Colon Cleanse Vs Enema

It may not be readily apparent, but there really is a difference between cleansing the colon and an enema. An enema is simply a method of loosening stools in the colon for elimination whereas cleansing the colon normally refers to cleansing the entire digestive tract. Also, cleansing the colon can be accomplished in a number of ways but an enema is achieved by administering water to the colon through the rectum. Choosing a colon cleanse vs. enema really involves determining which part of the intestinal tract needs to be cleansed, what the purpose is for cleansing and whether or not an invasive procedure is called for.

Colon Cleanse Vs. Enema: Purpose and Location of Cleansing

When trying to decide on a colon cleanse vs. enema for constipation, it really is vital to determine if the individual is constipated or if regularity is impaired due to improper digestion of foods. Sometimes waste is impacted in the colon, in which case any method of cleansing would be beneficial. Other times digestion is impaired because something either destroyed or eliminated the friendly intestinal flora that are vital to digestion and they need to be repopulated. In this case, a colon cleansing supplement that contains a good probiotic compound would be effective whereas an enema just wouldn’t suffice. Irregularity can also be the result of improper digestion due to impacted matter in the upper intestines. Here too, an enema wouldn’t be useful in the least. Hydrotherapy or Colonic Irrigation, as it is often called, could be beneficial in cleansing the entire digestive tract but water from an enema wouldn’t reach that far up the tract.

Colon Cleanse Vs. Enema: Invasive or Noninvasive

Colon cleansing can be either invasive or noninvasive, but an enema or colonic irrigation, by their very nature, are always invasive. Colonic irrigation reaches much further up into the intestines and should only be administered by a qualified, licensed professional whereas an enema can be self-administered. A colon cleanse can also be noninvasive by dietary supplementation, cleansing foods, juicing and water fasting to mention a few. In years gone by cleansing was popular through enemas and irrigation but today many people are uncomfortable with such invasive measures. Colon cleansing supplements and dietary solutions are much more common in the 21st Century. When given a choice between colon cleanse vs. enema, the average person would choose the latter.

Today most families don’t even have an enema in their medicine chest so if that is the choice that wins out in colon cleanse vs. enema, it is quite likely that one would need to be purchased. They can be ordered online, however, if constipation needs relief then that wouldn’t be practical. Many pharmacies still stock them, but here again, since enemas are not used much these days it might take shopping at several retailers before one is located. Sometimes they are just handy to keep around because an enema can also be used with cooler (not cold) water to quickly bring down a child’s fever if it is running dangerously high. Even if there is no intention of using the enema to cleanse the colon, it doesn’t hurt to keep one in the closet.