Will Enemas Stop Diarrhea?

This morning I awoke with a bad case of diarrhea. Thought I might have caught the same bug my grandkids had last weekend. Anyway was checking on the Health-Information-fitness.com and enema-web.com websites and they both suggested a series of warm water enemas to clean out the bad bacteria and the Health- Information-fitness site recommended afterwards taking a yogurt retention enema to replace the bad bacteria so I am going to give it a try. I often take an enema series to clean myself out and did so a few days ago so I was surprised to have diarrhea today. I have take two enemas this morning so far and feel a little better. I am taking a break and then will take a third and will try the yogurt enema to see how it does.

The nursing manuals from years ago always mention saline enemas for diarrhea. Apparently it is a tried and true method. For constipation, soapsuds enemas were the preferred method. Those days were pretty drug free and making a comeback in today's world.

Thanks for the advice. Today I just did warm water enemas and am holding a yogurt retention enema now to see if I get some good bacteria working in there. If I continue to have issues, I will probably try some saline enemas to see if that helps.

I've had more than one doctor tell me the best treatment for diarrhea is to stay off solid food.

My first bad incident of diarrhea was about a day or 2 after a port call in the Philippines when I was just getting back to the daily routine at sea. I was praying to the porcelain god every 20 minutes until I had to go see the corpsman. It was my first port call outside the U.S. which the corpsman said diarrhea was a common problem advising me to stay off solid food. Drink lots of water, 7-up, gatoraid etc. and maybe a little jello. I told the corpsman it seemed odd to me since I was passing nothing liquid and he was telling me to drink lots of fluids. The corpsman told me that's just the standard treatment without offering a scientific explanation. I stayed with the plan best I could and eventually the diarrhea passed.

One day at work years later I couldn't stay off the pot for more than 15 minutes getting to the point where my anus was on fire. I went strait to the doctor after work and explained my symptoms. The doctor asked me if I had like a gurgling feeling in my stomach which I answered "yes exactly" The diagnosis was confident I had e-coli. The doctor went on to say we can't just put a plug in it advising me to stay off solid food, drink lots of clear liquids like water, 7-up, gatoraid etc. if I was hungry I could eat a minimum amount of soda crackers or plain white toast, no butter or jelly.

It all makes sense now that I remember over-eating that day, and the worst episodes on the toilet came shortly after eating. I can't say an enema will cure diarrhea by flushing out bacteria that's making you ill since I'm not a doctor, but I think your body combats offensive intestinal bacteria by producing a hormone that liquefies any solids in your digestive system thus causing diarrhea which triggers muscle spasms to rid your body of the offender.

I personally have had good luck stopping diarrhea by using baking soda enemas - 2 or 3 2500ml enemas and eating plain yogurt. This seems to stop diarrhea and settle my stomach.

Paulie, If I am not mistaken, I believe that a corn starch enema was the old school treatment for diarrhea.

Generally, an enema will stop most common diarrhea, but it depends on the cause of it.

A couple of years ago I had a bug of some sort that first caused nausea and vomiting. This was followed by terrible cramps and diarrhea. The doctor gave me a prescription for the cramps and said that whatever it was it was passing through my system and that now that it was in the intestine it would pass out of its own accord but we could probably move it along by taking one or two saline enemas. I took three. During the first two I was so uncomfortable they were strictly therapeutic. The treatment worked over a period of time- maybe an hour or a bit more. When I felt better but still weak I opted for the third enema. Good decision. After enema number three and a nap I felt fine.

I have used enemas for diarrhea many times and it worked for me

I take enemas for diarrhea as well as constipation. I find that it helps washing away the bad stuff and restore a normal intestinal flora. In the case of diarrhea, I end with a small squirt of yoghurt to help regenerate the bacteria that usually are depleted after a bout of diarrhea.

My mother used the baking soda enema's on me for Diarrhea. It worked every time. Its a tried and true remedy.

I always had them from my mother for diarrhea it always seemed to help even if I didn't think it at the time

I've always used enemas for stomach upsets. I suppose because in the days of enemas they were good for anything that ailed you. It took very little of a digestive issue for an enema to be administered

There are always exceptions but an enema is my first choice for diarrhea.

I almost never have diarrhea but when I do I will take one or more enemas. I only add baking soda to the water which seems to reduce the rectal discomfort from going and going and going. My experience is that enemas will shorten the duration of the diarrhea and perhaps provide some hydration.

I agree with Marty; in my experience it helps shorten the duration and certainly is a good way to rehydrate. For the irritation from going with liquid and acidic stool, I use prepH. They are oily and helps sooth the delicate tissues in that area. I also like to use them after series for the same reason.

I use enemas for solving diarrhea too! They work well.

Enemas make sense to help with the runs. The body is pulling fluids from the rest of the body into the large bowel to rinse out the culprits, be they viral, or bacterial. Filling the bowel with alkaline enema solution helps rinse out the bugs and stop the dehydration happening in the body. This will shorten the length of the loose bowels, stop the dehydration and soothe the colon and anus. Also, eating the BRAT diet that pediatricians prescribe for kids is wise. (Bananas, rice, apple sauce and toast) and drinking Gatorade or PowerAde.

Use one tablespoon of baking soda per quart of warm water is the proper solution to irrigate with.

I find the subject very interesting I didn't that enemas could cure or slow down diarrhea. Next time I will try a enema with baking soda to also soothe my rectum from the burn that comes with diarrhea. Thanks for posting.

Having grown up with lots of colon problems, a good enema does help in both ways. I have used them for diarrhea, as well as constipation. It's the cleaning effect, I guess. Anyway, to me enemas are not only good for the bowels, but fun. . .

Receiving an enema is not an easy thing to do during a case of diarrhea but it is surprisingly effective. When I was a kid growing up with Spina Bifida I got enemas all the time but it was the ones received while already running to the bathroom that were the most confusing until I realized how much it helped. Recently my girlfriend nurse had a really bad stomach bug and she reluctantly agreed to an enema, after days of 'going' she was stunned on how much was still insider her, minutes later she was almost giddy from feeling better. Her system returned to normal after that . . . . .

Yes it will flush out your system of the bad stuff.

The enema will not relieve or cure the cause of diarrhea

In the case of a diarrhea it will be the best to cleanse your bowels completely; for example in taking 2 oz castor oil.

I have always wondered about this. Great to know.

Be smart. Diarrhea can be serious, depending on the cause. There are good resources on this board, but to be totally safe call your doctor.

Good advice vicki

Depending on the cause of diarrhea an enema can be extremely effective.