Activated carbon is a drug belonging to the group of sorbents. One of its areas of application is the treatment of poisoning by neutralizing toxins in the digestive tract and in the blood. Details ahead.
Physical and chemical properties of activated carbon
- Activated carbon is insoluble in water and other solvents, tasteless and odorless.
- Its base is represented by a porous structure. The pore size is proportional to the adsorbing capacity of the drug. Since the reaction occurs on the surface of the substance, and due to the pores, this area is larger compared to a flat surface.
- Adsorbing property - measured using the iodine index, which is calculated by the amount of iodine adsorbed on the surface of activated carbon.
- Resistance to external influences.
- Dependence of the adsorption rate on the size of the substance granules.
- Available in the form of tablets and powder.
The use of activated charcoal for poisoning
Activated charcoal is a multifunctional antidote. The essence of the action of coal in case of poisoning lies in its obstruction of the absorption of toxic substances from the gastrointestinal tract and, thus, their neutralization. It also has the ability to reduce diarrheal syndrome. It is also used in hemosorption to remove toxins from the blood.
Because Activated carbon does not have a selective action, then the neutralization of the poison in the blood is non-specific (non-selective hemosorption).
The use of coal at different stages of relief
There is a general algorithm for the treatment of poisoning. Carbon sorbent is used at the first stage, when it is necessary to prevent the absorption of poison that has entered the stomach, which it does. In this regard, it is convenient to use, since it can be started at the pre-medical stage of care.
In the future, during treatment in a hospital, it is used in hemosorption, which has already been mentioned.
In case of intoxication resulting from the ingress of a poisonous substance into Airways or directly into the bloodstream bypassing the gastrointestinal tract (for example, with an overdose of intravenous drugs), the drug is not effective on initial stage assistance, since it is not absorbed into digestive system.
It is important to remember that activated charcoal is less effective in poisoning with acids, alkalis, alcohol and its surrogates.
The influence of some factors on the action of activated carbon
The effect of activated charcoal in food poisoning depends on the amount of contents in the stomach at the time of taking the medicine. If the stomach was full, then the dose should be higher.
The drug, with a decrease in its concentration in the digestive system, is capable of desorption, that is, releasing the captured "captive" back, so it is important to take it several times a day.
Features of the use of activated carbon
Statistics show that the average medical care when poisoning occurs after a few hours or even days. Therefore, there is an opinion that if a lot of time has passed after poisoning, then there is no point in taking activated charcoal. This opinion is refuted by the study, during which the analysis of the gastric contents of people who died from poisoning was carried out. In all cases, the presence of a poisonous substance in the digestive tract of the victims was confirmed 2-3 days after the ingestion of the toxic substance. The reason for this fact is the ability to accumulate some poisons, the mechanism of which has already been mentioned.
The use of activated charcoal during pregnancy
Is it possible for pregnant women to take activated charcoal in case of poisoning?
The drug does not have a negative effect on the fetus, therefore, in the absence of an allergic reaction to coal, it is used during pregnancy.
Contraindications for use
- The use of activated charcoal in case of poisoning is unacceptable if there is an allergic reaction to the drug. In this case, it is replaced by an analogue.
- Peptic ulcer is also a contraindication. Apparently, this is due to the ability of coal to provoke an exacerbation of the disease.
- With bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract - since the drug can "hide" the true state of affairs and the doctor, when examining such a patient, has the risk of missing the danger.
White coal
It is believed that any charcoal is good for poisoning, and some replace activated charcoal with white. Let's take a look at this question as well.
White coal is produced on the basis of silicon dioxide, which has a good sorption capacity, and microcrystalline cellulose. The latter improves digestion, intestinal motility. The drug has a number of useful properties.
It is soluble in water, therefore it is more convenient for gastric lavage and has an adsorption capacity 2-2.5 times higher compared to activated carbon. Accordingly, the dose required to neutralize toxins will be 2-2.5 times less and, unlike activated charcoal, it does not cause constipation.
The same contraindications plus white coal in case of poisoning is not recommended for pregnant women and during lactation.
