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Whole bowel irrigation is sometimes used prior to colonoscopy, bowel surgery, other abdominal/pelvic surgery, or a barium enema examination, to cleanse the intestines, enhancing visibility of the intestines' inner surfaces, preventing complications from occurring as a result of spillage of bowel contents into the abdominal cavity, and potentially providing other benefits depending on the type ...
A colonoscopy is considered the best way to screen for colon cancer because it allows doctors to remove polyps — small growths in the colon — before they potentially turn cancerous.
Soapsuds enema is a frequently used synonym for a large volume enema (although soap is not necessary for effectivity). [ 5 ] For relieving occasional constipation, a large volume enema may be used in a home setting, although for recurring or severe cases of constipation medical care may be required.
Colonic irrigation, also known as colon hydrotherapy, colonic hydrotherapy, or a "colonic", is a treatment which is used "to wash out the contents of the large bowel by means of copious enemas using water or other medication." [19] During a cleansing enema, liquid is introduced into the colon and retained for five to fifteen minutes. [20]
Transanal irrigation uses a large volume water enema system. [2] It is carried out every day (or every 2 days) by the patient or carer as a long term management for bowel dysfunction, including fecal incontinence and/or constipation (especially obstructed defecation ).
Enemas (such as hyperosmotic saline) and suppositories (such as glycerine suppositories) work by increasing water content and stimulating peristalsis to aid in expulsion, and both work much more quickly than oral laxatives. Because enemas work in 2–15 minutes, they do not allow sufficient time for a large fecal mass to soften.
As the enema enters the body, the individual might have the sensation that they need to have a bowel movement. The barium sulfate, a radiodense (shows as white on X-ray) contrast medium, flows through the rectum into the colon. A large balloon at the tip of the enema tube may be inflated to help keep the barium sulfate inside.
Routine use of colonoscopy screening varies globally. In the US, colonoscopy is a commonly recommended and widely utilized screening method for colorectal cancer, often beginning at age 45 or 50, depending on risk factors and guidelines from organizations like the American Cancer Society. [9] However, screening practices differ worldwide.