Activated charcoal in lactation is perhaps one of the most ancient medicines. Three thousand years ago, ancient Egyptian doctors had already used it to treat intestinal disorders and wounds. Hippocrates highly appreciated the absorbing properties of coal, and in Russia, since the time of Alexander Nevsky, birch charcoal was treated with poisoning. And today activated charcoal in the lactation period remains the most affordable and very effective tool to help cope with the disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Can activated charcoal be given to nursing mothers?
Activated charcoal for nursing belongs to the group of enterosorbents. This means that its main action is the absorption (adsorption) of harmful substances, toxins, allergens and their removal from the body. This ability is widely used for the treatment of the following diseases:
- poisoning (food, medicinal, narcotic, alcoholic, as well as poisoning with salts of heavy metals);
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract (flatulence, increased acidity of gastric juice);
- acute intestinal infections (dysentery, salmonellosis, enterovirus and rotavirus infections);
- acute and chronic liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis);
- allergic diseases (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, bronchial asthma);
- metabolic disorders, as well as to cleanse the body when losing weight.
Women who are breastfeeding, of course, are concerned with the question: is it possible for activated charcoal to be breastfeeding. Doctors do not prohibit the reception of activated carbon during lactation: the drug is not absorbed into the blood, acting only in the intestine. However, with peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding, activated charcoal to nursing mothers is contraindicated.
In addition, prolonged reception of activated charcoal during lactation can lead to hypovitaminosis, a decrease in immunity and other problems, since along with toxins it removes vitamins and microelements from the body, prevents the digestion of proteins and fats, prevents the development of normal microflora
How to take activated charcoal by nursing?
Doctors usually recommend taking activated charcoal to nursing mothers at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight. It is not necessary to drink such amount of coal at a time, it is better to divide the tablets into several receptions. Do not take more than 10 tablets per day, and the course of treatment should not exceed 14 days.
If the disease is severe or if activated charcoal does not have the proper effect when lactation, it is best to seek medical advice from the doctor or call an ambulance.