The average dose per day of the commercial analogue of white coal - Polysorb MP, for adults is 6-12 teaspoons of powder with a slide, the maximum is 20 teaspoons with a slide.
However, in modern algorithms for rendering emergency care for 2013 there are no indications for white coal. And, more precisely, activated carbon continues to be in the first place, and all other sorbents are in the second place.
Activated charcoal is an indispensable component of a home first aid kit and is a proven remedy for poisoning.
Without this drug, it is impossible to imagine any first-aid kit in the house. This is the first remedy that is used for ailments associated with poisoning. Charcoal black tablets are known as an excellent absorbent that eliminates various toxic substances, which is why activated charcoal has been used to cleanse the body for a long time and with success. Before you start using it, you need to learn how to take the drug so as not to harm your health.
What are the benefits of activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is black tablets, they are enterosorbents. In the pharmacological industry, the production of activated carbon has long been established. Mostly it is made from natural materials, such as birch or coconut peel.
Simple charcoal, which has been used to cleanse the body for many centuries, is able to absorb toxins and poisons and gently remove them from the body through the intestines. Activated charcoal is a modern analogue charcoal packaged. Take pills in the following cases:
- Alcohol poisoning.
- Food poisoning.
- Ingestion of large doses of drugs or prolonged use of toxic drugs.
- Disease of the liver and gallbladder.
- Flatulence.
- Long-term use of antibiotics.
In order for the properties of the drug to be fully manifested, it is necessary to grind it into powder and take it in large quantities with water. Only by observing the correct dosage can a positive effect be achieved from such cleansing and poisoning can be prevented.
There are a number of drugs that cause minimal harm to the body, activated charcoal is on the list of such drugs. The main advantages of tablets are the ability to neutralize dangerous substances.
How to take activated charcoal at home
The most effective method that immediately helps with poisoning is the intake of coal powder diluted in water. So the tool works faster.
You need to drink dissolved tablets in water quickly. Stir the powder to drink until it sinks to the bottom of the glass.
How to properly cleanse the body with activated charcoal
In order to properly clean and not damage the body, it is important to follow some rules.
Enterosorbent is a powerful natural remedy that, like a magnet, attracts everything that is in the intestines. Once in the body, not only dangerous substances enter the zone of its influence, but also very important and necessary ones that are needed to maintain human life. Vitamins, minerals, glucose, amino acids and others necessary products coal takes in and removes from the body.
When using the drug as a "sponge", which absorbs all the bad, you need to remember about correct reception funds. In order for the beneficial substances to remain in the body, and the harmful ones to come out, it is necessary to take activated charcoal for cleansing before eating two hours. Or after eating two hours later. By following such a simple scheme, all important nutrients will enter the bloodstream and fill the body with energy.
What is the correct dosage
Almost any substance that enters the body is absorbed into the blood. Coal does not have such a property, on the contrary, it takes on all the "garbage", it can be used as a cleanser of the intestinal tract. Accumulates in the intestine great amount various slags, mucus, food decay products. If you do not take measures to remove all this, then over time it will manifest itself as disturbances in the functioning of the body.
Cleansing can be carried out for one week. The first question that arises for everyone who decides to try it: how many tablets of activated charcoal do you need to drink in order to properly and effectively cleanse the body?
The recipe is simple - for ten kilograms of a person's body weight, you need to take one tablet of coal. If a person weighs 50 kg, the number of tablets is 5 pieces.
In the morning, 1.5-2 hours before eating, drink required amount drug. For example, five pieces per glass warm water. Repeat all the same before lunch and dinner. The course of taking the funds is 7 days.
The sorbent not only cleanses the intestines, but also the blood, under the action of the drug metabolic processes are accelerated, the work of the alimentary tract is normalized. All toxic substances are bound and excreted.
How to lose weight with activated charcoal
Many use diets in combination with this enterosorbent. This way really works. If a person uses a diet and exercises for weight loss, then cleansing mechanisms are launched to help the body get rid of all decay products, toxins and toxins, you can take activated charcoal tablets.
The dosage of the drug is unchanged one tablet per 10 kilograms of body weight.
