Published 03/12/2019 · Comments: · Reading time: 4 min · Views: Post Views: 2,444
The abundance of drugs used for stool retention allows you to choose a drug to suit every taste. One of the proven remedies remains Vaseline oil, the use of which for constipation is allowed for adults and children. Is it worth using the oil or is it better to buy other medicines?
Mechanism of action
All laxatives are divided into groups according to the strength of their effect.
Drugs | Action provided |
Laxatives | They soften the contents of the large intestine and ensure the passage of soft feces that have a shaped appearance. |
Medium strength | The result of intake is pasty or liquid stool. |
Carry-on | They cause abundant and thin stools, violent contractile activity of the intestines, provoking pain in the abdomen. |
Liquid paraffin is a laxative. It does not have a direct irritating effect on the intestinal wall, and regulation of the physiological rhythm of bowel movements is achieved thanks to:
- softening of feces;
- enveloping effect on intestinal contents;
- easier mechanical movement of feces through the large intestine.
If you use the product for oral administration, it:
- not absorbed through the intestinal mucosa;
- does not enter the systemic circulation;
- does not affect intestinal microflora.
Such properties of the laxative make it possible to prescribe it for the treatment of constipation in patients of different ages and for use in women after childbirth during breastfeeding.
Secrets of the oil
Liquid paraffin is a derivative from the refining of petroleum products. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless oily substance. Does not contain harmful impurities and compounds. Available in pharmacies without a prescription in bottles of various capacities. The drug does not accumulate in the body, does not affect the functions of the digestive system and is not absorbed into the blood. The drug contains no toxic substances or carcinogens; it can be safely used by adults, elderly people and children. This oily liquid is used in the fields of medicine and pharmacology in the manufacture of rectal suppositories, creams, and ointments. In everyday life, it can be used in the food industry, when working with wood, and in church rituals.
How to take Vaseline oil correctly
The instructions provide for the use of petrolatum oil for constipation in adults in the following dosage: 15-30 ml, which corresponds to 1-2 tablespoons, 1.5-2 hours after meals, usually once a day. The effect occurs 6–8 hours after administration, but individual deviations are possible in one or the other direction.
You should drink a laxative based on the therapeutic effect and personal tolerance of the drug. The duration of the course is determined by the doctor. You can take the product on your own for no more than 4-5 days.
Castor oil: use for constipation
One of the natural remedies that helps overcome long-term stool retention is castor oil or, in simple terms, castor oil.
The laxative has a disgusting taste and smell, vaguely reminiscent of wax. The color is pale yellow, the consistency is oily.
The oil is very popular among people suffering from chronic constipation. It’s not surprising: this remedy copes well with an “inconvenient” problem and almost always has the desired effect.
In the walls of the large intestine, castor oil is broken down by lipase, a water-soluble enzyme that converts fatty acids and fats (saturated and unsaturated) into thermal energy through complex biochemical reactions. This leads to an increase in the activity of the mucosal wall, due to which the intestines are cleared of feces.
In addition, castor oil irritates the receptor endings of the large intestine, which leads to productive bowel movements.
An oily remedy for combating the long-term absence of stool is freely sold in pharmacy kiosks, the release form is capsules (one gram each), ointments and oils in glass bottles.
It must be taken for three days to be effective. During the “treatment” period, drinking plenty of fluids is recommended to prevent dehydration.
Castor oil should be used per os for constipation; for adults the daily dose is 20-30 grams, and for adolescents – 15 grams. It is not recommended for children under 12 years of age to cleanse their intestines using this product.
Use in children
Vaseline oil is practically not used to treat constipation in children, but not because it is contraindicated for them. It is more difficult for a small child to choose a dose and it is not very convenient to give a laxative in the form of oil to drink. The optimal volumes of the drug required for the treatment of children of different ages are presented in the table.
Age | Amount of laxative |
Children under one year old | 2–3 ml |
Children from 1 year to 3 years | 5 ml (1 teaspoon) |
Children from 3 to 7 years old | 7–10 ml |
Children from 7 to 14 years old | 10–15 ml (2-3 teaspoons) |
If the use of the specified dose of a laxative does not bring the desired effect, then the amount of the drug can be increased.
Contraindications
Despite its natural composition, permission to use in early childhood and lack of absorption into the blood, the drug has very significant contraindications.
