How to use fleet enema? Detailed instructions
In a society of greasy fast food, stress and high anxiety, constipation and other stomach ailments are not uncommon. Constipation can become an irritating problem as the feeling of stuck up affects our entire day. Although it is best to try to solve constipation problems through changes in one’s diet, there are times when an over-the-counter or prescription constipation relief product may be needed for temporary relief. Sometimes important to know how to use fleet enema. Fleet enemas are usually recommended when other methods of treating constipation fail. It works effectively and immediately to provide relief from the symptoms of constipation.
Contents
About Fleet enema
Fleet enema is a saline laxative that works by absorbing water into the colon. This helps in softening the stool mass and increasing bowel action. This form of laxative promotes bowel movements and relieves constipation. It is considered as the most powerful enema, and therefore is prescribed with caution.
When is fleet enema used?
Fleet enema works as lubricant laxative to reduce the absorption of water in the bowels. This saline enema is basically used in following conditions:
- To relieve constipation
- To promote bowel motions before rectal examination
- To prepare for endoscopy
- To prepare for surgery
- To treat impacted bowels
- To prepare for x-rays
- To cleanse the bowels after barium enema
What does fleet enema consist of?
The main ingredients of fleet enema include salt- monobasic sodium phoshate monohydrate and dibasic sodium phosphate. The other inactive ingredients include disodium EDTA, benzalkonium chloride and purified water.
How does fleet enema work?
Fleet enema is a saline lubricant that works in two different ways to cleanse your bowels.
- It helps in drawing water into the gastrointestinal tract or colon. Increased water in the colon adds moisture to the dry, hard stools that are difficult to eliminate from the body. Water softens the stool, making it easier to pass through the rectum.
- Another way in which fleet enema works is by increasing rhythmic movements of the intestines. One of the main reason of constipation is the sluggish bowel motion. Fleet enema stimulates rectal motility and facilitates fecal elimination.
How to use fleet enema?
Fleet enema is simple to use and can be easily used at home. All you have to do is follow the instructions mentioned on the label. Fleet Phosphate enema comes with a nozzle and a disposable squeeze bag. The usual dose of sodium phosphate is 120 ml in adults. This has to be administered rectally as one single dose. The recommended dose in children (2 to 12 years) is 60 ml administered in one single dose. To lessen the pressure felt in your colon, empty your bladder before you begin the enema. Follow the below mentioned steps to administer fleet enema safely and correctly:
STEP 1. Wash your hands with clean water and soap thoroughly. Wipe them with a clean cloth.
STEP 2. To use this enema, lie down on your left side or in a knee chest position. Hug your knees to your chest while lying on your stomach. This is the most convenient position for the solution to reach the colon.
STEP 3. Remove the cap of the applicator and apply the solution rectally. The tip of the applicator is lubricated with petroleum jelly to facilitate insertion.
STEP 4. Do not force the enema tip into the rectum as it may cause injury.
STEP 5. Now, squeeze the bottle until all the liquid is gone. Wait till all the liquid is entered in your rectum and breath deeply.
STEP 6. Once the bottle is empty, remove the tip from the rectum gradually.
STEP 7. Maintain the position until the urge to defecate is strong.
How long does it take for fleet enema to show results?
Fleet enema is one of the most powerful enemas. It usually takes two to five minutes to feel the strong urge to evacuate.
Some Popular Fleet Enema Products
There are a wide number of fleet enema products that you buy in the online store or from a local drugstore. Some of the most prominent ones include:
Fleet Enema Saline, Ready to Use
This is by far the most popular fleet enema laxative on Amazon and also the one that is most widely available. It is offered in a number of different packs, with quantities and amounts ranging from a single 4.5 oz pack to packs of 6. This laxative is widely trusted and is currently number 4 on Amazon’s best-selling enema products.
The fleet saline enema offers a number of different advantages that are highly important for people suffering from constipation. The general promise given by Fleet for its products relays that each administration of the enema provides relief in just 1-5 minutes. Furthermore, all of the Fleet enema products are latex and gluten free, with every single one of them being administered rectally. Furthermore, it is also seen as a cost-effective solution to constipation relief, with a single bottle of Fleet enema being quite cheap and proving to be highly helpful in providing relief.
There are no disadvantages in the product itself. It is not just helpful, but also affordable. However, the shipping of Fleet Enema from Amazon is often suspect. Furthermore, the salts used inside the Fleet Enema saline laxative might prove to be harmful if you have kidney disease.
Fleet Stimulated Laxative Bisacodyl Enema
This Fleet enema product has been specifically developed to be sodium phosphate free. It works the same way as the regular saline enema, but it lacks a key salt that can be harmful for people who are experiencing kidney disease or heart disease. Hence, if regular Fleet enema is not the correct option for you due to its high salt content, you can go for the Bisacodyl option.
While bisacodyl Fleet enema is a good option for people who cannot use the regular product, its issues involve the time it takes to provide relief. Bisacodyl enema takes between 6 to 15 minutes in order to provide constipation relief, which makes it far more than the regular saline enema. Furthermore, bisacodyl fleet enema is also not as thorough as the regular saline option.
Fleet Adult Glycerin Suppositories
This solution for constipation is different from regular enema due to the fact that it uses glycerin as its main active ingredient rather than a mixture of different salts like saline enema does. Just like saline enema, it is administered through the rectum and helps deal with constipation. However, it’s efficiency and response time are not similar.
Fleet Adult Glycerin Suppositories are highly inconsistent in their performance. They can provide relief any time during a period of 15 to 60 minutes, sometimes breaking the trend and even working right after 10 minutes. Hence, they are a far slower option than saline enema.
However, this product is still great for people who cannot afford to risk usage of salts such as sodium phosphate and benzalkonium chloride. Hence, while it may not be as quick or efficient as regular saline enema, it is a safer option when it comes to curing constipation issues.
Fleet Pedia-Lax Enema, For Children
This Fleet enema is saline, but has been expertly crafted for children’s bowels. It is not as sharp in its effect as regular saline enema, and gives children an ideal solution for constipation. It works fast and is able to solve all kinds of constipation issues faced by children, no matter what the extent.
However, you need to make sure that your child does not have any allergies to the ingredients of the enema, since a reaction would not just be harmful, it would also be extreme. The Fleet Pedia-Lax enema for children is great for children of ages 2 till 11, with the only downside to it being the fact that it is a little pricey.
Fleet Mineral Oil Enema, Lubricant Laxative
This lubricant is a laxative that utilizes the properties of mineral oil to provide relief from constipation. The mineral oil softens the stool and makes the bowels more active, giving them what they need to not just egest, but also to get rid of constipation for a while.
Hence, if you are looking for a laxative that is not saline and helps with fecal impaction, Fleet mineral oil enema is able to provide you with the relief you need.
What are the types of fleet enema?
Fleet enemas are available in three major types:
- Fleet adult enema
- Fleet child pediatric enema
- Fleet mineral oil enema
What are the health concerns regarding enemas?
Fleet enemas work as hyper-osmotic laxative that absorbs water into the gastrointestinal tract. In healthy patients, single dose of fleet enema will not cause any problem. The enemas start working immediately and the effects are noticed within 5 to 10 minutes. This limits the risk of phosphate toxicity as the enema fluid is eliminated with the stool.
However, fleet enemas when not evacuated completely from the body, can be dangerous. According to a recent publication by Yaacov Ori and colleagues titled “Fatalities and Severe Metabolic Disorders Associated With the Use of Sodium Phosphate Enemas”, great caution should be taken when prescribing Fleet enemas in old and frail population and those on certain medications.The risks associated with the use of phosphate enemas include phosphate absorption in the body due to inadequate evacuation from the body, hyperphosphotaemia and dehydration. Therefore, it’s use is limited in people with renal and heart conditions. Fleet enemas are restricted in children and elderly people.
What are the contraindications for fleet enemas?
Fleet enemas should not be used in people who:
- have appendicitis
- are allergic to sodium phosphate or other ingredients in fleet enema
- have high blood pressure or any heart disease
- are suffering from kidney diseases
- have ulcerative colitis or rectal bleeding
- have intestinal blockage
- are above the age of 55
- are on medications that may affect kidney function (this includes diuretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like ibobrufen, aspirin and naproxen
There is no doubt that enemas provide immediate relief to the frustrating problem of constipation. However, as they are associated with various side effects, they should be used with caution. Frequent use of enemas is associated with damage to rectum and colon. As mentioned above, fleet enema is the most powerful type of enema and should be given in precise dose as mentioned on the label.
