I"m constipated. Is an enema twice a week bad for me?

Question

Are suppositories better ?

Answer 1

You need to work on taking care of the constipation. Use a fiber supplement 2-3 times a day and a stool softener such as Colace aka docusate to keep your stools soft. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Add prunes or prune juice to your daily routine. You need to sit on the toilet for 5 minutes every morning after eating breakfast whether you have a BM or not. If you have not had a BM by the third day then use a suppository. You may also want to consider seeing your doc for prescription medication like lactulose help.

Answer 2

Yes, an enema twice a week is bad for you. That only cleans out the lower level of the colon. If this is chronic condition, you need to see a gastroenterologist. They can run tests to see if there is a problem like IBS or a "sluggish" bowel.

Chances are improving your diet will help. Take fiber supplements if you don't eat fruits and vegetables. Just eating an apple a day will make a big difference! As someone who hates veggies... I take supplements. Also, the amount of water you drink has a big impact on the bowels. You may need to increase non-caffinated beverages. Caffeine has a diuretic effect and removes water from the bowels and can leave you constipated.

A sluggish bowel is one in which the muscles are not contracting in the colon properly and the waste is not being pushed through correctly. This can cause toxins to be released into your system. (not good!). You could also have some form of blockage or impaction someone in your system that needs to be addressed. This is why the enemas are not good for you. It leaves the toxin higher up in the upper colon and you aren't flushing the system.

Not to scare you, but you could have a tumor in there. Its probably not that, but if you take some fiber supplements, improve your diet and drink more fluids and still don't get any relief, I would definitely have some tests run.

Since you seem to have been backed up for awhile, I would recommend a product called "Squeaky Clean" by Future Formulation, Inc. You can get it at your local pharmacy. I would also recommend getting some pro-biotics. These restore natural enzymes back into your system that help break down waste. You can also ask your pharmacist for them. They will be refrigerated so they wont be on the shelf. Flax seed oil can help too. All of this stuff is over the counter, not prescription. You can probably get it all at a health food store too, but I like being able to talk to the pharmacist. You get a better grade of stuff from them.

Answer 3

You shouldn't be doing EITHER. They are both bad for you. Obviously, something is wrong if you are not able to go on your own. You have to see the doctor. You will become dependent on laxatives, enemas, suppositories if you continue to use them and you won't be able to go without them.

Improve your diet, too. That's one of the first things the doctor is going to tell you. MORE FIBER. You can use Metamucil or any other high fiber powder. Those are fine.

Answer 4

I think enemas are probably less traumatic to your system because they don't cause such intense cramping. I work in a nursing home and most residents have orders for every third day if needed. Why don't you try a oral laxative or stool softener before resorting to enemas. You could also increase your fluid intake, especially prune juice. They also make a laxative tea.

Answer 5

Enemas are better. See site below for more on enemas. The home page tells about a healthy diet where you will not get constipated and not need enemas.

http://www.phifoundation.org/enemas.html

Answer 6

You should actually increase your fiber intake in your diet. Start by eating things that are naturally high in fiber like: prunes,raisins,dates or wheat/bran products.You could even start taking fiber supplements,but you don't want to take enemas that often because you could grow dependent on them and do more harm than good in the long run.Go to a doctor and get checked out.

Answer 7

yes you can get depended on them, try using kristalose powder, its a stool softner that really works. you can use it in coffee or half a glass of drink and it works fast. ive been using it for awhile.