Indications for use
The therapeutic effect of activated carbon is determined by its natural origin. It is made from natural substances, without the use of chemical additives.
Coal can absorb various low molecular weight substances:
- toxins;
- slags;
- bile;
- gases;
- acid in gastric juice;
- alcohol.
Activated carbon refers to substances that are chemically inert. Having absorbed toxins and poisons, it is eliminated from the human body naturally approximately 12 hours after consumption. Coal is an adsorbent. Indications for use:
Coal is good to use as first aid for stomach pain.
dyspeptic processes, which are accompanied by flatulence, nausea, diarrhea;- stomach pain;
- cleansing the body of toxins and waste;
- poisoning, allergic reactions to food;
- stomach upsets;
- impaired absorption;
- preparation for ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
- alcohol poisoning;
- for weight loss.
Properties of activated carbon
In ancient times, the event was regarded as a miracle. It is now known that the main feature of activated carbon is its structure: the drug consists of many heterogeneously located particles and plates, between which pores form. Due to its structure, the active surface of 1 gram of sorbent is huge; according to various sources, it is approximately 1000 m2. Such a device is associated with high adsorbing capacity. Carbon is activated under the influence of high temperatures; from a chemical point of view, it consists exclusively of carbon. Due to its adsorption ability, due to its inability to be absorbed into the blood and completely eliminated from the body through the intestines, coal is often and widely used in medicine.
The medication prescribed by the doctor belongs to the group of enterosorbents. The drug absorbs substances coming from outside and formed inside the body.
Requirements for sorbents
- Should not injure the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. To avoid damage to the mucous membrane, you must strictly follow the recommended dosage of the medicine. The maximum amount of activated carbon per dose for an adult is 8 g.
- Must perform well. The drug is eliminated no longer than 10 hours after entering the body. The rate of excretion depends on the speed of movement of the contents of the digestive tract.
- It has good adsorbing ability. Activated carbon physically absorbs substances without interacting chemically.
- Convenient to use. Release form: tablets, crushable as needed; granules, powder and paste.
- Does not have a negative effect on organs and organ systems. Coal is not absorbed into the blood; it transits through the intestines, collecting poisons along the way.
Diseases requiring the use of activated carbon:
- Dyspeptic symptoms accompanied by nausea, flatulence, diarrhea.
- Flatulence.
- Increased secretion of gastric juice.
- Acute poisoning, food toxic infections.
- Increased levels of bilirubin in the blood in liver diseases.
- An increase in the amount of urea in the blood in kidney disease.
- Allergic diseases.
- Adequate preparation for abdominal examinations.
The use of activated carbon for gastritis depends on many factors, including the type of disease.
How to use?
Acute gastritis
Pathology occurs due to damage to the stomach of a biological, mechanical and chemical nature. The disease is accompanied by vomiting, which is sometimes difficult to hold back. After vomiting, it feels better for a short time, but then the nausea returns again. An adsorbent helps remove toxins from the stomach. In order not to harm the mucous membrane, the coal must be ground into powder or dissolved in water. A solution is made at the rate of 10 g of medicine per 1 liter of water, rinse the stomach with it repeatedly. After vomiting stops, you need to drink 20-30 g of the medication dissolved in water. If you have an upset stomach, the dosage also changes.
Chronic gastritis
For this disease, the drug will only bring benefits.
In the absence of an ulcer, the acidity and volume of gastric juice are taken into account. Using the medication for gastritis with high acidity, the patient’s condition will become better, if secretion is reduced, it will become worse. If the acidity is increased, use the following dosage regimen: 4 tablets dissolved in water, drink 4 times every day. It is necessary to take into account the use of other medications and the time interval between doses. Constipation or diarrhea may occur after using activated charcoal. If you take the drug for a long time, you need to drink plenty of fluids and it is recommended to take vitamins.
To cleanse the body
The medication should be taken between meals. You need to drink activated charcoal on an empty stomach 1-2 hours before eating or 2 hours after a meal. This rule is also relevant for concurrent use of medications. You cannot drink activated charcoal and medications at the same time - it can neutralize them, and they cannot act at full strength.
Dosage
Admission rules:
- take one tablet per 10 kg of body weight;
- the dose per day is divided into 2-3 doses;
- cleansing course - 3-7 days;
- daily dose - 14-30 tablets.
Food and alcohol poisoning
Poor quality food and alcohol can lead to poisoning, which can be treated with activated charcoal.
If symptoms of poisoning appear, it is necessary to rinse the stomach with a solution containing activated carbon. One liter of warm water should be mixed with 20-25 g of 0.5 g tablets crushed to a powder. The stomach should be rinsed with this suspension. After vomiting, the patient should be given plenty of warm fluids. If his condition does not improve, take the medication at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. Activated carbon for diarrhea is consumed 2 hours after meals 3 times a day.
Does activated charcoal help with heartburn?
