Enemas Versus Laxatives
Question: Would it be safer to use enemas than laxatives?
Would it be safer to use enemas than laxatives? It seems like a saline enema would be less likely to cause major side effects.
Answer: Enemas are not used to replace laxatives. Enemas are used in patients who have demonstrated that they suffer from fecal incontinence.
Enemas are not used to replace laxatives. Enemas are used in patients who have demonstrated that they suffer from fecal incontinence.
A saline enema is the most natural way to clean the rectosigmoid, but many times it is not powerful enough to achieve its goal and phosphate, more salt or other substances are added.
Laxatives are indicated in patients with a potential for bowel control that need help to improve the colon's motility. We never use a combination of laxatives and enemas.
However, we respect very much the concept of "quality of life." Therefore, if a patient prefers to receive an enema, rather than taking laxatives, to treat constipation, we do not interfere with his or her desire. However, the overwhelming majority of patients prefer laxatives.
For more information or to request an appointment, please contact the Colorectal Center at Cincinnati Children's.