Absolute | Relative |
|
|
Previously, oil enemas were used to induce contractions when the expectant mother was nursing longer than her term. The fact is that such laxatives enhance the peristalsis of the smooth muscles of not only the intestines, but also the uterus, which accelerates the birth of a child.
Be sure to read:
Senna-based laxatives: tablets, mixtures and teas
Limitations and application features
Liquid paraffin, despite its safety, has some limitations for use when taken orally.
Features of application | Scroll |
Contraindications | Individual intolerance to the drug |
Acute inflammatory and ulcerative processes of the gastrointestinal tract: appendicitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, etc. | |
Intestinal obstruction | |
Pregnancy | |
Poisoning with phosphorus and organophosphorus compounds | |
Taking fat-soluble anthelmintic drugs (Vermox, Medamin, Avermol, etc.) | |
High body temperature | |
Side effect | Long-term use can provoke intestinal atony, nausea, decreased or loss of appetite, irritation and itching in the anus, a lack of vitamins A, K, E in the human body and the development of characteristic symptoms of hypovitaminosis. |
Precautionary measures | When the oil is taken orally, it is usually released from the anus for some time after the end of the course of treatment, contaminating the underwear. To eliminate the problem, the use of daily sanitary pads is recommended. |
If the tip of a gas outlet tube or enema used to cleanse the intestines before a diagnostic procedure or operation is lubricated with liquid paraffin, then the remaining product after the manipulation is removed with a gauze or cotton swab and washed off with warm water and detergent.
Vaseline oil is used to lubricate the enema tip
Advantages and disadvantages compared to other laxatives
pros | Minuses |
|
|
The release form is more of an inconvenience than a disadvantage: if the oil were enclosed in capsules, it would be easier to take.
Overdose
Liquid paraffin is a safe means for regulating the physiological rhythm of bowel movements, but this does not mean that it can be used uncontrolled. Sometimes patients, in order to achieve quick results, exceed the dosages recommended in the instructions for the drug. This should not be done, as ingesting excessive amounts of laxatives can lead to:
- nausea;
- discomfort and pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea (diarrhea);
- water and electrolyte disturbances.
Overdose is treated by eliminating symptoms.
How oil works
Pharmacists gave another name to the oil - liquid paraffin. Produced from petroleum through repeated processing and purification. Medical vaseline oil is completely free of toxic impurities and additives.
Liquid paraffin is used not only internally, but also as a base for ointments, creams, lotions, and mash. The pharmaceutical industry purchases oil for the production of solvents for drugs.
As a laxative, Vaseline oil is taken internally. The mechanism of action is simple: the drug is mixed with feces, enveloping accumulations of stale lumps. Slippery stool passes more easily through the intestinal loops. Vaseline oil acts as a lubricant, making bowel movements easier.
A slight irritant effect on the intestinal walls is noted; liquid paraffin slightly stimulates peristalsis.
The oil is not absorbed by the body and is excreted unchanged.
Contraindications for use
First, we hasten to warn you that you should not take this oil constantly, five days or a week maximum is enough. Then the body may simply get used to it and not perceive it at all, and as a result, Vaseline oil will not give any effect.
First, you should consult your doctor to see if you can take it at all, but there are main cases when Vaseline oil is not recommended for use , namely for such people:
- Pregnant;
- People with stomach ulcers;
- For infectious diseases, especially of the abdominal cavity;
- For stomach ulcers;
- Bleeding and intestinal obstruction;
- At elevated temperatures;
- In case of individual intolerance (allergy);
- For hemorrhoids.
And as consequences that may arise after application, you can display the following list:
- Clogged pores, especially in babies;
- Decreased intestinal and body tone;
- Decreased digestibility and processing of food;
- Irritation of skin and mucous membranes.
Alternative laxatives
If you choose between oil preparations, you can replace it with castor oil, the principle of action of which is similar to Vaseline.
Alternatively, laxatives can be used:
- irritating (these include plants: senna, buckthorn, rhubarb);
- osmotic (lactulose-based or saline laxatives);
- prebiotics (with the addition of inulin, oligosaccharides);
- bulk (bran, flax seeds);
- microenemas (Microlax, Proctum);
- natural (prunes, berries, legumes, beets).