Grind the product into powder, mix with a glass of clean water and take it no earlier than one hour before lunch, dinner and breakfast.
In order to lose those extra pounds, you need to try hard. Activated charcoal will help with this if you follow a dietary diet and exercise. An integrated approach always leads to good results. The course is two weeks.
The use of activated charcoal for purification from poisoning
Many conditions associated with poisoning food products, alcohol, allergens, such as citrus fruits, seafood, require, in addition to other drugs prescribed by a doctor, the use of a sorbent.
The main signs of poisoning are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating (flatulence), pallor of the skin, high fever. In such cases, you need to seek medical help.
With mild ailments, you can take activated charcoal at home to remove intoxication.
At the first symptoms of ailments, you need to grind up to ten tablets of the drug, pour the powder into a glass of water and drink the remedy. Repeat the dose after a few hours a few more times until the symptoms of poisoning, such as nausea, pass.
Any medications are chemicals that, if taken for a long time, can be harmful to human health. Black tablets are no exception. In addition to being actively used to cleanse the body, they are also used for flatulence, high level acidity, vomiting, before the diagnosis of the digestive system.
Usually the remedy is used for a single dose in case of severe poisoning. For preventive purposes, coal can be used for no more than two weeks. Doctors know that coal binds in the intestines, in addition to toxins, vitamins, enzymes, and nutrients. Also, prolonged use of the drug leads to poisoning by the coal itself. Symptoms of poisoning can be manifested by nausea, vomiting, and feeling unwell.
Positive properties of activated carbon
- Since the drug is not absorbed into the blood, it can be prescribed during pregnancy.
- A good remedy for poisoning.
- The remedy is available and effective for many ailments.
- Promotes the intestines, removes toxins and toxins.
- Promotes weight loss.
- Has practically no side effects.
Disadvantages of taking the drug
- The medicine should not be taken for ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
- Charcoal promotes constipation.
- Taking pills for a long time can lead to debilitation of the body.
How to take the drug correctly
- It is very important to stick to the dosage. One tablet per 10 kg.
- In large doses, activated charcoal is prescribed by a doctor for severe poisoning.
- You can not take the drug for longer than 2 weeks, in rare exceptions - 1 month.
- Drink a large number of water, it helps to flush out toxins, cleanse the body. Helps prevent constipation.
After you can populate it with beneficial microorganisms. To do this, you need to eat every day. dairy products, yogurt with live cultures, also take probiotics.
03 April 2015 405
Lose weight quickly, without significant investment of material resources for special drugs and diet foods, and most importantly, without harm to their own health - this is the dream of almost every woman.
Are there really such ways to lose weight?
An affirmative answer to this question is given by supporters of the method of weight correction using activated charcoal.
Can this medication really be an alternative to all sorts of diets and exercise?
We talk about this topic in this article.
Activated charcoal and weight loss: what's the connection?
This drug is a sorbent, like a sponge it absorbs and removes poisons, toxins and other substances from the body.
In medicine, this drug is used for diseases of the stomach, diarrhea, poisoning, intestinal infections.
But activated black charcoal has one more thing. important property- it cleanses the entire digestive tract of toxins.
And cleansing the body and losing weight are interconnected concepts.
Method options
The remedy for the weight loss methods described below is taken in tablets, and not in powder or gel.
And it is black coal that is used, and not white, or other analogues of this drug.
Wash down the tablets with plain water in an amount of at least 200 milliliters.
There are several ways to use it for weight loss.
Method number 1: as a supplement to the main diet
Regardless of the way of eating and the amount of excess weight, before each meal (2 hours before) you need to take 2 tablets of the drug.
When using this method, the process of losing weight will go slowly, but surely, without harming the body.
Action a small amount funds will be gentle and soft.
Method number 2: taking pills with an increase in dose
The meaning of this method of losing weight according to the instructions in a gradual increase daily dose activated carbon.
Tablets are drunk daily, at the same time and at one time.
You need to start with 2 tablets, increasing their number by one every day.
When the dose is 7 tablets, the scheme of their intake changes - there is a decrease in the number of pills daily.
