Medicinal trace elements related to enterosorbents are used not only for poisoning with low-quality products. Medical specialists can recommend them for use in various infectious processes, and not necessarily food, with allergic manifestations or simply for preventive purposes. But what is the difference between modern medicines and proven over the years? And how to choose the right adsorbent in a given situation?
What are adsorbents?
This term combines various medicines that are taken orally for poisoning, allergic reactions or infectious processes, including food intoxication. The main property of these drugs is the ability to absorb various harmful microelements on their surface and remove them from the body. In this case, an effective enterosorbent should:
- Do not exert a general effect and are excreted in the pure state.
- As little as possible affect the mucous cavity of the gastrointestinal tract, and also do not spoil the normal microflora.
- Do not disrupt the intestines, that is, do not cause constipation or diarrhea.
Which of the known adsorbents have all these properties? And what is better for the intestines: Polysorb or activated carbon?
Activated carbon
The most popular enterosorbent tested over the years. It is obtained from coal, usually mainly wood, but stone, bitumen, as well as coconut shells can be used. A medication is used depending on a person’s age and body weight. It can be used during lactation, pregnancy, and children from the age of three.
Best drug absorbs toxins of animal and plant etiology, food allergens, salts of heavy metals, alkaloids, as well as various medicinal trace elements. It is used in combination therapy of infectious diseases such as dysentery or salmonellosis.
Activated carbon has been used as an adsorbent for many years, and for a long time was considered only a detoxifying agent. But recently, it has been widely used in cosmetology to cleanse problem skin.
Polysorb
The active trace element of this medication is colloidal silicon dioxide. In appearance it is a milky hue, a light powder, absolutely odorless and with a specific taste. The active substance has two main abilities. Absorb harmful components, substances and even pathogenic microorganisms. It can absorb water and increase in size.
Penetrating into the intestine, enterosorbent begins to act after four minutes. As water and harmful contents are absorbed, it gradually fills the intestinal lumen. With the help of which it activates its emptying, which means it is better to remove from the body everything that it could "take" into itself.
What is better for acne: Polysorb or activated carbon?
Acne, acne often indicate that toxins have accumulated in the intestines. They penetrate the blood, spread throughout the body, poisoning it, provoke problems with the skin. It is necessary to use "Polysorb" from acne: it will collect harmful bacteria, toxins that have accumulated in the intestines, remove them. The body will cleanse, metabolism will improve. The source of the problem will be eliminated, and the acne will disappear.
"Polysorb" refers to adsorbents. The main purpose of the medication is the elimination of toxins from the body. Under the influence of the drug, microbes stick together and die. It is not just the purification of the whole organism that is carried out: the organs and systems that are responsible for detoxification are unloaded. This is evidenced by the reviews of doctors. In the future, Polysorb began to be used more and more often in the fight against acne, since it proved itself well in this capacity.
Other natural medicines are also popular with suction properties. Similar actions, for example, in activated carbon. The differences are that such enterosorbents are used for dietetic nutrition, and Polysorb is used against acne and in the form of masks. The drug, applied to the surface of the skin, draws toxins from the deep layers, has a drying property.
How to use adsorbents for alcohol poisoning?
The body cannot utilize or neutralize a large amount of alcohol, as a result of which the normal functioning of all organs and systems is lost. So, with alcohol poisoning, which is better: Polysorb or activated carbon?
Thanks to special enzymes, the liver turns alcohol into acetaldehyde. This substance is considered toxic and is eliminated from the body through an oxidative process, transforming into acetic acid. If a person abuses alcohol, such a toxic compound can provoke serious violations in the liver.
Polysorb and activated carbon help both before and after drinking. These enterosorbents have good compatibility, so they can be used at the same time, which will be prevention. But in most cases, people resort to taking adsorbents after drinking alcohol, when all the negative signs of a hangover have already appeared.
Similarity
How to choose the most effective and safe enterosorbent? Polysorb or activated carbon - which is better? From the reviews of doctors it is known that before you get the answer to this question, you should understand how the drugs differ and are similar.
So, the main positive qualities of these medicines are:
- The effect is only on the intestines, without penetration into the bloodstream.
- The composition of the drug, which does not adversely affect either the kidneys or the liver.
- All medicines, after consultation with the doctor, can be used during the gestation, with lactation.
Differences
As for the differences, the main ones will be:
- The time period over which the drug begins to positively affect. The fastest in this regard is "Polysorb", which becomes active only four minutes after consumption.
- Impact on the intestinal mucosa. Coal, unlike its counterpart, has larger particles, which in rare situations can injure the gastric mucosa. Therefore, this medication is not recommended for acute gastritis or an ulcer.
- The convenience of use. Activated carbon is produced in tablets or capsules, which are easier and faster to use. Polysorb is in the form of a powder that must be diluted in water before use.
All of these enterosorbents can absorb drugs. Therefore, if the patient takes any additional medications, then the time interval between the use of the sorbent and their administration should be at least sixty minutes. So, with allergies, which is better: Polysorb or activated carbon? According to patient reviews, it is known that both drugs are used for allergic manifestations.
Benefits
According to reviews, both drugs take up little space, do not require certain storage conditions and are easy to take. Moreover, they can be used in almost any poisoning.
As for the problem of choice in other situations, then:
- If the patient suffers from gastritis, stomach ulcer or stool disorders, it is better to opt for Polysorb.
- "Polysorb" is more suitable for allergy sufferers, as it has an effect rather quickly, and also helps to cope with intoxication in case of an infectious disease.
- "Polysorb" is suitable in that situation if a person needs to spend some time in hazardous production or in areas with poor ecology.
- If the patient does not know what exactly provoked the disease (toxins, spoiled food or bacteria), then “Polysorb” is better suited, since it has a wider spectrum of action.
Which is better for children: Polysorb or activated carbon?
Children more than adults are prone to intestinal infections, worse tolerate poisoning. To eliminate them, adsorbents that can quickly remove harmful substances from the body will be effective.
Not all drugs can be prescribed from infancy, for example, activated charcoal is recommended only for children from the age of seven, in some cases from three. "Polysorb" in this regard is in a more winning position, it can be used from birth. The drug is produced in bags of six grams, as well as in banks of 25, 50 and 100 grams. The instructions for use have a special table, thanks to which you can easily calculate the individual dosage of admission.
Activated carbon is not recommended for children. Coal particles are injured by the mucous membrane of the intestines of a child and adult patients.