To avoid using laxatives, you should change your lifestyle:
- spend more time in the fresh air;
- eat well;
- drink at least 1.5 liters of clean water per day;
- do physical exercise.
Read on topic: Exercises for constipation to improve bowel function
In continuation of the topic, be sure to read:
- What laxative is suitable for older people?
- The procedure for performing an enema with a syringe to cleanse the intestines
- Rectal fissure: causes, symptoms and treatment of pathology
- Details about the coprogram: preparation, conduct and interpretation of the analysis
- How to properly do an enema with an Esmarch mug to cleanse the intestines?
- Irritable bowel syndrome: symptoms and treatments
- Herbs for the intestines: benefits and use for various diseases
- Treatment tables (diets) No. 1-15 according to Pevzner: food tables and diet
- How to give an enema yourself for constipation: performing the procedure at home
- How to drink activated carbon in case of poisoning: instructions for use
Be sure to read:
Glycerin suppositories for children: how to use correctly + FAQ
Side effects
Scroll:
- Despite the relative harmlessness of the drug, there is a risk of worsening the patient's condition with long-term use of the drug.
- As a result of frequent use of oil, the intestines become “lazy” and peristalsis worsens. This leads to constipation due to deterioration of motor skills, which are accompanied by pain and bloating. If there is a serious disturbance in the functioning of the intestines, fecal stones are formed.
- There is a risk that the body becomes accustomed to the drug, and then it ceases to have the desired effect.
- Oil may leak from the anus, staining your underwear.
- The effectiveness of any drugs that are taken orally with petroleum jelly or during its action is reduced, since the oil interferes with the absorption of any substances passing through the gastrointestinal tract and accelerates their elimination from the body.
- An allergic reaction is possible, which is accompanied by irritation and itching in the anal area, and skin rashes. Then it is recommended to stop taking the drug.
- Increases the side effects caused by taking fat-soluble anthelmintic drugs.
How to do an enema: procedure
- It is necessary to sterilize the syringe by boiling (5 - 10 minutes). The volume of the syringe depends on the age of the patient. An adult needs 50 – 100 ml, a baby – a few drops.
- Prepare the substance for administration. It may be pure oil, or it may be a solution. To prepare the solution, stir 3 large tablespoons of vegetable oil in 100 ml of warm water. The temperature of the liquid should be about 38 degrees. It is this temperature that promotes maximum relaxation of the walls of the colon.
- Draw the prepared liquid into a syringe.
- Lie on your side and, slightly pressing the sides of the syringe (so that a drop of solution comes out), insert its tip into the anus approximately 5 cm. For children, 2 cm is enough.
- Squeeze out the contents and, without unclenching your fingers, remove the tip.
- Lie quietly for 10 – 15 minutes.
- The urge to defecate will begin within 8 to 10 hours.
Preventing constipation
In order to prevent defecation disorders in the future, it is necessary to use simple prevention methods:
- Take sufficient fluids in the form of purified drinking water.
- Increase physical activity. Fitness classes are perfect for this.
- If you have a sedentary job, spend more time walking or cycling.
- Eat foods high in fiber: bran bread, vegetables, buckwheat and oatmeal porridge, herbs, fruits.
- Increase your consumption of fermented milk products.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Treat gastrointestinal diseases in a timely manner.
- Do not get carried away with using laxatives.
- Avoid stress and nervous stress.
The use of Vaseline oil in relieving constipation is very effective, but you should not get carried away with this procedure. The true causes of defecation disorders can be determined by the attending physician and prescribed appropriate treatment.
gastrotract.ru
Vaseline oil enema for adults for constipation
Many people experience difficulties with bowel movements or prolonged stool retention. If such a problem occurs periodically, it can be dealt with with the help of laxatives, suppositories, herbal remedies with a laxative effect, and an appropriate diet. However, in some cases, only a bowel movement method such as an enema can help.
An enema with Vaseline oil is one of the means to solve the problem of removing feces during constipation.
It is used for persistent constipation, when hardened stool accumulates in the lower intestine. The therapeutic effect of this product is achieved due to such a feature as chemical stability, which does not allow the oil to be absorbed into the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
Introduced into the rectum, petroleum jelly penetrates between the mucous membrane and stagnant intestinal contents, envelops and softens feces, which begin to slide along the intestinal walls to the anus, significantly facilitating the process of defecation. The advantage of such enemas is that petroleum jelly does not penetrate deep into the intestines and does not irritate its walls, which means it does not increase peristalsis.
