The main symptom of constipation is rare natural bowel movements, headache and general weakness. The main reasons include an unhealthy lifestyle, namely an unbalanced diet and a sedentary lifestyle, stress and nervous tension. When the first symptoms of constipation appear, it is recommended to consult a specialist who will make the correct diagnosis and choose an effective method of treating constipation. Next, we will take a closer look at what Vaseline oil is and its use for constipation.
What is Vaseline oil?
Liquid paraffin, which goes through several stages of purification and is used for medical purposes, is also called vaseline oil. In this case, the paraffin itself is obtained by splitting oil fractions that undergo preliminary purification. This natural product does not contain any harmful elements that can negatively affect the human body. Petroleum fractions are not absorbed into the blood and do not accumulate in internal organs, therefore petroleum jelly is useful and safe for the human body. In addition, Vaseline is known to have an effective effect on the intestinal walls. The oil forms a protective film against pathogenic bacteria. There is also a positive effect in the treatment of constipation in both adults and children.
Vaseline oil is recommended as an adjuvant in the treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Thanks to the formation of a protective layer on the intestinal walls, the free passage of feces occurs, and the development of stagnation, such as constipation, is avoided.
How to take Vaseline oil for constipation and dosage. It is recommended to take Vaseline oil for constipation, strictly following the instructions for use from the manufacturer and doctor. When treating stomach disease, the drug must be taken orally. Otherwise, you can wipe the skin with Vaseline to cure microcracks and wounds.
To get maximum effect, we adhere to the following recommendations:
- It is recommended to take Vaseline immediately after sleep and delay breakfast for two hours. You can, of course, after a meal, but two hours before and only in the evening.
- The course of treatment should not exceed five days. Otherwise, the body will not be able to receive beneficial vitamins and microelements in the optimal dose due to the presence of Vaseline film in the intestines.
- It is also worth consulting with specialists, because there may be certain contraindications that can lead to additional health problems.
Advantages of Vaseline “rescuer”
- The drug is neutral in composition. When it is introduced into the abdominal cavity, the intestinal microflora is not disturbed (which cannot be said about the use of soap for the same purposes).
- The product has an enveloping effect. This helps to avoid microtrauma of the rectum and anus during bowel movements after constipation, when the stool is still quite hard.
- The drug does not cause allergies, it can even be used to treat small children and allergy sufferers.
- When administered orally, the medicine is practically not absorbed by the walls of the stomach. Therefore, the patient will be able to avoid digestive system disorders.
The oil has such advantages due to its composition: it is obtained as a result of distillation of petroleum fractions and has a second name - liquid paraffin.
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Using oil for constipation
In adults
For constipation in adults, experts recommend taking no more than two tablespoons of melted paraffin or Vaseline per day. It all depends on the person's body weight and symptoms. For minor constipation, one spoon before meals on an empty stomach will be enough.
In children
Only after consultation with specialists is it recommended to take petroleum jelly for constipation in children in order to avoid health problems in the future. On average, no more than one teaspoon is prescribed before meals. Again, you need to take into account the age, weight and characteristics of the child’s body. Therefore, it is better to consult a specialist.
In newborns
Children are allowed to give no more than half a teaspoon of Vaseline. You should definitely consult your pediatrician to identify possible contraindications and side effects.
During pregnancy
To speed up the excretion of feces and avoid the development of constipation, Vaseline oil is recommended for all people except pregnant women. There is an opinion that petroleum jelly can lead to premature birth. Therefore, it is better for pregnant women to avoid experimenting with Vaseline oil. In this case, you can lubricate the cracks in the skin with oil.
How to do an enema: procedure
- It is necessary to sterilize the syringe by boiling (5 - 10 minutes). The volume of the syringe depends on the age of the patient. An adult needs 50 – 100 ml, a baby – a few drops.
- Prepare the substance for administration. It may be pure oil, or it may be a solution. To prepare the solution, stir 3 large tablespoons of vegetable oil in 100 ml of warm water. The temperature of the liquid should be about 38 degrees. It is this temperature that promotes maximum relaxation of the walls of the colon.
