An enema (; plural enemata or enemas) or clyster, is a fluid injected into the lower bowel by way of the rectum. The most frequent use of an enema is as a cleansing enema (also called a soapsuds enema) which is given to relieve constipation or for bowel cleansing before a medical examination or procedure. In standard medicine an enema may also be employed as a lower gastrointestinal series (also called a barium enema), to check diarrhea, as a vehicle for the administration of food, water or medicine, as a stimulant to the general system, as a local application and, more rarely, as a means of reducing temperature as treatment for encopresis, and as rehydration therapy (proctoclysis) in patients for whom intravenous therapy is not applicable. Enemas have been used as part of some alternative health therapies. They are also used to administer certain medical or recreational drugs and for other purposes.