An enema with petroleum jelly can be considered a microenema; 50-100 ml of an oil solution (maximum 200 ml) is enough to carry it out.
To obtain an oil solution, add two to three tablespoons of petroleum jelly to 100 ml of water.
To perform an enema, Vaseline oil must be warm, so it is preheated in a water bath to a temperature of 37-38 degrees. Warm Vaseline oil relaxes the walls of the intestine, eliminates spasm of its smooth muscles, greatly facilitating the process of bowel movement.
The oil solution is injected into the rectum using a rubber bulb of the appropriate size. In order not to stain the surface, the procedure area is covered with oilcloth. Before introducing the solution, the tip of the bulb is lubricated with any emollient, such as baby cream.
Vaseline enema is usually done at night. This type of enema has a mild, non-irritating effect, so the effect of its use is not so quick, sometimes it takes from 8 to 12 hours for its effect.
The effectiveness of an enema with petroleum jelly depends on the cause of constipation, which only a doctor can determine. Without knowing the true cause of the problem, you can only worsen your condition. In addition, you should not get carried away with enemas, as this can cause addiction, and constipation will be a constant phenomenon, regardless of the physical condition of the body, diet and physical activity.
An enema with Vaseline oil is one of the means to solve the problem of removing feces during constipation.
It is used for persistent constipation, when hardened stool accumulates in the lower intestine. The therapeutic effect of this product is achieved due to such a feature as chemical stability, which does not allow the oil to be absorbed into the walls of the gastrointestinal tract.
Introduced into the rectum, petroleum jelly penetrates between the mucous membrane and stagnant intestinal contents, envelops and softens feces, which begin to slide along the intestinal walls to the anus, significantly facilitating the process of defecation. The advantage of such enemas is that petroleum jelly does not penetrate deep into the intestines and does not irritate its walls, which means it does not increase peristalsis.
An enema with petroleum jelly can be considered a microenema; 50-100 ml of an oil solution (maximum 200 ml) is enough to carry it out.
To obtain an oil solution, add two to three tablespoons of petroleum jelly to 100 ml of water.
To perform an enema, Vaseline oil must be warm, so it is preheated in a water bath to a temperature of 37-38 degrees. Warm Vaseline oil relaxes the walls of the intestine, eliminates spasm of its smooth muscles, greatly facilitating the process of bowel movement.
The oil solution is injected into the rectum using a rubber bulb of the appropriate size. In order not to stain the surface, the procedure area is covered with oilcloth. Before introducing the solution, the tip of the bulb is lubricated with any emollient, such as baby cream.
Vaseline oil enema is usually done at night. This type of enema has a mild, non-irritating effect, so the effect of its use is not so quick, sometimes it takes from 8 to 12 hours for its effect.
The effectiveness of an enema with petroleum jelly depends on the cause of constipation, which only a doctor can determine. Without knowing the true cause of the problem, you can only worsen your condition. In addition, you should not get carried away with enemas, as this can cause addiction, and constipation will be a constant phenomenon, regardless of the physical condition of the body, diet and physical activity.
Enemas should not be given if:
- colon prolapse;
- erosions and intestinal ulcers;
- hemorrhoids with cracks and bleeding;
- any tumors in the colon area;
- cutting pain during defecation.
For this procedure, various types of vegetable oil are used (but they cannot be mixed with each other):
- A castor oil enema for constipation is a time-tested remedy. Castor oil is a natural product from a plant called castor oil, containing a mixture of acids: linoleic, oleic, ricenolic. The weakening effect is due to the interaction of the above acids with enzymes located in the colon. Castor oil for the treatment of constipation is used both in the form of enemas and by oral administration;
- An enema with sunflower oil for constipation is the most common among enemas. It is saturated with a rich list of useful substances. Therefore, in addition to the laxative effect for constipation, when absorbed through the intestinal walls, it saturates the body with essential vitamins, polyunsaturated acids and minerals;
- An enema with sea buckthorn oil for constipation not only successfully copes with the evacuation of feces, but also has a wound-healing effect in the presence of cracks in the anus, hemorrhoids, and ulcerative lesions in the colon. It is necessary to remember that sea buckthorn is a highly allergenic product, so before doing an enema, you need to find out whether you are allergic to sea buckthorn.