The course of cleansing the body ends when a single portion of the product does not amount to 2 pieces.
The effectiveness of this method will be noticeable by the end of the course, the weight may decrease from 1 to 4 kg.
Method number 3: accurate calculation of the daily portion
The idea of this method is to calculate the daily dose of the drug in relation to body weight.
For every 10 kilograms of weight, there is 1 tablet of coal (the standard dosage is 0.25 g).
The number of tablets that you need to consume per day must be divided into equal portions.
They should be drunk in several doses 1.5-2 hours before meals.
For example, if the weight is 100 kg, you need to drink 10 tablets per day.
If a person eats 4 times a day, then these 10 tablets can be taken twice in 2 pieces and twice in 3 pieces.
Thus, in a day, all 10 tablets will be drunk.
The effectiveness of this method is high, for one course of weight loss with the help of activated carbon it can take up to 4 kg excess weight.
Course duration
Any of the described options for taking this drug for weight correction is used in a course lasting no more than 10 days.
After - you should take a ten-day break.
The maximum number of weight loss cycles is 3.
It will be possible to repeat them only after half a year.
Strict water and activated charcoal diet
The meaning of the technique is to take activated charcoal tablets in a course of 10 days.
Them daily rate no more than 9 pieces.
You need to drink pills with clean water in a single amount of 200 ml.
In addition, nothing else is introduced into the diet, that is, water starvation occurs.
This diet is categorically contraindicated for those who suffer from diseases of the stomach and intestines, complicated by bleeding, as well as for people who have suffered damage to the mucous membranes of the digestive organs.
The effectiveness of a strict diet on activated carbon for weight loss is high - 5 or more kilograms of weight are taken in 10 days.
Features of the fight against excess weight
Activated charcoal removes useful elements from the body along with harmful substances: hormones, enzymes, minerals and vitamins, some of the proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
Taking this drug promotes deep cleansing of the gastrointestinal tract.
For this reason, it is important to subsequently carry out work to restore the microflora.
This should be a course of taking probiotics and a vitamin-mineral complex.
To improve digestion, after cleansing the body, it is recommended to drink enzyme preparations (Mezim, Festal, Panzinorm) for 7-10 days.
In order for the effectiveness of weight loss methods on black coal to be high, it is necessary to adhere not only to the scheme of its intake, but also to proper nutrition.
For the period of the course of cleansing the body, you need to give up heavy, fatty and sweet foods.
It is important to consume more fluids, it helps to remove decay products and toxins, which has a beneficial effect on the normalization of metabolic processes and, accordingly, weight stabilization.
Discussion of the topic in the program studio:
Side effects
As mentioned above, black coal does not have a selective effect, it removes from the body all absorbed substances - useful and harmful.
As a result, the work of the digestive tract can be unbalanced.
Hence, the following side effects are possible:
- nausea;
- heartburn;
- constipation;
- flatulence;
- slow passage of food through the intestines;
- feeling of heaviness in the stomach;
- colic;
- decrease in the body's resistance to infections.
More serious side effects occur in cases where the drug causes an allergic reaction: swelling of the nose and lips, difficulty breathing, rash on the skin.
During the period of taking the remedy to combat excess weight, you should not use other drugs, because the sorbing properties of coal may not affect the effectiveness of other drugs on the body in the most positive way.
According to experts, activated charcoal is not a fat-burning agent, but it cleanses the body well, neutralizing decay products.
Therefore, as an independent drug that promotes weight loss, it is not effective.
But, as an additional tool for weight correction methods, you can use it, but only within reasonable limits and under the strict supervision of a doctor.
If you are looking for effective diet then take a look at this:
How to lose weight with water? How much should I drink and how? Read about all this in our next
And now let's move on to sweets, because without them, well, in any way! you can find out what is the benefit and harm of chocolate for the body.
Today on the Internet you can find a lot of instructions for the use of activated charcoal, which talk about how to lose weight on this drug, and at the same time restore youth and beauty.
Unfortunately, this drug does not have such fabulous possibilities. So, let's figure out what this drug is and what it should be used for.
