How to choose a bowel cleansing powder before surgery?

Colon cleansing powder is most often used before surgery and endoscopic examination of the intestine.

For preventive purposes, to cleanse the body of waste and toxins, it can be used no more than once a year.

Unlike tablet preparations, the choice of powders is quite limited.

How to understand that the intestines need to be cleansed?

The main signs indicating the need for cleaning include:

• decreased immunity;
• frequent colds;
• chronic fatigue;
• allergic reactions;
• skin problems;
• “rumbling” in the stomach;
• bloating;
• problems with stool;
• heaviness in the stomach, etc.

Photo: 9nong/.com

Colon cleansing may also be required before certain medical procedures. For example, before surgery or ultrasound.

Method two: Fiber

If an enema for a number of reasons is not possible or is not pleasant for you, use this method to cleanse the intestines.

Fiber is a naturally occurring plant fiber found in some fruits, vegetables and grains. Fiber has no calories, but it has volume and the ability to absorb waste, toxins, excess moisture and remove it from the body. In addition, fiber enhances peristalsis, which prevents congestion.

The best sources of fiber (in descending order) are:

• Bran
• Meal of cereals and seeds
• cucumbers
• Apples

To cleanse the intestines with fiber, you can do the following:

1. Use ready-made bran or meal, which can be purchased at a pharmacy or in the health food section of a supermarket. You can also buy good fiber in eco-shops. You need to consume fiber in the form of a cocktail: 3 – 4 tbsp. l. Mix fiber with a glass of kefir or yogurt. Leave to sit for about 5 minutes until it swells a little. Then consume half an hour before meals or season a salad with this mixture, which will make it very filling.
2. Use prepared fiber as a seasoning. To do this, just add a tablespoon of fiber to all kinds of dishes. Moreover, you don’t have to soak it in liquid first.
3. Use ready-made fiber as a meal replacement. If you need to cleanse your intestines in order to lose weight and improve your health, you should make a cocktail from it (see recipe 1) and replace breakfast and dinner with it.
4. Eat cucumbers every day, either separately or prepare salads or smoothies, which are consumed half an hour before meals.
5. Eat two green apples daily. You can also prepare a salad of apples, pumpkins and carrots, seasoned with a small amount of yogurt and nuts.

Helpful Tips:

• Tip 1. Before consuming ready-made fiber, consult your doctor. Make sure that you do not have intestinal obstruction or other diseases. This will help prevent negative consequences of the procedure.
• Tip 2. Combine fiber intake with a gentle, non-calorie diet. At the same time, make sure that it is balanced. This will help enhance the effectiveness of intestinal cleansing with fiber, as well as restore normal digestion processes and natural cleansing of the body. It will also improve bowel movements and improve immunity.

Top

The best drugs for colon cleansing

The choice of drugs for intestinal cleansing is best left to your doctor. Most of them are sold in pharmacies without a prescription. These can be suppositories, suspensions, suppositories or tablets. Pharmacy products are fast acting and safe. However, you should not use them for longer than a certain time. Otherwise, you may trigger lazy bowel syndrome.

Saline-type laxatives

Such laxatives contain salts - Epsom, Glauber's, etc. Once in the body, they retain water inside the intestines. As a result, stool softens and increases in volume. Pressure on the intestines increases and the person feels the urge to defecate. The effect of taking it occurs after about 3 hours. It all depends on the characteristics of the body. Taking such drugs on an ongoing basis is not recommended.

Osmotic laxatives

The principle of action is similar to salt preparations. However, they can be used in longer courses. Osmotic laxatives are suitable for the treatment of chronic constipation. This group includes:

• Duphalac;
• Forlax;
• Macrogol, etc.

Photo: Raihana Asral / .com

Stimulants

The action of drugs in this group is aimed at irritating the intestinal walls. The effect of taking it occurs after about 8-10 hours. As a result, feces begin to move through the intestines, and the person experiences a strong urge to defecate. Stimulant laxatives should not be taken for a long time, as they have many contraindications. It is recommended to take the medicine before bedtime. This category includes:

• Ganaton;
• Regulax;
• Senade, etc.

Stool softeners

These preparations are made on the basis of paraffins and oils. They have a mild effect. Very often they are recommended to patients after undergoing surgical interventions. They can be produced in the form of a suppository. These include:

• Vaseline suppositories;
• Glycerin suppositories, etc.

