Preparations and medicines for bowel cleansing

Intestine - basicThe place of accumulation of toxins and toxins in the human body. Absorbed through its walls, they enter the bloodstream and affect the work of other organs. Partly the role of the filter is performed by the liver, but with a prolonged intake of toxic substances, its functions are violated. Preparations for cleansing the intestine not only restore its work, but also prevent the spread of harmful substances throughout the body. Symptoms of slagging are headaches, fatigue, fatigue, drowsiness, flatulence and frequent catarrhal diseases.

Purification of the intestines improves well-being and restores working capacity. Read more on cleansing the body of toxins →

Choosing a drug for bowel cleansing

Today, you can buy preparations for intestinal cleaning at any pharmacy. Their diversity often leads to a dead end: how to choose the most effective? Do not forget that all medicines must be prescribed by a doctor. Therefore, the best option is to consult a therapist or gastroenterologist, as well as pass the necessary laboratory and instrumental examinations. In this case, the cleansing will be effective and will not cause harm.

When choosing the means for bowel cleansing, it is necessary to take into account the general condition of the organism, the accompanying diseases, the tendency to allergic reactions, the degree of slagging. For the large intestine enemas with broths of medicinal herbs, oils are often used. But it is worth remembering that such procedures can lead to dysbiosis and have their contraindications, one of them is pregnancy.

To cleanse the small intestine, special preparations are used. The most popular in our country are Fortrans and Lavakol. They have a laxative effect, excrete toxins and toxins, but are practically not absorbed into the bloodstream.

Contraindications and side effects

Medications for bowel cleansing should be used as directed by a physician. Self-medication can be not only ineffective, but also dangerous. The most common side effect of improper cleaning is dysbiosis - a violation of the balance of microflora. With incorrectly selected dosage, not only toxins and toxins are washed out of the intestine, but also beneficial bacteria. As a result, the digestive process is disrupted, and diarrhea develops. More details about analysis for dysbiosis →

In case of damage to the intestinal wall( sores, cracks, maceration) during the cleaning activities, their infection can occur. This will lead to the development of suppuration, the formation of perforations and peritonitis. If parasites are present in the intestine, then during its purification, nematodes can migrate to the upper parts of the digestive tract, as well as into the heart and lungs.

There are many pathogenic bacteria and unicellular organisms that have been in the human body for a long time in an inactive state. Purification procedures can provoke their "revitalization", which will lead to the simultaneous development of several infections at once.

Purification of the intestines with drugs is contraindicated in acute hemorrhoids, Crohn's disease, colorectal cancer or colon, gastrointestinal bleeding, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis. With caution and under strict medical supervision, they can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding, after surgery in the abdominal cavity, with hypertension, heart and kidney disease.

Features and Varieties of Drugs

Intestinal cleansers are represented by 6 main groups:

1. Softening laxatives .Used to cleanse the small intestine. Dissolve the contents and remove it from the body. Most often used to prevent constipation in newly given women, patients undergoing surgery, having cracks in the anus, hemorrhoids. This group includes almond and vaseline oil, docusate sodium, paraffin.
2. Laxatives that increase the volume of intestinal contents .Contain fiber and pectins - compounds that are not digested, but ways to swell, binding the contents of the intestine and removing it to the outside. They work in both thin and thick sections. This group includes bran, Fitomycil, methylcellulose, flax seeds.
3. Contact laxatives .Affect the receptors of the intestinal mucosa, thereby activating its peristalsis and facilitating the evacuation of the contents. Cleansing is done with Bisacodyl, Senad, castor oil, sodium picosulfate, phenolphthalein, magnesium sulfate, rhubarb root and buckthorn.
4. Laxative for enemas .Clean the large intestine. For the enema procedures, solutions of Bisacodyl, Sorbitol, sodium phosphate, glycerol can be used.
5. Osmotic purgative .Purify the small and large intestines, changing the osmotic pressure in it. As a result, its walls stop absorbing liquid, the volume of content increases. A mechanical pressure is created, and the peristalsis intensifies, causing defecation. The doctor can prescribe Karlovy Vary salt, magnesium oxide, Fortrans, Forlax, Dufalac, Lavakol.
6. Other laxatives .Used to treat chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome. This group includes Tegaserod, Prukalopride.

Purification of the intestines with medicines is carried out not only with the help of laxatives. To effectively bind and remove toxins, enterosorbents are used. They absorb poisons like sponge, so they are irreplaceable for poisoning, intestinal infections, allergic reactions to foods.

The most accessible and known product of this group is activated charcoal. Recently, more and more popular are Polysorb, Liferan, Filtrum-STI.

Overview of the most popular medicines

Consider the most well-known in our country drugs for bowel cleansing.

Fortrans

Refers to the group of osmotic laxatives. The active ingredient is macrogol, it is able to retain water, to prevent its absorption. Also in the composition there are salts that support the electrolyte balance.

In hospitals, Fortrans prepares intestinal cleansing in patients before intracavitary surgeries, colonoscopy, irrigoscopy and some other examinations.

The cost of Fortrans is about 580 rubles. Analogues with the same active substance, but different concentration - Lavakol( 180 rubles), Forlaks( 150-300 rubles).

Magnesia

Other names of the drug are magnesium sulfate, English or bitter salt. Refers to a group of contact laxatives. Used for cleansing the bowels for a long time, has a simple composition and affordable price( about 50 rubles), but unpleasant to taste, can lead to dehydration, breaks the electrolyte balance, can cause spasmodic pain and burning sensation in the anus.

The risk of such side effects increases with frequent use of magnesia or non-compliance with dosage. After each defecation, it is recommended to lubricate the anus with vegetable oil to eliminate discomfort, and after the procedure to take probiotics to restore the balance of the microflora. Because of the powerful action, this drug for bowel cleansing can be used instead of enema.

Dufalak

Is an osmotic laxative. As an active substance contains lactulose, which acts mainly in the thick part of the intestine. Purification occurs gently, which allows prescribing this drug even to pregnant women and children.

Does not cause dysbacteriosis, but on the contrary - increases the number of beneficial bacteria. The average price for a minimum volume is 300 rubles.

Lavakol

Osmotic laxative. Acts the same as Fortrans, is its analog. But because of the lower concentration of the active substance - macrogol - is more often used to treat chronic constipation.

Lavakol is a domestic preparation for cleansing the intestines, due to which it is available at a price( about 180 rubles).Also, according to patients' reviews, its salty taste is more pleasant than the sweetish Fortrans.

Castor oil

Affordable( about 70 rubles) and a well-proven agent for cleaning the intestines. It softens its contents, can be applied inside or locally in the form of an enema. Effective quite effectively, but it can provoke a dysbiosis, a violation of the water-electrolyte balance.

Also, castor oil is very unpleasant to taste, despite the fact that it is recommended to mix with lemon juice before taking it.

Senna

A medicinal plant belonging to the group of contact laxatives. In pharmacies you can buy not only herb for the preparation of infusion, but also preparations with its extract in the form of tablets: Senadé, Anthrasennin, Senadexin.

Like all medicines of this group, Senna irritates the intestinal mucosa receptors, which can be accompanied by spasmodic pains. There is a risk of dysbiosis, the development of dehydration. The cost of senna leaves is about 60 rubles.

To date, the choice of drugs for bowel cleansing is huge. This procedure is becoming increasingly popular, especially among women. But do not forget that all medicines have contraindications and can provoke side reactions. Therefore, before cleaning, it is worth consulting with a doctor.

Author: Olga Khanova, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru

Useful video on the advisability of bowel cleansing