Activated carbon is made from oxygenated wood, peat and coke. The drug has a highly porous structure, which allows it to capture toxic molecules, the mass of which exceeds its own by 1000 times.
The surface of coal carries a small negative charge. Therefore, positively charged molecules bind to it most effectively. Usually these are the toxins in the intestines.
Since coal is not absorbed by humans, it allows you to completely remove all the toxins it has collected from the body.
So, what is the drug, we figured it out. Now let's move on to what activated charcoal is for, how to drink it correctly and what are the instructions for use.
Main useful properties
Treatment of poisoning
Activated charcoal can bind and deactivate toxins. Therefore, it is often useful in the treatment of various poisonings.
The drug helps with:
- ordinary food intoxication;
- poisoning with toxins of heavy metals, pesticides, some household chemicals;
- overdose medicines- aspirin, paracetamol, opioids and certain other anti-anxiety medications.
At the same time, it is completely ineffective for neutralizing potassium, lithium, iron, methanol, acids and alkalis. Shows insignificant activity at alcohol intoxication.
For the drug to work, it must be taken no later than an hour after the introduction of toxic substances into the body.
It has been established that coal used 5 minutes after an overdose of the drug can bind up to 74% of the poisonous substance, after 30 minutes - 50%, after an hour - 20%.
How to take activated charcoal for poisoning
In case of accidental or intentional overdose of drugs - 50-100 grams for an adult, 10-25 grams for a child. as fast as possible with large quantity water. Do not confuse - grams, not milligrams! Then an ambulance is called and no more independent treatment is carried out.
Activated charcoal for diarrhea and nausea caused by the usual food intoxication, start taking with 25-100 grams for adults. Depending on the body weight of the patient and the severity of his condition.
If the treatment does not help, they refuse it and seek medical help.
Activated charcoal for cleansing the body of a child aged from one to 13 years after food poisoning is used at the rate of 0.5-1 grams per kilogram of body weight. This is the first dose. Then 1 gram per kg of body weight every 2 hours, or 2 grams every 4. If it does not help, consult a doctor.
The fight against flatulence
The drug binds FODMAPs compounds, which are formed after eating certain foods and cause increased gas formation. you can find a list of such products.
For the treatment of flatulence, activated charcoal is taken 500-1000 mg up to four times a day. Such instructions for use are indicated for adults and children from 3 years of age.
The most effective regimen requires the use of 500 mg of the drug one hour before a meal with FODMAP source foods. And then another 500 mg right after it.
The tablets must be taken with plenty of water.
Cleansing the body
It must be said right away that many experts doubt that people who have not undergone some kind of obvious intoxication need to cleanse the body with activated charcoal. And the point here is not that the drug does not help, but that such cleaning is simply not needed.
However, doctors who adhere to a naturopathic view of medicine usually say that the body, and mainly the intestines, needs to be cleansed from time to time of toxins accumulating there. It can help increase overall energy potential, reduce joint pain, and improve the functioning of the immune system.
Rules on how to take activated charcoal to cleanse the body
Take 10 grams 90 minutes before meals for 2 days.
All the while eating only organic clean products nutrition. Otherwise, cleansing is meaningless.
Some experts also advise taking the drug daily, 2 tablets. Especially after those meals that you suspect of containing harmful components: dyes, preservatives, pesticides, etc.
There is a hypothesis that cleansing the body with charcoal helps to treat allergies, especially food allergies. There is no rigorous clinical evidence for this. However, according to reviews of some allergy sufferers, the method really works. So, it's worth a try.
Fighting a hangover
Activated charcoal cannot help with real alcohol poisoning. But it can prevent the development hangover syndrome and reduce alcohol intoxication. But only if it is taken before and during the libation, and not after.
The mechanism of action of the drug is simple. First, it absorbs a certain amount of alcohol. Secondly, it effectively neutralizes a variety of toxins present in drinking. Often it is these “additional” compounds that cause severe hangovers.
To prevent a hangover and reduce intoxication before drinking alcohol, you need to drink 2 tablets of activated charcoal. Then take 1 piece after each serving of alcohol. But no more than 6 pieces.