Photo: ADragan/.com

Prebiotics and probiotics

Drugs in this group are aimed at restoring normal intestinal microflora. They require a long course of treatment, but guarantee a sustainable result. They can be taken by children of any age, pregnant women and nursing mothers. This may include:

• Hilak Forte;
• Acipol;
• Bifiform, etc.

Antiparasitic agents

Sometimes the problem lies in the presence of parasites in the intestines. To eliminate them, pharmaceutical products in the form of tablets are used. They are toxic to helminths, but safe for humans. A single application is sufficient to achieve the effect. Antiparasitic drugs include:

• Nemozol;
• Dekaris;
• Wormil, etc.

When taking them, you must follow a strict dosage. We must not forget about their toxic properties. It is best if your doctor selects the appropriate drug for you.

Useful tips

To cleanse the intestines as completely as possible, you must refrain from eating large amounts of food before surgery and do not eat solid foods. The patient's diet should include broths, jelly, water and tea. The last meal should be no later than 8 hours before surgery. You need to give up even water 4 hours before. Thanks to this, it will be possible not to use an enema for cleansing, but to limit oneself only to laxatives.

Surgery is a serious test for the body. To minimize any negative consequences, you should seriously prepare for it. One of the stages of preparation is a complete cleansing of the intestines. If all cleansing measures are carried out correctly, this will ensure not only the normal completion of the operation, but will also significantly reduce the recovery time after it. But the recovery period is no less important than the preparation and the operation itself.

Top best drugs for cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins

To fully cleanse the intestines of waste and toxins, you may need to undergo special procedures. However, you can cope with constipation and a number of other problems at home, using drugs that have a pronounced laxative effect. Below are the most effective means.

Fortrans

This is a powder for preparing an aqueous solution. It retains moisture in the intestines. As a result, the stool softens and swells. The advantages of the drug include:

• effective cleansing of all parts of the intestines;
• no side effects;
• maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.

Taking Fortrans does not cause dehydration. It can be taken by adults and children over 15 years of age. The medicine is prohibited for use in people with the following pathologies:

• intestinal obstruction;
• heart problems;
• tumors in the intestines;
• the presence of allergic reactions to the components of the drug.

Lavacol

Osmotic laxative. Sold in powder form for preparing a drinking solution. The principle of operation is similar to the previously described Fortrans. The drug gently and painlessly cleanses the intestines. Its advantages include:

• rapid cleansing of all parts of the intestines;
• safety;
• Suitable for the treatment of chronic constipation.

Lavacol is prescribed to patients before surgery or x-ray examination. The product is recommended only for adult patients. Contraindications for use are:

• intolerance;
• age under 18 years;
• stomach ulcer;
• intestinal obstruction;
• inflammatory and tumor diseases of the intestine;
• heart failure.

Magnesium Sulfate

An inexpensive pharmaceutical product that is often used to cleanse the intestines of toxins and heavy metal salts. The drug is prescribed with caution for kidney disease and individual intolerance. Magnesia is used to prepare a solution that begins to act within half an hour after administration. On the day of magnesium cleansing, it is not recommended to only use light broths and drink more water. During pregnancy, the drug is prescribed with great caution.

Evacue

Rectal suppositories that cleanse the intestines of toxins and feces. The drug contains components of non-chemical origin. They are completely harmless, do not cause allergies or side effects. Penetrating into the rectum, the components of the suppositories react. Carbon dioxide is produced, which expands and relaxes the muscles. As a result, feces are literally pushed out. The drug is recommended in the following cases:

• for chronic constipation;
• for the treatment of constipation in children and pregnant women;
• before preparing for surgical interventions, etc.

Evacue is a stimulant. Long-term use can cause lazy bowel syndrome. As a result, the constipation situation will only get worse.

Fleet

A salt-based medicine that allows you to cleanse the intestines at home. The product is recommended for single use in case of constipation or before preparing for surgery. Long-term use can cause dehydration and worsen kidney problems. The drug is strictly prohibited for use by persons under 18 years of age. Among the advantages of the medicine are its effectiveness and speed of action.

Senade

Plant-based cleansing tablets. The laxative effect occurs 8-10 hours after administration. The medicine increases peristalsis. Suitable for treating constipation and cleansing the intestines of waste and toxins. The drug can also be taken by patients after undergoing surgical interventions. Contraindications for use are:

• intestinal obstruction;
• cystitis;
• abdominal pain of unknown origin;
• internal bleeding;
• inflammatory and tumor diseases.

