Korean J Med.
2015 Jan;88(1):15-21. 10.3904/kjm.2015.88.1.15.
Local Management of Constipation: Enemas, Suppositories
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea. dreun@dankook.ac.kr
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 4Institute for Digestive Research, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 8Department of Gastroenterology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- 9Department of Internal Medicine, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
- 10Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Disease Research Institute, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.
- KMID: 2269164
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2015.88.1.15
Abstract
- The treatment for constipation should be individualized and dependent on the cause, coexisting morbidities, and patient's cognitive status. Although most cases of constipation respond to conservative treatment, including dietary and life-style changes, or mild laxatives, some patients still complain of consistent symptoms and need an assessment of defecatory dysfunction. There is insufficient evidence to support the use of enemas in chronic constipation, although many clinicians and patients find them useful and effective for the treatment of fecal impaction when used with other modalities. In addition, suppositories can be considered as an initial trial for the treatment of defecatory dysfunction, since they help to initiate or facilitate rectal evacuation. The routine use of enemas is typically discouraged, especially sodium phosphate enemas, although tap-water enemas seem safe for more regular use. Soapsuds enemas are not recommended due to possible rectal mucosal damage.
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