If taking the medicine during the feast is not possible, then it is recommended to immediately take 4-6 tablets, be sure to drink them with a significant amount of water.
weight loss on charcoal
What is the essence of the theory?
Fans of weight loss with this drug believe that:
- removal of toxins from the body can speed up metabolism;
- coal adsorbs food fats on its surface, and this prevents their absorption;
- a decrease in gas formation helps fight bloating, that is, visually it becomes smaller;
- the use of the drug reduces appetite.
But does it all really work?
Does not suppress appetite
If you eat 7-8 tablets each time before meals, there is a small chance that this will reduce your appetite. Lower dosages do not work.
However, taking such a huge number of pills every day for a sufficiently long amount of time is fraught with side effects. Therefore, this should by no means be done.
Moreover, the appetite may remain high. Since with the massive use of coal, it significantly impairs the absorption of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. And this is not only dangerous to health, but can also lead to increased feelings of hunger.
Does not block fat absorption
Activated charcoal does not bind food fats. Therefore, it cannot affect the absorption of calories from these same fats. It interacts with bile, which is necessary for the normal absorption of fatty foods by the body. However, this interaction is insignificant and practically does not affect the intensity of digestion of fatty foods.
The fact that the drug does not bind the fatty elements of the products and does not affect their absorption in any way is evidenced by the fact that no fats are found in the feces after ingestion. Whereas after other weight loss supplements that really do not allow fats to be absorbed, they are.
However, this is not worth worrying about, as the presence of fat in the stool indicates digestive problems, which in fact can cause some dietary supplements for weight loss. Coal does not have such a harmful effect on the body.
Does not remove slags, because they are not
The hypothesis that cleansing the body with activated charcoal can lead to weight loss is also untenable.
Usually they talk about some toxins that accumulate in the human body and lead to weight gain. But the fact is that no one has ever singled out these same slags, photographed them, or described them scientifically.
People have learned to capture even individual molecules. But until now they have not found those very slags that lie in kilograms in the body of almost every person? Why? Apparently, because there are no slags.
And people get fat not about them, but from malnutrition.
Yes, at the same time, a change in the intestinal microflora, worsening of digestion and other health problems can be observed. But they, unfortunately, cannot be cured with activated charcoal.
So it turns out that the answer to the question “is it possible to lose weight with activated charcoal?” simple and uninteresting - no, you can't.
Why are there positive reviews about losing weight with this method?
Because almost all methods of getting rid of excess weight "using coal" involve following strict diets. Often fasting.
Of course, such drastic measures can lead to weight loss. Another thing is that it is unlikely to be healthy and sustainable. But for some time it will be possible to reduce body weight. But not only because coal was used, but because there was the strictest organic calorie intake.
Contraindications and side effects
Most people tolerate the drug well.
- The most common side effects of its massive use are black stools and constipation. To avoid the second side effect, it is necessary to drink coal with plenty of water. And in general, drink more fluids on the days of taking it.
- In some people, the drug can cause nausea and even vomiting. In this case, it should be discontinued.
- In case of severe poisoning, activated charcoal can be given to the victim only if the person is fully conscious.
- Also, taking the medication should be abandoned for those who have recently undergone surgery on the gastrointestinal tract or suffer from severe intestinal pathologies.
- Activated charcoal can change the activity of some drugs. The list of such medicines is long. It includes aspirin, paracetamol, tricyclic antidepressants, methadone and many others. Therefore, before taking coal, be sure to read the instructions for taking your main drug, it will indicate whether it is combined with coal or not.
- The drug is never taken in conjunction with laxatives or emetics.
- Its excessively abundant reception is also contraindicated. Since it can lead to a serious violation of the absorption of nutrients. And this will have a negative impact on health.
Can pregnant women take activated charcoal?
There is no scientific evidence that the drug can somehow change the course of pregnancy. However, special positive influence for pregnant women, it also does not possess.
Some time ago, there was evidence that coal can eliminate cholestasis in early dates pregnancy. This information was not confirmed in further studies.