How to do an enema at home
- It is necessary to sterilize the syringe by boiling (5 - 10 minutes). The volume of the syringe depends on the age of the patient. An adult needs 50 – 100 ml, a baby – a few drops.
- Prepare the substance for administration. It may be pure oil, or it may be a solution. To prepare the solution, stir 3 large tablespoons of vegetable oil in 100 ml of warm water. The temperature of the liquid should be about 38 degrees. It is this temperature that promotes maximum relaxation of the walls of the colon.
- Draw the prepared liquid into a syringe.
- Lie on your side and, slightly pressing the sides of the syringe (so that a drop of solution comes out), insert its tip into the anus approximately 5 cm. For children, 2 cm is enough.
- Squeeze out the contents and, without unclenching your fingers, remove the tip.
- Lie quietly for 10 – 15 minutes.
- The urge to defecate will begin within 8 to 10 hours.
Liquid paraffin is a derivative from the refining of petroleum products. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless oily substance. Does not contain harmful impurities and compounds. Available in pharmacies without a prescription in bottles of various capacities. The drug does not accumulate in the body, does not affect the functions of the digestive system and is not absorbed into the blood. The drug contains no toxic substances or carcinogens; it can be safely used by adults, elderly people and children. This oily liquid is used in the fields of medicine and pharmacology in the manufacture of rectal suppositories, creams, and ointments. In everyday life, it can be used in the food industry, when working with wood, and in church rituals.
Vaseline oil has long established itself as an effective remedy for the emergency relief of constipation. It has the following properties:
The use of liquid paraffin helps prevent the occurrence and development of intestinal diseases.
Once in the body, the drug, due to its viscosity, spreads evenly throughout the intestinal mucosa. Creates a soft layer between the intestinal mucosa and accumulated feces, protecting the intestines from microtrauma. Retains fluid, which dilutes the dense fecal plug and stimulates mucosal receptors to speed up the process of defecation. For constipation, it absorbs harmful fat-soluble substances found in the intestines.
In order to avoid negative consequences for the body after using the drug, you must follow simple recommendations:
- Use the procedure for a one-time cleansing of the body. A course of up to 5 days is recommended only in very advanced cases of constipation.
- Calculate dosage according to the patient's age and weight.
- Take Vaseline oil in the morning two hours before meals or in the evening after dinner, after the same time.
- It is not recommended to take the drug with water.
- Avoid frequent systematic use so as not to reduce intestinal tone.
- It must be remembered that bowel movements of the body begin 4-5 hours after the start of administration.
- The absence of the desired effect requires immediate cancellation of the procedure and subsequent consultation with a doctor.
- During pregnancy, Vaseline substance is used only after consulting a gynecologist, since bowel movements can provoke uterine tone and premature birth.
- Women in labor and nursing mothers are allowed to use the product only after medical consultation in order to minimize the negative consequences for the child.
To correctly and quickly achieve the desired result, you must strictly adhere to the dosage. The instructions included with the bottle of liquid paraffin will be completely useful.
Vaseline oil can be used in two ways:
An adult can use the first method, but if the patient is a child of infant, preschool or primary school age, then it is recommended to help him with an enema.
Oral dosage:
- adults - 1 or 2 tablespoons once;
- elderly people over 60 years old - no more than 2 teaspoons per day;
- children from 1 year to 4 - 0.5 teaspoon;
- children from 4 to 14 - 1-2 teaspoons;
- children over 14 and under 18 – 1 tablespoon.
In cases where oral administration is not possible or the patient is very small, it is recommended to give an enema based on liquid paraffin. It very gently and delicately cleanses the intestines.
Mix the prepared ingredients, heat the mixture in a steam bath to approximately 40C. Pour the resulting liquid into the pear. It is necessary to place the patient on his side with his knees bent (the fetal position is ideal). Insert the tip of the bulb lubricated with Vaseline into the rectum, then very carefully and slowly introduce the composition. After some time, the drug will take effect and the intestines will empty.
An infant is a special category of patients. They often experience constipation, especially among those who are artificially fed. Vaseline oil should be used for constipation in infants only if absolutely necessary.