Photo: vectorfusionart / .com

Intestinal cleansing drugs can quickly cope with the problem. However, they have their contraindications. Do not abuse them and take longer than the time indicated in the instructions. You should also consult your doctor before taking it. Colon cleansing is an important procedure that requires a professional approach.

Rules for cleansing the stomach without an enema

Effectively cleansing the large and small intestines before surgery without an enema has become possible thanks to numerous high-quality laxatives. Relying on one drug is not enough. It is necessary to additionally follow the rules for the cleaning to go well:

• see the instructions, take the drug according to the recommendations;
• Do not increase the dosage yourself! Medicines have side effects caused by overdose. The same applies to the frequency of administration. If the instructions say about a one-time dose of the drug, then it is taken only 1 time per day;
• Before using the medicine, consult your doctor. If the prescribed medicine is not suitable, change it or consult your doctor;
• Pay attention to contraindications to drug treatment. For hemorrhoids, anal fissure, paraproctitis, and gastrointestinal bleeding, most laxatives are not used. Be carefull!

Recommended diet before visiting a proctologist

The day before a visit to the doctor, exclude fatty, fried, heavy fish and meat dishes, and mushrooms from the diet. It is advisable to eat vegetable soups, cereals, white meat chicken or turkey, a lot of vegetables and fruits, which stimulate peristalsis as they contain a lot of fiber.

You should not eat foods that cause gas formation in the intestines and flatulence: legumes, potatoes, cabbage, carbonated drinks, black and whole grain bread. It is necessary to completely eliminate alcohol, because it has a bad effect on the condition of the gastrointestinal tract.

On the day of your appointment, you should not eat for several hours before the proctological examination. If you go to the doctor in the first half of the day, it is better not to eat in the evening. If the reception is late in the evening, a light breakfast is allowed. You can drink water, fruit juices without sugar and pulp until your appointment.

If the reception takes place in the first half of the day, then there is no need to have breakfast. If in the second case and the patient cannot remain without food for a long time, then you can allow yourself a light breakfast of foods that do not cause gas formation.

It is recommended to take slippers, a diaper and toilet paper with you.

Patient reviews

Yulia, Moscow: “They suggested doing colonics before surgery on the small intestine. I was very doubtful and worried, but it turned out that everything was happening very delicately. The conditions are comfortable, all materials are disposable. The process is unpleasant, but there is no painful sensation. But afterwards you feel clean and light. And the doctor praised me after the operation for having a clean intestine.”

Irma, Perm: “Before the operation, I took a laxative for quick cleansing. It works effectively, and you don’t need to go for an enema in the morning. But the taste is unpleasant, and drinking a whole liter of solution at a time is very difficult.”

Ilya, Ryazan: “I had polyps removed from my intestines. I took Fortrans. Very convenient, no awkward procedures in the enema room. I am glad that the doctor recommended this remedy to me.”

Before surgery

Ask your doctor about your medications

You may need to stop taking certain medications before surgery. Your healthcare provider will tell you which medications you should and should not take. Review Common Medicines Containing Aspirin and Other Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Herbal Remedies and Cancer Treatment, provided by your nurse.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking pain relievers or anti-anxiety medications. It is important to continue taking these medications on time even during treatment. You may be able to take them the morning of surgery if needed.

Information about sleep apnea attacks

Sleep apnea is a common breathing disorder that causes a person to briefly stop breathing during sleep. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). When you have OSA, the airways become completely blocked during sleep. OSA can cause serious complications during and after surgery.

Let us know if you have sleep apnea or think you might have one. If you use a breathing machine (CPAP) to prevent sleep apnea, take it with you on the day of surgery.

Arrange for someone to take you home

You must have a responsible companion to take you home after the procedure. Agree on this in advance, before the day of the procedure.

If you are unable to find someone to drive you home, call one of the agencies listed below. You will be provided with an escort to take you home. There is usually a fee for these services and you will need to provide transportation.

Agencies in New York	Agencies in New Jersey
Partners in Care: 888-735-8913	Caring People: 877-227-4649
Caring People: 877-227-4649

We recommend that you arrange for someone to help you at home for the first 24 hours after your surgery.