Sometimes women who are expecting a baby report that the drug helped them reduce the symptoms of toxicosis or heartburn. This effect of activated charcoal has never been studied clinically.
Therefore, the recommendation is simple: if it helps you, take it. This drug is not prohibited during pregnancy. Just remember that one of its side effects is constipation, which expectant mothers are already prone to.
The effect of the drug on quality breast milk has also never been studied. It is believed to be missing. That is, coal can be taken while breastfeeding.
Outdoor options
Restoration of whiteness to teeth
Teeth whitening with activated charcoal at home is the easiest and safest way to restore your smile to its radiance.
The drug removes excess bacterial deposits from the surface of the teeth, as well as the smallest particles of food. And thus makes the teeth whiter. And, in addition, it helps to prevent caries and other dental pathologies.
To whiten teeth, an activated charcoal tablet is crushed and then a wet toothbrush is dipped into the powder.
Brush your teeth as usual, paying special attention to those areas that are visible when smiling.
Then rinse your mouth thoroughly.
The procedure is checked 2-3 times a week.
Attention! Teeth whitening with activated charcoal should not be performed if there are crowns or veneers in the mouth, since such artificial formations, unlike living teeth, darken from the drug.
Removing itching after insect vinegar
To reduce pain and eliminate itching after an insect bite, even as “serious” as a wasp or bee, you need to take 1 tablet of coal and grind it.
Then mix with ½ tablespoon which is often associated with eliminating skin problems.
A mixture of coal-coconut oil is applied to the bite site every 30 minutes until the unpleasant symptoms disappear.
Acne and pimple treatment
The powder obtained from one tablet of the drug is mixed with 2 teaspoons of a cosmetic gel containing aloe vera and applied to problem areas of the skin. They let it soak in. Then rinse your face with water.
When and how to take activated charcoal: conclusions
Today this medicine attributed many miraculous properties. For example, they say that it can help you lose weight. Such statements are not true.
Activated charcoal is a sorbent that is useful for poisoning, flatulence, food infections. It helps to cleanse the intestines of toxins and prevents the development of a hangover.
The general instructions for use states that children from one year old and adults should take 1 tablet for every 10 kg of body weight.
That is, the answer to the question “how many tablets of activated charcoal should I drink if I weigh 70 kg?” - such - 7 tablets.
Just do it when necessary and not often. And not regularly - for mythical weight loss and youth preservation.
RELATED MATERIALS
Activated charcoal is perhaps the very first sorbent drug used to treat poisoning since ancient times. And now, despite the wide choice of modern analogues, coal is quite popular due to its unchanged properties and availability.
Charcoal tablets are made from organic materials: wood, coke, coconut shells and other porous materials. First, the raw materials are charred and then activated at very high temperatures, which ensures its porosity and excellent sorption capacity. Charcoal is a universal antidote, as it neutralizes and removes all types of toxins from the blood and digestive tract.
Action of activated charcoal in case of poisoning
The essence of the action of the sorbent in case of poisoning is to prevent the absorption of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract and their further distribution through the circulatory system. Therefore, in case of any poisoning, it is recommended to use it as first aid at the first stage.
In the future, if the absorption of poisons did occur, coal can be used for hemosorption (purification of blood outside the body), which is often done in stationary conditions in the treatment of severe poisoning. In the body, the sorbent acts only through the digestive tract. So, with intoxication caused by the ingress of toxins into the blood or respiratory organs directly (drug overdose), coal is ineffective.
Note! The sorbent effect of the drug food poisoning depends on the volume of the contents of the stomach. If at the time of taking the sorbent the stomach is full, then you should take a dose more than usually recommended.
At a low concentration in the gastrointestinal tract, coal is able to release toxic substances back, therefore, for complete adsorption, it is recommended to take the agent several times.
At the first stage, coal is used to cleanse the stomach. Powder (10 g) or crushed tablets (10-20 pcs.) Should be added to water and drunk, then induce vomiting. The procedure must be repeated at least 3 times. You should not be afraid of an overdose - all the coal will come out with vomit. Further, after complete washing, the drug must be taken again for a therapeutic purpose in an amount corresponding to the weight of the patient.
How to drink activated charcoal - instructions
- In case of poisoning, charcoal is recommended to be taken in the form aqueous solution, which is prepared very simply: tablets at the rate of 1 piece / 10 kg of weight must be crushed, poured with cool water and mixed.
- You need to drink the solution quickly, until all the coal has sunk to the bottom. Alternatively, tablets can simply be chewed well, which is not very pleasant, and washed down with plain water in large quantities.
- For gastric lavage, a solution prepared from coal powder (sold in a pharmacy) is used at a concentration of 1 tbsp. spoon / 1 l. water. In the absence of powder, crushed tablets can be used.
It is enough to take coal until the acute symptoms are eliminated: diarrhea, vomiting. With severe intoxication the drug is allowed to be taken for 10 days, but not more. The interval between taking coal and other drugs should be at least 1 hour.
For mild poisoning without acute symptoms, a single dose of the drug is recommended to be divided into 3 doses. So if a person's weight is 60 kg, then 6 tablets should be divided into 2 for each dose. In case of severe poisoning with repeated vomiting, the dose can be increased to 10-20 tablets, regardless of weight, or the drug can be taken more often - every 1-1.5 hours.
Features of the use of activated carbon
Charcoal is completely non-toxic - it can be taken in significant doses without fear of overdose. However, there are some features that need to be considered when taking the sorbent:
- coal has a high ability to remove not only harmful substances, but also microelements, enzymes, beneficial bacteria, therefore, after treatment with a sorbent, it is necessary to take probiotics, vitamin and mineral complexes to replenish lost useful substances;
- long-term or repeated use of coal can lead to stool adhesion (constipation);
- coal is poorly compatible with antibiotics, hormonal and vitamin preparations, contraceptives - in many cases it simply neutralizes their effect.
With caution, you need to use coal to cleanse the intestines and the body as a whole. During cleansing, significant weight loss occurs, along with which the body loses some of the proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Against the background of a deficiency of these nutrients, the likelihood of developing anemia, reduced immunity and, as a result, disruption of the work of many organs increases.
Coal is considered a safe and fast acting sorbent., which is important in childhood poisoning. Many pediatricians advise taking it for diarrhea and vomiting, which in children are most often caused by an intestinal infection. Charcoal quickly binds and removes toxins, and also neutralizes the action of bacteria that cause an infectious process, so it is simply irreplaceable as a first aid.
Treatment of a child with coal, in principle, does not differ from the treatment of an adult, with the exception of some points:
- it is necessary to dose the drug at the rate of 0.05 g / 1 kg of weight (1 tablet weighs 0.25 g);
- you need to take the sorbent after eating after 2 hours - this will help to avoid the neutralization of nutrients from food;
- the child should be given crushed tablets or powder (suspension) diluted with water from a spoon;
- you can take coal for a child no more than 3 days, in order to avoid fastening the stool;
- children under one year of age, the drug is not recommended, in special cases, the reception is possible only as prescribed by the pediatrician.
If it is difficult to calculate the exact dosage of the sorbent, you should not attach much importance to this - there will be no harm to the health of the baby from an extra charcoal tablet.
Can pregnant women drink the drug?
A drug does not have any negative effect on the fetus therefore, in the absence of an allergy to the sorbent, pregnant women can use it without fear for the development of the baby. In case of poisoning, pregnant women take the sorbent in a standard dosage: 1 tablet / 10 kg of weight.
Of course, it is not advisable for a pregnant woman to self-medicate, especially gastric lavage, since gag reflexes can tone the uterus.
The drug can be taken not only during poisoning, but also in other cases that often occur during pregnancy: gastrointestinal disorders of unknown origin, toxicosis, heartburn. The main thing is to take the sorbent only if necessary and remember that in large doses it can lead to constipation, which is highly undesirable in this position.
Contraindications
Some instructions for the use of coal indicate that the drug has no contraindications. However doctors do not advise taking it in the following situations:
- with peptic ulcer - a strong sorption effect of the drug can provoke an exacerbation;
- with internal gastric bleeding;
- with intolerance to the drug, which is extremely rare.