To prepare the cleaning mixture you will need:
- 50 ml of warm boiled water;
- 1.5 tablespoons oil;
- medical bulb with a soft tip.
Performing an enema on an adult patient is no different from the procedure for a child, but the composition is slightly different:
- boiled water – 100-150 ml;
- oil - 3 tablespoons.
In severe cases of constipation, it is recommended to do an enema without water. Warm oil relaxes the intestines and relieves pain.
Vaseline oil in the right amount is harmless, but like any drug, it has a number of contraindications. These include:
- numerous ulcers and erosions of the gastrointestinal system;
- acute intestinal obstruction;
- individual intolerance to Vaseline;
- inflammatory bowel processes;
- rectal prolapse;
- exacerbation of hemorrhoids;
- fever.
When using the drug, side effects may occur: nausea, vomiting, involuntary bowel movements, discomfort in the stomach. The drug may spontaneously leak out of the anus, staining underwear and clothing with oily stains.
Exceeding the recommended dose of oil can cause severe diarrhea with subsequent disruption of intestinal flora and functions.
In order to prevent defecation disorders in the future, it is necessary to use simple prevention methods:
- Take sufficient fluids in the form of purified drinking water.
- Increase physical activity. Fitness classes are perfect for this.
- If you have a sedentary job, spend more time walking or cycling.
- Eat foods high in fiber: bran bread, vegetables, buckwheat and oatmeal porridge, herbs, fruits.
- Increase your consumption of fermented milk products.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Treat gastrointestinal diseases in a timely manner.
- Do not get carried away with using laxatives.
- Avoid stress and nervous stress.
The use of Vaseline oil in relieving constipation is very effective, but you should not get carried away with this procedure. The true causes of defecation disorders can be determined by the attending physician and prescribed appropriate treatment.
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Complaints about constipation from a person who considered himself to be completely healthy, just like from a person who had some health problems, can rarely be heard. After all, not everyone knows what can be considered constipation. And maybe the absence of stool for two days is a normal physiological phenomenon, and not a cause for concern. But what to do if you are still sure that you are constipated and this gives you some discomfort? How to treat, how to resume normal bowel function and forget about this problem forever? There are many questions that arise, but you can find the right answer to each of them and, as a result, help yourself. So let's find out.
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First, you need to determine whether you are truly constipated. Medicine gives us several criteria by which we can distinguish constipation from normal physiological stool retention:
- the number of acts of defecation is no more than 3 times a day and no less than 3 times a week;
- no discomfort, abdominal pain;
- general condition of the body and well-being is good;
- defecation occurs easily, without effort, after which there is no feeling of unemptied bowel.
Based on the above, we can conclude that the absence of daily bowel movements, but the presence of all the criteria, indicates normal bowel function. If one of the above criteria is missing in your situation, then you still have constipation. In this case, you should evaluate the tone of your intestines. This should be done in order to select the appropriate treatment for your situation. It may be necessary to relieve spasms or stimulate bowel function, because there are two types of constipation: atonic or spastic. There are also cases of combined constipation, when spasm of one part of the intestine is combined with atony of the other.
To assess the tone of your intestines, you need to determine the shape of your stool. Atonic constipation is characterized by bulky feces, the first portion of which has a large diameter and density and passes through the sphincter with difficulty. The bowel movements that follow are, on the contrary, soft, sometimes mushy.
With spastic constipation, the stool is formed, but with constrictions, or similar to sheep feces. They usually come out effortlessly, but have a dense consistency.
A combination of atony and spasm is often found, which is typical for chronic constipation. In this case, the stool appears dense and consists of separate lumps stuck together. Symptoms accompanying constipation can also help assess intestinal tone. Atonic constipation is usually accompanied by heaviness in the abdomen, a feeling of intestinal fullness, and discomfort. Spastic type constipation is characterized by colic, bloating, sharp, sharp pain in the abdomen.
Having determined the shape of the stool and assessed the accompanying symptoms, you should think about the probable cause of stool retention.
And the reasons most likely lie in lifestyle, habits and diet. Most often, difficulty in defecation is a consequence of poor nutrition. Irregular meals, lack of diet, drinking little water, and eating unhealthy foods often lead to problems with bowel movements.
