A change of scenery, travel, changes in nutrition are the main causes of problems with the stool. Often, to normalize digestion, you have to take medications. In acute constipation, experts recommend taking a salt laxative (you will learn the name from the article), which has the fastest effect.
Mechanism of action
As the active components of salt laxatives, sodium and magnesium sulfate, phosphate ions are used. These substances are able to retain fluid in the intestinal lumen. A large volume of water helps to soften feces, increases the osmotic pressure. Some substances can irritate receptors located on the intestinal mucosa, which improves peristalsis.
Salts are not absorbed the mucous surface of the intestinal tract and pass through it unchanged. Saline laxative acts quickly enough. Intestinal reaction can be observed after 2-3 hours after taking the drug. For long-term use, such laxatives are not suitable.
When should I take?
Any laxative drugs can only be used as adjunctive therapy. With frequent constipation, an examination should be done to identify the cause of the pathological phenomenon. Specialists recommend taking saline laxatives only for acute constipation. Also, such drugs are used when cleaning the intestines before fasting or diet. This helps cleanse the intestines of toxic substances. It should be remembered that laxatives of this group can not be used constantly throughout the entire period of fasting.
An indication for the use of salt laxative is also preparation for the diagnosis of intestines. The quick action of the drugs allows their use in case of poisoning by poisons (mercury, arsenic, salts of heavy metals). The active components of drugs prevent the absorption of hazardous substances into the blood. During the interaction, sulfates of these metals that are safe for the system are formed.
Benefits of Saline Laxatives
Osmotic (saline) laxative has a quick therapeutic effect and is not addictive. Some drugs from this group are able to stimulate the process of digestion and establish the production of gastric juice. Magnesium sulfate positively affects the state of bone tissue, myocardium.
Laxatives based on sodium and magnesium sulfate are recommended after anthelmintic therapy. The drugs will help to remove dead parasites and their metabolic products from the body.
What are the disadvantages?
It is important to remember that to cope with such a delicate problem as constipation, with the help of laxative medicines is possible only for a while. Saline laxatives do not affect the true cause of the pathological phenomenon. Such drugs can be taken only in case of acute constipation and in the absence of contraindications.
Frequent use of salt laxatives can cause electrolyte and water-salt balance disturbance, dehydration. Exceeding the dosage is fraught with the development of bradycardia, a decrease in blood pressure.
Side effects of salt laxatives
If the rules for the use of laxative salt medications are not observed, the development of side effects is possible. Most often, they appear in the form of pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, attacks of vomiting and nausea. It is possible to judge the violation of the water-salt balance by such symptoms as dizziness, shortness of breath, convulsions, arrhythmia.
If you use saline laxative drugs for chronic constipation, you can weaken the normal tone of the intestine, which will negatively affect the possibility of self-emptying.
Who should not take saline laxative?
At home, coping with the unpleasant symptoms of constipation is quite possible. Many help drugs from the group of salt laxatives. At first glance, such funds may seem the safest. However, they are not suitable for use by all patients. Contraindications include the following pathological conditions:
- pain in the abdomen of unclear etiology;
- acute hemorrhoids;
- severe diseases of the stomach, intestines, kidneys;
- appendicitis;
- hypersensitivity to components;
- high blood pressure;
- dehydration;
- cholelithiasis;
- pregnancy, lactation.
Glauber's salt
Among salt laxatives, one of the most effective is mirabilite (sodium sulfate, Glauber's salt). The medicine is available in powder form for the preparation of a solution. The action of sodium sulfate is based on water retention in the intestine, due to which liquefaction of feces occurs.
In medicine, a substance is used to eliminate the symptoms of acute constipation. Glauber's salt can also be used for prophylactic bowel cleansing before therapeutic fasting.
Using a salt laxative, it is recommended to use a larger amount of pure water to avoid dehydration and the occurrence of side effects in the form of nausea, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance.
To prepare the solution, it is necessary to dilute the powder in clean, warm water. The dosage of sodium sulfate for adults is 15-30 g. It is possible to use the drug in pediatrics. Dosage is calculated depending on the age of the child.
Magnesium sulfate for constipation
Magnesium sulfate is an effective salt laxative, which is popularly known as magnesia, Epsom or bitter salt. In medical practice, this substance has been used for a long time to treat a variety of pathologies. In addition to the laxative effect, magnesium sulfate has an antispasmodic, choleretic, anticonvulsant, hypotensive and vasodilator property.
Magnesium sulfate acts quite softly and does not cause discomfort, like some other laxative drugs. Once in the intestine, the substance creates high osmotic pressure there, which, in turn, helps to improve peristalsis. An insignificant part of the substance is absorbed into the bloodstream, but is quickly excreted from the body through the kidneys.
According to the recommendations of specialists, magnesia should be used if intoxication of the body begins against the background of constipation. Deterioration of health, the appearance of abdominal pain are the first signs of a pathological condition. Magnesium sulfate helps to quickly cleanse the intestines before colonoscopy and other similar studies.
How to use?
Powder for solution preparation can be purchased at the pharmacy. A sachet usually contains 20 or 25 g of magnesium sulfate. To eliminate the symptoms of constipation, magnesium sulfate powder is dissolved in 100 ml of warm water. Dosage is usually calculated according to the age and weight of the patient.
The daily dose should not exceed 4 tablespoons. Adult patients should take 20-25 g of magnesia, children (over 6 years old) - 5-10 g. For babies of the younger age category, magnesia is used as a laxative only as directed by a doctor.
Magnesium sulfate in the liquid does not completely dissolve and also has a pronounced bitter aftertaste. Therefore, many patients add sugar and lemon juice. It is necessary to take saline laxative solution on an empty stomach (preferably in the morning). The effect can occur within 1-2 hours after taking magnesium sulfate. In this case, the urge to defecate can be frequent.
Cooking saline laxative at home
You can cleanse the intestines not only with the help of pharmaceuticals. Salt water will help establish the work of the stomach and intestinal tract . In yoga, this method has its name - shank-prakshalana. However, it can be used only in the absence of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys.
A large amount of drunk salt can cause nausea and vomiting. To avoid this, it is necessary to add a small amount of freshly squeezed lemon juice to the water. Immediately after morning awakening, you should drink a salt laxative.
How to make a saline solution to eliminate constipation and improve the digestive tract? It is important to follow certain recommendations. Water should be purified and boiled. Before cooking, it should be heated to 40 ° C. Salt can be used ordinary table or sea. For 3 liters of water, you need to take three tablespoons (tablespoons) of salt. This is the maximum amount of liquid that can be drunk during the cleansing process. Between fluid intake, certain exercises must be performed.