Childhood diarrhea is a common symptom that parents encounter as their children grow and develop. Therefore, it is important to know how to quickly and effectively provide first aid. Enterosgel for diarrhea in a child is a drug that should be in every home. It is safe to use, does not cause side effects, and helps to quickly eliminate diarrhea.
How does Enterosgel work?
Diarrhea is an unpleasant symptom that can occur at inconvenient times in adults and children. There is a disruption in the functioning of the digestive system.
When using the drug, the active substance (polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate) absorbs harmful compounds. The paste is eliminated from the body naturally. The gel acts on toxic substances and pathogenic microorganisms. The product absorbs and removes bilirubin from the body in case of problems with the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
The gel has no effect on the mucous membrane and does not penetrate organ tissue. Has a detoxifying effect. The drug has an adsorbing effect on the list of hazardous compounds:
- Poisons.
- Medications.
- Bacteria and their metabolic products.
- Toxins of various origins.
- Salts of heavy metals.
- Food substances that cause allergies.
- Alcohol, poisonous compounds contained in it.
- Excess cholesterol.
Acting on harmful substances, the paste does not disrupt the intestinal microflora and does not affect the absorption of microelements and vitamins.
The drug is completely eliminated from the body within 12 hours.
Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics
Enterosgel has a reticular and porous structure. Since polycondensation is incomplete, the reaction product contains free silanol groups, which are responsible for the hydrophilic properties of enterosgel. On the other hand, due to the methyl groups contained, the polymer also has lipophilic properties. PMS is a homogeneous, odorless, pasty white mass.
Due to the fine-grained size of the formed nanoparticles, PMS has a high specific surface area of up to 300 m, so it acts similarly to activated carbon or clay minerals. Compared to activated carbon, PMS has a lower sorption capacity.
Indications for use
Enterosgel is produced in the form of a gel (paste). The product is odorless and has a sweet taste. Instructions for use are included with the sorbent.
The drug is used to treat:
- Poisoning: food, medication, alcohol.
- If you are allergic to food additives or substances contained in medications.
- For diarrhea.
- Kidney failure. The paste removes excess urea.
- Treatment of purulent-septic diseases.
- Removes excess bilirubin (liver disease).
- Various problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Restores intestinal function after taking antibiotics.
- Prevention of heavy metal poisoning.
The gel is used to treat diseases associated with indigestion.
It is allowed to be used by women during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and children from birth.
Diarrhea in the first trimester
Expecting a child is always associated with hormonal changes in the female body. Diarrhea in the first weeks of pregnancy is quite common.
In fairness, it is worth noting that not only this symptom can be a sign of pregnancy. More often, sudden vomiting, nausea and diarrhea are a “hint” for the mother about the birth of a new life. During pregnancy, this trinity is a sign of early toxicosis. Symptoms appear for no particular reason and at different times of the day.
Another sign of pregnancy before your missed period is increased sensitivity to odors.
In the early stages of pregnancy before the delay, a woman also notices fatigue, increased sensitivity of the mammary glands, slight discharge, and sometimes a stomach ache. In the first week of pregnancy, body temperature rises to 37°C. This is due to an increase in the level of the hormone progesterone.
Diarrhea in the first weeks of pregnancy may be associated with changes in taste preferences and unusual food combinations. For example, she is 5 weeks pregnant and a woman happily eats both sausage with orange and pickled cucumber with raspberry jam. And before pregnancy, she would never have agreed to such a food “extreme”.
During the period of metamorphosis, the female body can be unpredictable!
If diarrhea appears in the first trimester of pregnancy, do not forget about reasons such as food poisoning, acute intestinal infection or exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system, such as gastritis.
Is diarrhea dangerous during early pregnancy?
Treatment should be started in consultation with your doctor. Especially if diarrhea is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. At 3-5 weeks of pregnancy, frequent contractions of the colon can increase the tone of the uterus and pose a threat of miscarriage.
Enterosgel for diarrhea
Diarrhea, depending on the nature of its occurrence, can be infectious or non-infectious. This disrupts the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and digestive system. The person’s health deteriorates and there is a frequent urge to go to the toilet.
Severe diarrhea is dangerous because it leads to dehydration if treatment is not started in a timely manner. An abundance of fluid, useful compounds, and microelements are removed from the body, and the water-salt balance is disrupted.