- Draw the prepared liquid into a syringe.
- Lie on your side and, slightly pressing the sides of the syringe (so that a drop of solution comes out), insert its tip into the anus approximately 5 cm. For children, 2 cm is enough.
- Squeeze out the contents and, without unclenching your fingers, remove the tip.
- Lie quietly for 10 – 15 minutes.
- The urge to defecate will begin within 8 to 10 hours.
Stages of an enema with Vaseline oil
If you have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, you can prepare enemas at home. Vaseline oil for constipation in the amount of 60 grams should be dissolved in one liter of water. In this case, the water temperature should correspond to body temperature. The liquid can be immediately used for an enema, and after a few minutes an increased rate of stool is observed.
In addition, you can only use pure petroleum jelly in an amount of 120 ml. Be sure to warm it up to body temperature and use it for an enema.
It is not recommended to do enemas for hemorrhoids and other serious diseases of the digestive tract.
Preventing constipation
After the cat’s digestion has normalized, it is important to carry out preventive measures to prevent recurrent constipation. The following measures can help prevent problems with bowel movements:
- Regular brushing of the cat, especially during the molting period.
- Periodic use of hair removal products (tablets and pastes contain lecithin and plant extracts).
- Balanced diet. Meat must be combined with foods containing fiber.
- Proper drinking regime for a cat.
- Normal weight of the animal (it is important not to let it overeat).
- Prevention of dysbiosis (for example, after treatment with antibiotics, take a course of probiotics).
Many diseases that cause constipation are asymptomatic in the first stages. Regular examinations by veterinarians and tests will help detect pathologies in a timely manner.
Constipation is a disorder of intestinal function. They bring not only unpleasant sensations, but can also cause serious pathologies. The most common consequence is hemorrhoids, or rather the formation of hemorrhoids, followed by their inflammation and bleeding. Therefore, it is necessary to treat pathology without leaving everything to chance.
Vaseline oil successfully combats this problem, is completely safe and inexpensive.
It is best to prevent stool from stagnating in the intestines by taking simple preventive measures every day:
- drink enough liquid, preferably plain clean water;
- engage in light sports and fitness;
- When working sedentarily, allocate time for walking and cycling;
- eat foods rich in fiber - vegetables, bran bread, buckwheat, oatmeal, greens, sweet fruits;
- introduce fermented milk foods into the diet, preferably natural, not store-bought;
- give up processed foods and fast food;
- get rid of bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
- promptly treat inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract;
- do not abuse laxatives, especially chemicals;
- Avoid stressful situations, nervous strain, and heavy physical activity.
Preventive measures are much easier to implement, especially when they become a habit and are intertwined with the way of life. But treating the disease is much more difficult, and sometimes even more unpleasant.
Properties of Vaseline Oil
This product is environmentally friendly and safe for the human body, so it can be safely used before meals. Vaseline contains only useful and safe substances that benefit the body when used correctly.
The main advantage of Vaseline oil is that it is not absorbed into the blood, but simply remains on the intestinal walls, forming a protective film. This allows you to protect the intestines from pathogenic bacteria, dangerous substances and speed up the excretion of feces from the body. That is why Vaseline oil is characterized by a high level of effectiveness for constipation. However, this method should not be used during pregnancy to avoid premature birth.
A few hours after taking petroleum jelly, the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract improves, severe symptoms disappear, and overall well-being improves.
The main advantages of using Vaseline oil include:
- Creation of a protective film on the intestinal walls.
- Acceleration of excretion of feces from the body, which leads to the elimination of constipation.
- Elimination of symptoms such as flatulence and bloating, diarrhea and constipation.
Why does constipation occur in cats and why is it dangerous?
Constipation is a disorder in the rhythm of bowel movements, accompanied by difficulty in passing stool, pain and a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. According to veterinarians, adult cats should go to the toilet at least once a day. A more rare bowel movement is also acceptable - once every two days (but this is no longer considered a good bowel movement, so it is recommended to prevent constipation). For kittens, the regularity of bowel movements should be 3–6 times a day (until the baby is completely switched to “adult” food).
