Enemas and Suppositories
Enemas induce evacuation as a response to colonic distension
as well as by plain lavage. Enemas given three
times a day to nursing home residents did not increase
their baseline slow intestinal transit times.58 The multiple
active components of some small volume enemas also
irritate the rectal mucosa and cause release of electrolytes
and water, further increasing rectal distension. Paraffin
and glycerol suppositories soften and lubricate
faece.