Fill out the health care proxy form

If you have not yet filled out a Health Care Proxy form, we recommend that you do so now. If you have already filled out this form or have other advance directives, please bring them with you to your next visit.

A Health Care Power of Attorney is a legal document that names the person who will represent you if you are unable to do so yourself. The person you name will be your health care representative.

Talk to your nurse if you are interested in filling out a health care proxy. You may also want to read Advance Care Planning and How to Be a Health Care Agent for information about health care powers of attorney, other advance directives, and the responsibilities of a health care agent.

Buy everything you need

Hibiclens®

Buy a bottle of Hibiclens (chlorhexidine) cleanser if needed. Hibiclens is a skin cleanser that kills various microorganisms and prevents their reappearance within 24 hours after use. By showering with Hibiclens before surgery, you will reduce the risk of infection after surgery. You can buy it at your nearest pharmacy without a prescription. Some operations do not require washing with Hibiclens.

Bowel preparation

You may need to cleanse your bowels before surgery. Your healthcare provider will tell you how to do this and what it will take. It is also recommended to purchase clear zero diet drinks to drink throughout the day before surgery. Examples of such drinks are listed in the material Zero Healing Diet. Some surgeries do not require bowel preparation prior to surgery.

to come back to the beginning

Types of enemas to prepare for surgery

Most often, cleansing enemas are required in preparation for surgery. They allow you to remove feces and gases from the large intestine. Usually boiled water at room temperature and an Esmarch mug are used. Volume for an adult - 2 liters, for a child - 0.5 (babies under one year old from 50 to 150 ml).

Siphon procedure is a type of purification using a funnel, high-level oscillation and reduction of liquid introduced under pressure with passive release of the contents. Washing is done until clean effluent water is obtained.

Less commonly, for depleted and weakened patients in cases of repeated surgery, therapeutic and nutritional enemas are required. Administration of drugs through the rectum is used under conditions of inability to swallow or damage to the upper parts of the digestive tract. In order to improve absorption through the intestinal wall, a cleansing enema must first be given. The volume is 50–100 ml, the temperature is slightly above the body (40–42 degrees). Rubber syringes, ready-made microenemas, a catheter and Zhanne syringes are used. The method is used for administering local anesthetic drugs before short operations and painful dressings.

Important! Nutrient enemas are given by drip solutions with protein and fat mixtures, ready-made preparations for parenteral infusion. Concentrated glucose provides a weakened patient with energy, proteins help speed up healing in the postoperative period.

pharmachologic effect

Fortrans colon cleansing powder has the ability to quickly and completely dissolve in liquid, maintains electrolyte balance without causing dehydration. Penetrating into the body, the active substances capture the thin and thick parts of the intestinal system without causing a toxic effect on the human body.

The ingredients have a laxative effect, increasing the osmotic pressure in the intestines and retaining water. This leads to the dissolution of the food bolus, swelling in the volume of the contents of the digestive canal, activation of peristalsis and the urge to empty.

The use of Fortrans leads to increased intestinal contractions and the need to defecate. Unlike similar medications, which act on the lower regions of the intestine without affecting the upper, the powder flushes the entire system completely.

A laxative does not provoke excessive loss of fluid from internal organs and, as a result, dehydration. In addition, the medication does not penetrate the bloodstream, does not dissolve in the digestive tract, and is removed from the body in unchanged form.

The therapeutic effect begins 60-90 minutes after consumption and lasts from 2 to 5 hours

.

If there is no effect within 2-3 hours from the moment of taking the liquid, the patient should massage the stomach and also move more actively.

Fortrans is a product that should not be used regularly. The drug is taken for a one-time bowel cleanse; it is not suitable for the systematic elimination of constipation.

Cleansing of the intestinal system occurs due to repeated acts of defecation that occur under the influence of consuming the next portion of the solution. It is the portioned method of taking diluted powder that allows for gentle and effective cleansing, as well as preventing the loss of electrolytes that occurs during bowel movements. Most often, after completion of the procedure, the patient quickly restores normal bowel movements.

Analogs

The powder has proven itself to be the best, however, due to the rather high cost, many people have found a replacement for it with other, cheaper medicines. In addition, most patients cannot tolerate the taste of the solution, which leads to incomplete consumption of the volume

. Also, the drug is contraindicated in children, unlike other drugs with a similar effect.