Poor nutrition often causes constipation in nursing mothers, who after childbirth are afraid to eat the right foods that may be allergenic for the baby. To normalize intestinal function, you need to consume fermented milk products, vegetables and fruits (about 1.5 kg) every day.
You should eat in small portions, at least 5-6 times a day, preferably in a calm environment. You should also observe the drinking regime: the volume of water consumed per day should be at least 1.5-2 liters. Similar rules apply to children. If you have problems with bowel movements in a child over one year old, analyze his diet, and if he is breastfeeding, look at what you eat yourself. Perhaps among your favorite foods and drinks there will be some that cause constipation in your child.
The next possible cause of constipation is a decrease in physical activity. To avoid atonic constipation, be physically active, play sports, run, walk more. Often the cause of defecation disorders is an unsatisfactory emotional state. Avoid stressful situations, overexertion, don’t get angry or upset over trifles, and your stool will be restored.
Pay attention to how much you listen to your body's urges. Don't be put off if you need to relieve yourself and you're too busy or there's no toilet nearby. Otherwise, your overcrowded intestines will one day react to your unwillingness to listen to your own body with neurogenic constipation.
Also consider how often you use antibiotics. In addition to pathogenic bacteria, these drugs also destroy the normal intestinal microflora, which reduces its peristalsis and certainly causes constipation. Having established the cause of constipation, you can begin to treat it.
In the treatment of constipation, the main thing is not the speed of the result, but the correctness of treatment, which directly depends on the cause. After all, swallowing a laxative pill will not be difficult and the effect will come quickly, but if the reason lies in poor nutrition, then you will soon experience constipation again. So, first, adjust your diet and drink enough water.
Secondly, be physically active by walking every day. If you don’t like or don’t want to walk, do gymnastics regularly, preferably every morning. There are special exercises that help strengthen the abdominal muscles and improve blood supply to the intestines. The exercises are very simple and accessible to everyone. These are bends back and forth and to the sides, body turns, squats, and the “bicycle” exercise. Massage of the abdominal wall also brings relief. During spasms it should be light and relaxing, and during atony it should be more energetic and deep.
If all of the above methods do not help, you can resort to laxatives. There are a large number of them, and in order not to further harm your body, you should understand them at least a little.
Drugs containing senna and bisacodyl provide relief in the shortest possible time, but the more often they are used, the worse the effect. They are addictive, and each time you have to increase the dose. They can only be used for atonic constipation, and are not recommended for spasms. Drops like Regulax, Slabilen, Gutallax also have a similar effect.
Therefore, for regular constipation, it is better to use softer, gentler remedies. These include preparations containing lactulose (Normaze, Duphalac syrups), mucofalk, exportal, and forlax powders. They retain the required amount of fluid in the intestines, help increase the volume of stool and soften them, and stimulate bowel movements. The effect of using such drugs does not occur instantly, but lasts longer. They are not addictive, they are absolutely harmless and can even be prescribed to nursing mothers and infants. With them, the intestines learn to work independently and after stopping the course of treatment the problem does not arise again.
For the more impatient, there are also ways to quickly relieve constipation. These methods include the use of glycerin suppositories. The effect of suppositories occurs quickly; they are usually used as first aid for delayed bowel movement. The action is also mild and can be used by pregnant, lactating women and even newborn children.
An enema will also help to quickly cleanse the intestines. But it does not solve the problem of constipation; it only helps in case of urgent need to cleanse the intestines. An enema can be done with various oils - olive, sunflower, vaseline. Sometimes it is recommended to drink petroleum jelly, but there is no point in this, since certain changes occur to it even as it passes through the small intestine, and only the products of its processing enter the large intestine, which do not give any effect. The same can be said about the effectiveness of using karst oil.
Traditional methods of treating constipation can be unexpectedly effective. You can prepare and consume decoctions and infusions of medicinal plants, drink a glass of raw water in the morning on an empty stomach, eat a handful of dried fruits (dried apricots, raisins, prunes). Before going to bed, it is useful to drink a glass of kefir. For those who constantly suffer from spastic constipation, thermal procedures can bring a therapeutic effect. Warm baths or a heating pad on the stomach help relieve cramps and more actively move stool through the intestines.
In any case, you can fight constipation on your own, only by eliminating organic problems. Therefore, for any constipation that occurs for the first time and has been up to 3 months old, you should first visit a proctologist in order to exclude pathology of the large intestine and make sure that constipation is a consequence of a functional disorder. Only after this can you safely treat yourself using all known and available methods.