Intestinal infections quickly affect the body. A person may notice the first signs: headaches, fever, weakness. Pain, abdominal cramps, increased gas formation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea gradually appear. Spreading pathogenic microorganisms disrupt the mucous membrane, the microflora of the stomach, and lead to a malfunction of the digestive system. The waste products of bacteria poison the human body.
Viruses (enterovirus, rotavirus), microbes, bacteria (salmonella, E. coli) can cause serious harm to health or pose a danger to life. Children under 5 years of age often have intestinal diseases that cause loose stools.
A doctor can determine the cause of diarrhea after collecting tests and the patient’s medical history. Afterwards, medication treatment is prescribed.
A person can provide first aid in the fight against diarrhea independently. You are supposed to drink more fluids. Follow the diet menu. Take Enterosgel. The product reduces nausea, restores the stomach, and relieves diarrhea. Pathogenic microorganisms and toxic substances are removed from the body along with the sorbent. If you start taking enterosorbent at the first sign of diarrhea, you will be able to cope with the disease faster.
The child is offered the paste after consultation with a pediatrician.
It is impossible to treat diarrhea with a single sorbent. It is necessary to find out the source of the disease and begin comprehensive treatment.
Before using the product, read the instructions. It is important to follow the dosage to achieve a positive result.
Contraindications for use and side effects
There are no absolute contraindications. The paste is allowed for children from birth and women during pregnancy and lactation.
Enterosgel is not recommended for use in case of individual intolerance to the components or intestinal atony.
When using the drug, side effects such as constipation and nausea are possible. If a person suffers from kidney failure, an aversion to the sorbent develops. If other medications are used simultaneously with the drug, their absorption and effect on the body is reduced.
Features of use by children, pregnant, lactating women and the elderly
The instructions for use clearly state that, due to its safe composition and action, the medicine can be used even by infants - children from birth to 1 year.
During pregnancy, doctors try to prescribe as few medications as possible so as not to harm the fetus. Enterosgel is a medicine that can be safely prescribed to pregnant women. It helps relieve such unpleasant phenomena as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, odor intolerance and aversion to food during early and late toxicosis (preeclampsia).
How to use
Enterosgel is available without a prescription. You can buy it yourself to treat the first signs of indigestion.
It is important to take the sorbent according to the dosage rules.
The drug is taken 60 minutes before meals, possibly washed down with water.
For adults with diarrhea, it is recommended to take 1.5 tablespoons (if the sorbent is packaged, one package) three times a day.
For children, the dosage is calculated as follows:
- For infants 0-12 months, dilute 2.5 ml with breast milk or water in a ratio of 1:3. Offer before feedings (6 times a day).
- From 1 to 5 years, half a tablespoon in the morning, afternoon, evening.
- Children 5 years – 14 years – 1 tablespoon every 4 hours.
The child must take the sorbent under parental supervision. Enterosorbent is not toxic, but is a medicinal product.
When used correctly, the paste begins to help within an hour after ingestion.
In case of severe poisoning, the single dose is doubled. The gel is diluted in water per tablespoon of the drug - 3 tablespoons of water.
The course of treatment with Enterosgel is 5 days. On the first day, the patient's condition improves. The stomach begins to work, the number of bowel movements decreases. Repeated treatment with the drug should be started after the doctor’s recommendation.
There were no cases of overdose. The medicine is stored out of the reach of children. The drug can be stored in the refrigerator, but it is not advisable to freeze it; after freezing, the paste loses its original properties.
The drug is used in complex treatment with other medications, subject to temporary breaks. It is recommended to take a break of 2 hours before taking medications.
Look carefully at the year and date of manufacture. After the specified date, use for treatment is prohibited.
Prices depend on the volume of the tube. Approximately 185 – 435 rubles.
Instructions for use
For diarrhea
The medicine is given to children up to three times a day. The frequency of taking the drug and the dose per dose depend on the age and severity of the disease.
Babies under one year old are given half a teaspoon of the product, diluted in breast milk or formula. You will learn more about the use of the drug for newborns in a separate article.
For a child under 5 years of age, the dose of the drug is 0.5 tbsp. spoons.
Children over 5 years of age but under 14 should take one tablespoon of medication at a time.
Due to severe infection, the dose of the drug may be doubled. Before use, Enterosgel must be mixed with water in a ratio of 1:3.
The result of the treatment will be noticeable the very next day after starting to take the gel.
The duration of treatment with Enterosgel for diarrhea in a child depends on the specific case. If the infectious disease is relatively mild, then treatment can last 5 days.