On pharmacy counters you can find various drugs containing the same active ingredient as Fortrans - macrogol (polyethylene glycol). You can replace Fortrans to cleanse the intestines with the following medications:

• "Lavacol."
• "Osmogol."
• "Forlax".
• "Transipeg."
• "Forteza Rompharm".
• "Realaxan".

These products are similar in indications and have the same limitations.

. In case of individual intolerance, drugs can be replaced with drugs that have other active ingredients, but have a similar effect:

• "Duphalac".
• "Bioflorax".
• "Lactuvit."

Analogues also include “Goodluck” in the form of syrup, magnesium sulfate powder, “Normaze” in syrup, “Transulose” in the form of a gel, “Bisacodyl” - a product produced in the form of tablets and suppositories. These tablets, instead of an enema, effectively cope with chronic constipation and can be used in childhood.

Before abdominal surgery, bowel cleansing is most often required. This is done to make it easier and more convenient for the surgeon to operate on the pathological area, as well as to prevent infection. During digestion, part of the food remains on the intestinal walls, causing the body to become “slagged.” Cleansing is carried out using several methods.

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Attention, TODAY only!

Before surgery, childbirth, or when performing certain tests, bowel cleansing is necessary. That is why, if the operation is planned, the doctor will immediately tell you what diet to follow so that the intestines do not have to be cleansed. Doctors usually recommend certain medications if the intervention is urgent, but in order not to injure the intestines, it is better to carry out cleansing using natural methods.

Magnesia

A time-tested, effective laxative for cleansing the intestines is magnesium sulfate, or as it is also called, Epsom salt. This is a very simple method of cleansing, but to use it you need to be at home all day.

1. In the evening, drink a solution of magnesium: 60 grams per glass of water - a dose for people weighing about 70 kg.
2. A mild laxative effect will appear throughout the next day.

Magnesia cleanses all parts of the intestines. The only negative is the unpleasant bitter taste of the solution.

Contraindications and negative consequences

The absolute restrictions on the use of powder are:

• kidney disease;
• dehydration;
• serious heart pathologies;
• presence or tendency to intestinal obstruction;
• ulcers and erosions of the stomach;
• oncological neoplasms
  ;
• perforated ulcers;
• the child's age is less than 15 years;
• hypersensitivity to active components.

Medicine to cleanse the intestines before surgery can cause the following negative consequences after taking:

• nausea and gag reflexes arising from the unpleasant taste of the solution, which usually disappear with subsequent use;
• bloating, increased gas formation;
• heaviness in the stomach;
• the occurrence of diarrhea;
• allergic manifestations in the form of skin rash and swelling;
• in extremely rare cases, anaphylaxis may develop.

Digestive upset that occurs under the influence of active components goes away 24-48 hours after the end of cleansing and does not require therapy.

Indications and contraindications

It is not advisable for minors to use Fortrans.
"Fortrans" is prescribed to cleanse the intestines as an effective replacement for an enema. It is indicated on the eve of an endoscopic examination of the colon and for weight loss. As a means of losing weight, repeated use of the drug leads to a deterioration in overall health. Therefore, experts do not recommend using Fortrans for this purpose. The main reason for prescribing a laxative is the need to quickly empty the intestines.

The use of the product by patients under the age of 18 is prohibited. Against the background of general dehydration of the body, taking the drug is also not recommended, as the condition worsens. If you are allergic to the components of the composition, using Fortrans can cause itching and rash. Other contraindications include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal obstruction.

Side effects

Typical side effects of oral solutions:

• nausea and vomiting;
• pain and bloating in the abdomen;
• allergic reactions: itching, rashes, swelling;
• irritation and inflammation of the rectal area (due to frequent mechanical impact of toilet paper);
• headache;
• feeling of hunger and thirst;
• dehydration;
• chills.

Nausea and vomiting are considered normal during cleansing; these manifestations go away on their own. Sometimes juices without pulp help to improve your well-being. If the unwanted effects are too pronounced, you should seek medical help.

Castor oil

Castor oil is used to cleanse the small intestine. Before the procedure, abstain from food for 5–6 hours and 8 after it. You will need castor oil at the rate of 1 gram of oil per kg of weight and lemon. That is, for the average person, approximately 70 ml of castor oil. For best results, use lemon juice in an amount of 140 ml.

Instructions: drink the oil in one gulp and wash it down with lemon juice. If nausea occurs, you can eat a few raisins.

The effects begin in about 2 hours and may last all day, so stay home.