Everything you need to know about constipation in adults can be seen in the video:
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The use of petroleum jelly for constipation has been known for a long time. In today's article we will talk about the healing properties of this remedy and give some tips on its use.
You can easily buy Vaseline oil at any pharmacy without presenting a prescription. This absolutely safe, natural remedy quickly helps with constipation. Another name for the drug is liquid paraffin. Used in pharmacology and cosmetics industry.
The oil is a liquid transparent consistency without taste or smell. Sold in glass containers with a capacity of 200 ml. It is used as an external remedy (healing, softening external wounds and cracks in hemorrhoids), and is also suitable for internal use (as a laxative).
Vaseline oil has the following beneficial properties:
- getting on the walls of the intestinal mucosa, liquid paraffin creates a protective film, thereby protecting the absorption of toxins;
- “lubricates” the contents of the intestine and creates conditions for its rapid emptying;
- facilitates the act of defecation.
Note that the oil has a number of undeniable advantages:
- the drug is not absorbed by the mucous membrane;
- does not disturb the natural intestinal microflora;
- completely excreted from the body along with feces.
The main use of the oil is to relieve constipation. Moreover, liquid paraffin is used equally effectively for any type of constipation (chronic, atonic, spastic). The oil can be used at any stage of hemorrhoids (with the exception of the period of exacerbation of the disease - hemorrhoids with bleeding).
The laxative effect can be achieved in two ways:
- internal use of oil;
- as a supplement or base of rectal enema.
Before using the drug for internal use, be sure to read the instructions. The entire treatment process must be approved by the attending physician, who selects an individual dose and course of treatment according to the age and condition of the patient.
Vaseline oil is allowed to be taken by both adults and children (even infants). The dosage schedule is as follows:
- Adults can take 1-2 tbsp of oil once. l. for 3–5 days. At the discretion of the doctor, the dose and number of doses may be increased. Moreover, for older people the dosage is significantly different - the maximum dose for them is 2 tsp.
- For children under one year of age, the maximum daily dose should not exceed more than half a teaspoon.
- For children under 4 years of age, the daily amount is 1–2 tsp. once during the day.
- Child from 4 to 14 years old – 1 tbsp. l. in a day.
A few rules for taking the drug:
- Liquid paraffin is consumed 2 hours before or after meals. The course of application is no more than 5 days. Constant treatment with oil is prohibited, since by enveloping and protecting the intestinal walls, it simultaneously prevents the absorption of beneficial microelements and vitamins.
- Infants under one year of age should use oil only in cases of extreme necessity and only with the permission of a doctor. An overdose is extremely dangerous for the baby.
- In cases where any undesirable consequences occur after taking the oil, it should be stopped immediately and the doctor should be notified.
Enema with the addition of liquid paraffin is carried out to cleanse the intestines for constipation. To carry out the procedure, a regular enema bulb with a soft rubber tip is suitable. As a solution, you can use either natural oil or diluted with water.
We bring to your attention a couple of effective recipes:
- To obtain a solution you will need to mix 100 ml of boiled water with 3 tbsp. l. liquid paraffin. The solution should be at room temperature.
- Remove the air from the bulb (by squeezing it) and lower it into the container to fill it with the solution, releasing the squeeze.
- After scooping up the solution, lubricate the end of the pear with baby cream.
- Place the patient on his left side with his knees bent toward his chin. Slowly introduce the entire contents of the enema into the anus.
- After finishing the procedure, you can straighten your legs by squeezing your buttocks.
- You should lie on your side for 10–15 minutes to give the solution time to work.
- After cleansing the intestines, wash the anus and lubricate it with baby cream.
The second recipe is as follows: heat 100 ml of Vaseline oil in a water bath to body temperature, then repeat all steps according to the previous recipe.
In what cases should oil treatment be avoided:
- for infectious diseases of the peritoneum;
- at elevated body temperature;
- cannot be used topically on the anus for bleeding hemorrhoids;
- for ulcers and obstruction;
- during pregnancy;
- in cases of individual intolerance to the drug.
Doctors note that side effects are extremely rare. They can appear as a result of an overdose and are expressed in the form of: