Mineral Oil Enema

Proper bowel movements form an important part of healthy living. Bowel disorders like constipation, hemorrhoid, colitis, etc. are common in people who are die-hard lovers of junk foods or processed foods. Enema helps to detox the body from excess waste, that gets accumulated by consuming these foods. Enema is not only done for colon cleansing but also for weight loss programs. Mineral oil enema slows down the rate at which water is absorbed from the bowel. This results in the feces getting softer before it gets evacuated. The retaining period of this oil should be about 30 minutes in order to soften the stool. However, along with the benefits of mineral oil laxative, there are a number of side effects too.

Home Recipes for Mineral Oil Enema
Mineral oil enema or (mineral oil laxative) is a medical necessity and over-the-counter purchase can get quite expensive. Here are some easy and cost-effective tips for making your own mineral oil enema at home.

The first ingredient you need is mineral oil. Take two cups of it. Thereafter, add about 5 - 6 cups of filtered water to the oil. Stirring the mixture for a long time won't help in mixing the oil and water! So, stir it for a minute and then heat the mixture to about 102 - 103 degrees. You can use a microwave for heating or even a gas stove will do. Continue heating the mixture for sometime until it attains the required temperature. You can use a thermometer to keep a check on the temperature. After having heated the mixture, pour it into an enema bag and proceed with administering the mineral oil enema. The enema bag comes with a rectal tube which is required for the medication.

Some Considerations Before Administering Mineral Oil Enema
There are certain medical conditions that may react with mineral oil enema. So before administering mineral oil enema or in fact any kind of enema, the doctor must be informed about any medical condition that you might have. Expecting mothers or lactating mothers are advised to consult medical professionals before administering mineral oil enema. This even applies for those who are planning for a child.

You should also inform your doctor, if you are on any kind of other medicines or supplements and also in the event of any allergic reaction to foods, medicines or other substances. In case of incidents like, heart failure, stomach aches, nausea, vomiting, rectal bleeding, kidney problems or any kind of medical disorders, you should seek medical advice before using mineral oil enema.

Use of mineral oil enema may result in severe side effects if you are allergic to any ingredient in the enema or if you are bedridden. Having appendicitis or intestinal blockage also prohibits the use of mineral oil enema.

Side Effects of Mineral Oil Enema
People using mineral oil enema may suffer from common side effects like bloating, gas and diarrhea. Stomach cramps and nausea may also show up in some cases. Many people have been known to suffer from severe side effects associated with allergic reactions. These include developing rash and hives and difficulty in breathing. Tightness in the chest, swelling of the lips, mouth or tongue are also signs of severe allergic reactions due to mineral oil enema. Other side effects include disturbed bowel movement within 6 to 8 hours, even after taking mineral oil enema and feeling of dizziness. The person may also feel weak along with muscle cramps or pain in the muscles. Fainting, rectal bleeding, swelling and irritation are also the possible side effects.

To conclude, mineral oil enema is an effective medicine for colon cleansing. However, the indiscriminate use of mineral oil as laxative should be avoided as its use brings or may bring mild or severe side effects to the users. The above list of side effects are among the many other side effects and reactions that mineral oil enema may produce after its use. So it is really important to consult a qualified medical personnel regarding the use and dosage of mineral oil enema.