What is the difference between colonic and enema

Colon cleansing involves flushing out waste from your colon the large intestine using fluids. Colonics and enemas are both common methods of colon cleansing. They have a lot of similarities but also some key differences. Also called colonic hydrotherapy or colonic irrigation, this practice is often touted as offering certain health benefits, it lacks scientific backing.

These methods are, however, used to prepare you for some diagnostic exams and other procedures. The reasons people use colon cleanses can be separated into two categories:. Medical uses of a colon cleanse, and especially an enema, include:.

When you use a cleanse for these purposes, be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Overuse of enemas can interfere with the proper function of your colon and actually make constipation worse.

In popular use, colon cleanses are purported to have all kinds of benefits, including some related to intestinal health and others having nothing to do with it. So far, none of these claims are backed by scientific evidence and they're refuted by some research. Proponents of colon cleanses say they're beneficial for:. Not only are claims regarding cleanses unproven, healthcare providers say your body already does a good job of clearing out toxins and waste on its own.

After all, entire systems are dedicated to just that, and as long as they're functioning properly, it's best to leave the job to them. Colon cleanses come in many forms in addition to colonics and enemas, including:. Keep in mind, however, that none of these methods are recommended by health authorities and you should always consult with your healthcare provider before doing them.

Enemas involve a one-time infusion of water into the colon. By contrast, colonics involve multiple infusions. What's more, the main objective of an enema is to evacuate the lower colon, while colonics are meant to cleanse a larger portion of the bowel. Perhaps the single most important distinction is that a colonic infers the use of specialized equipment administered by a trained hydrotherapist, while an enema can be performed by medical personnel or at home with a do-it-yourself kit purchased over the counter.

Colonic irrigation is intended for medically indicated colon cleansing for example, before a radiological examination. It usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. During the procedure, you lie face up and the hydrotherapist inserts a disposable speculum into your anus.

This speculum is connected to a long disposable plastic hose, which is in turn connected to the colon hydrotherapy unit. The unit sends warm water into your colon, and the pressure promotes a reflexive contraction of the colon muscles, called peristalsis.

This forces waste out of the colon, back through the hose, and into a closed disposal system. Often performed in the bathroom, enemas typically involve lying on your back and inserting the enema kit's nozzle several inches into the anus. This nozzle is connected to a tube that leads to a container holding the fluid for the infusion.

Releasing the tube's clamp initiates the flow of fluid into the rectum and stimulates peristalsis. The therapist and client does not smell the fecal matter during the session. It sits in the lower part of the colon for a period of time, and then the person sits on the toilet. Disposable enema kits are available in drugstores and online.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. How often should you have a colonic? After that, every client is unique," advises Vernon. Obviously, the year-old who's bowels open twice a day is very different to the year-old who goes three times a week.

Do enemas cleanse the colon? What's more, the main objective of an enema is to evacuate the lower colon, while colonics are meant to cleanse a larger portion of the bowel. Can you enema too much? There are some risks when using an enema: Using too much liquid: In this case, the body may hold some liquid in and release it without warning. Stretching the bowel: This increases the chance of perforation, which is a risk when the lining of the colon is torn.

It can cause the colon's contents to leak into the body. How much weight can you lose with a colon cleanse? Colon cleansing has the potential to aid weight loss; some people claim to have lost up to 20 pounds over the course of a month. The average human colon weighs about four pounds empty and can hold up to eight meals' worth of food before digestion finally occurs.

Can you give yourself a fleet enema? With steady pressure, gently insert enema tip into the rectum with a slight side-to-side movement, pointing the tip toward the navel. An enema is a mini version of a colonic that that you can do in the privacy of your own home, choose the ingredients and travel with wherever you like. An enema is flexible, versatile and provides quick relief to bloating, gas, constipation and abdominal discomfort. One releases the contents or fill from an enema on the toilet.

A Happy Bum Bag enema kit is reusable and can be washed out for regular use. A two litre enema bag will cleanse the lower part of your colon but will not clear the same amount of toxicity and waste as a colon hydrotherapy treatment.

A colonic is like a continuous enema where the water comes in but then the waste gets released through an outlet hose so the person does not have to get off the treatment table to release.