For some, taking activated charcoal for heartburn is as common as getting rid of this unpleasant symptom with soda. But before taking this remedy, you need to make sure exactly how it acts on the body and whether it will cause harm.
- 1The essence of the problem
- 2Quick information
1The essence of the problem
The cause of retrosternal burning pain is hydrochloric acid, which is released from the stomach when the lower esophageal sphincter is weak. When leaving the stomach, the juice has a negative effect on all mucous membranes, which causes the unpleasant burning symptom.
Activated carbon is an absorbent drug. It can be made from coke or charcoal. Due to the porous structure of the tablet, the ability of this drug to better absorb all the substances surrounding it increases.
If you take activated charcoal during heartburn, when it comes into contact with gastric juice, a chemical reaction will begin that suppresses the action of the acid. In order to cope with an attack of retrosternal burning pain, it is enough for an adult to drink 3-4 tablets.
But it should be borne in mind that taking this miraculous remedy is advisable in case of one-time attacks of heartburn, for example, after eating too spicy food, or if the food was of poor quality. When irritation of the mucous membrane occurs systematically, this symptom indicates that one of many pathological processes is occurring in the body, for example, frequent heartburn can be caused by gastritis or an ulcer. Under these circumstances, you should not suppress the burning sensation with activated charcoal every time. It is necessary to establish what caused the irritation of the mucous membrane. Eliminating the main cause will make it possible to get rid of heartburn forever, and not just get temporary relief by consuming a sorbent.
2Quick information
In addition to all the positive qualities, using activated carbon during heartburn has a number of disadvantages.
The absorbent agent is suitable for use only as a drug that suppresses the symptoms of heartburn. Coal does not have any medicinal properties. It is not able to influence the tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.
For the product to be most effective, it should not be taken with large amounts of water. The liquid will only dilute the hydrochloric acid and thereby increase its volume.
If heartburn takes you by surprise, and there is no absorbent in your medicine cabinet, you should not use any other substance similar to it. That is, ordinary coal, which remains after the wood burns, will not work. The fact is that the ashes left after a fire at home are not safe. It contains many different impurities that can have a detrimental effect on the inflamed areas of the mucous membranes of the esophagus and stomach.
Some experts recommend taking activated charcoal during a burning attack for women who are pregnant. The fact is that this drug is one of the few that does not have a negative effect on both the body of the expectant mother and her baby. As a rule, pregnant women experience heartburn in the last weeks of pregnancy. This occurs due to the fact that the fetus, which has significantly increased in size, displaces all internal organs upward. But it’s also not worth fighting the burning sensation in your chest this way. Long-term use of an absorbent substance may disrupt the normal microflora of the intestines and stomach. The expectant mother can alleviate her condition with various simple exercises (gymnastics), which you can learn about in more detail from your doctor.
The use of activated charcoal as a remedy for heartburn is not recommended for patients undergoing therapeutic treatment with other medications. Due to the fact that charcoal is an absorbent, it will reduce the strength of the main medicine.
Contraindications
Despite the natural composition of activated carbon, it is not always safe to drink. It is contraindicated for stomach ulcers and pathological conditions such as:
- impaired integrity of the gastric mucosa;
- erosion;
- bleeding;
- duodenal ulcer;
- neoplasms;
- abnormalities of the heart and blood vessels;
- chronic constipation.
Women who take oral contraceptives should consult a gynecologist before cleansing the body with activated charcoal. Coal helps reduce the contraceptive effect of pills. Women should also not take the drug during pregnancy and lactation. People who are individually sensitive to the drug often suffer from allergies. Therefore, they should not take the medicine.
Action
This preparation contains finely porous carbon. This structure ensures effective adsorption.
Coal also has catalytic properties. Therefore, this medicine will help with the following conditions:
- poisoning from spoiled food;
- intoxication, including alcohol;
- pain in the abdominal area;
- increased gas formation in the stomach and intestines.
The porous surface of the tablet easily absorbs the poison. If you drink the drug at the first symptoms of poisoning, the toxin stops penetrating into the circulatory system. At the same time, the person’s condition noticeably improves.
We must remember that the remedy will not have an effect in such cases as:
- severe nausea and repeated vomiting;
- unpleasant and sharp belching, especially rotten;
- heartburn;
- alternating diarrhea and constipation;
- lethargy;
- fatigue.
All this suggests that the human body is infected with parasites. In this case, it is not necessary to take activated carbon, but special anthelmintic treatment.
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Analogues of the drug
There are many different analogues that can replace the medicine. They are organic and mineral. Organic is made from plants. They contain a substance of plant origin called lignin. Medicines containing this element include such medications as “Polifepan”, “Lignosorb”, “Filtrum-STI”, “Entegnin”. Mineral sorbents include sorbents that contain silicon dioxide. They help remove alkaloids from the body and are effectively used for various poisonings. These medications include Enterosgel, Atoxil, and Polysorb MP.