If the course of the disease turns out to be severe, then taking the drug can last up to 10 days .
It should not be taken simultaneously with food; between doses you need to take a break of about 1.5 hours.
The simultaneous use of this drug with other medications is contraindicated, since the sorbent neutralizes their effect.
For constipation
The duration of treatment ranges from 5 days to two weeks. The prescribed doses are similar to those prescribed for diarrhea.
Infants are given 0.5 teaspoon diluted in 1.5 tsp. liquids, such as milk or water. From one to 5 years, the dose increases to half a tbsp. spoons.
Then, up to 14 years of age, one tablespoon of gel is recommended per dose. Older children can take the product without dilution, but it should be taken with plenty of liquid.
The expected effect will be noticeable the very next day . However, to consolidate the result, it is advisable to continue the treatment.
If Enterosgel is taken together with drugs such as Duphalac, then it will be possible to restore stool faster. An enema can be used instead of a laxative for children.
If the doctor has prescribed any other medications, you should drink them no earlier than an hour and a half after the sorbent.
More useful information on the following topics:
- Inexpensive and effective analogues of Enterosgel for children of all ages.
- Rules for taking the drug for rotavirus in children.
- Effect of Enterosgel on vomiting in a child.
- Smecta - description, composition and indications for use.
- Kinder Biovital is a safe multivitamin gel for your beloved children.
Enterosgel analogue
If you do not find Enterosgel, replace it with alternative sorbents. One of the well-known ones is activated carbon. Sold in every pharmacy.
To restore the gastrointestinal tract, you can use Polysorb, Neosorb, Sorbex, etc. The drugs have a similar pharmacological effect for diarrhea.
Choose sorbents for indigestion after consulting your doctor. Each sorbent has its own active ingredient, dosage, indications for use, contraindications.
Causes of diarrhea, its symptoms
There are several reasons that can cause diarrhea:
- intolerance to any product or medication;
- stress leading to irritable bowel syndrome;
- taking antibiotics and anticancer drugs that cause disruption of the intestinal microflora;
- ingesting exotic bacteria or eating exotic fruits while traveling;
- intoxication due to consumption of poor quality food;
- allergy;
- enzyme or lactose deficiency.
It can also serve as a signal about the presence of any disease: acute or chronic pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, colitis, gastritis, malignant or benign tumor, infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cholera, salmonellosis, HIV, Crohn's disease, typhoid fever, dysentery, tuberculosis, syphilis.
The mechanism of diarrhea formation is reduced to the dilution of feces by inflammatory exudate (liquid released from small blood vessels into the tissues and cavities of the body during inflammation), the accumulation of fluid in the intestinal lumen due to the occurrence of malabsorption, and the accelerated passage of contents through the intestines.
The main symptoms are repeated profuse loose stools, severe pain in the abdomen, remains of undigested food and mucus in the stool.
In more severe forms of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, high fever, colic, and blood in the stool may appear.
Reviews about the drug
Enterosgel is a new generation sorbent that actively helps fight stomach diseases with disorders of various origins, vomiting, and diarrhea. The drug has almost no contraindications or side effects on the body.
There are a large number of positive reviews on the Internet after Enterosgel in the fight against diarrhea, both for children and adults.
There are people for whom the drug does not help; they did not notice the desired effect when treating loose stools. A review of a drug is a subjective assessment. Therefore, you should not rely only on the opinions of strangers, without consulting a doctor.
The effectiveness of use for various stomach diseases has been proven. The use of the drug improves well-being, helps in the first hours to independently cope with diarrhea, cleanse the body of toxins and pathogens.
Reviews on the Internet
Reviews on the Internet indicate that the use of the drug significantly improves health when treating various diseases in the shortest possible time. For example, enterosgel for children with allergic reactions and bronchial asthma brings a noticeable improvement in the condition on the 3rd day of use, and after 2 weeks - restoration of normal breathing. Bloating, abdominal pain, and stool disorders disappear on the 4th or 5th day. There are many reviews about how the medicine helped during trips to exotic countries, especially to Asian countries with their food that is unusual for us. Many note the absence of side effects when taking it.
There are also reviews about how the product helped when used in cases not specified in the instructions: when applied to the skin to relieve sunburn, relieve hangovers, when taken orally during recurrent urticaria, etc.
It is safe to say that the unique properties of enterosgel make it an indispensable product that must be stored in every first aid kit.
It can help both children and adults, as well as pregnant, lactating women and the elderly with a wide variety of ailments and diseases.