Causes of defecation retention in cats:
- Poor nutrition. Constipation will occur if the cat constantly eats foods with an excessive amount of protein in relation to carbohydrates, as well as a high content of calcium and phosphorus.
- Improper drinking regime. Constipation always occurs in cats that drink too little liquid (an adult cat needs to drink 20–40 ml of water per kilogram of weight daily; when consuming dry food, the norm increases to 50–70 ml).
- Dysbacteriosis. A deficiency of beneficial intestinal bacteria causes a slowdown in the conversion of bound bile salts, which leads to excessive hardness of the stool.
- Diseases of the rectum (hemorrhoids, anal fissures, tumors, etc.). When defecating, the cat experiences pain, the sphincter spasms, which causes constipation.
- Congenital anomalies of the digestive system. This may be pathological elongation of the sigmoid colon, excessive bending of the large intestine.
- Obesity and physical inactivity, accompanied by a slowdown in metabolism, hormonal imbalances, impaired blood supply to the intestines and weakening of its walls.
- Side effects of medications. For example, antacids, painkillers, antispasmodics, when used for a long time, can lead to intestinal dysfunction.
Acute constipation often appears in acute infectious diseases due to the toxic effects of pathogens, side effects of drugs, physical inactivity and a gentle diet in which the diet contains a small amount of dietary fiber
Signs of constipation in a cat are not only rare bowel movements. If the feces are too hard and difficult to pass out of the intestines, then the cat will sit in the tray for a long time and push hard; after emptying, the stomach will remain full and hard. It is worth paying attention to the appearance of stool. With constipation, it will be dry, compacted, and may contain drops of blood (due to the fact that the passage of feces injures the intestinal walls).
Ignoring the symptoms of constipation is dangerous. Chronic delay in defecation provokes secondary colitis, inflammation of the intestine, enteritis, and increases the risk of developing malignant diseases. Constipation can be complicated by pathologies of the biliary tract and hepatitis.
Contraindications
You should definitely consult a doctor, because petroleum jelly has its own contraindications, including:
- Serious diseases of the digestive system that were caused by pathogenic viruses.
- In addition, a person may experience allergic reactions to the plant components contained in petroleum jelly. Therefore, when the first symptoms of an allergy appear, it is recommended to stop using Vaseline.
- During pregnancy, it is also not recommended to experiment with your health.
Reviews
Valentina, 63 years old
When I started having problems with bowel movements, my primary care physician advised me to try Vaseline oil to get rid of constipation. I drank the product 1.5 tsp. three days in a row, the stool returned to normal. Before using it, I didn’t know how quickly it worked; for me the effect came within a few hours.
Evelina, 32 years old
I gave Vaseline oil to the child when he had difficulty defecating. The product began to act after five hours. I tried the oil myself once when I had constipation. I drank 2 small spoons of this product, there was no effect. The next day I did an enema based on it, and after a quarter of an hour it took effect.
Luda, 39 years old
After giving birth, I couldn’t go to the toilet normally and was tormented by constipation. Rectal suppositories didn't help, so I used Vaseline. After 3 days of taking it, the constipation went away and the stool returned to normal. By the way, I used the oil both internally and did enemas based on it. I liked the effect of enemas more.
Wanda, 26 years old
I request everyone who uses Vaseline oil for constipation to strictly follow the recommended dosage. Once I exceeded it, after which I suffered from severe pain in the lower abdomen. I am satisfied with the product, it has saved me from constipation more than once. I use it extremely rarely so that my body does not have time to get used to it.
Side effects
With prolonged use, the negative aspects of the medicine are revealed:
- oil interferes with the absorption of vitamins and nutrients;
- addiction may occur;
- intestinal motor function decreases.
If you regularly resort to this method of dealing with constipation, drinking more than the instructions recommend, then the natural ability of the intestines to defecate is disrupted. Due to its liquid form, the product may leak out involuntarily, staining your underwear. This is a feature of the product that needs to be taken into account.