How to take Vaseline oil for constipation in adults

Description of the drug

The successful use of petroleum jelly for constipation is ensured by its chemical composition. The drug is a purified fraction of oil, which is obtained during the production of kerosene. At its core, petroleum jelly is liquid paraffin. It does not contain a single organic substance hazardous to health. This is why it is allowed to use Vaseline oil for constipation in infants. It also shows itself well in cosmetology.

It is important to note that only medical Vaseline oil can be used for medicinal purposes. It is an oily liquid, colorless and almost odorless. You only need to purchase it at a pharmacy. Industrial petroleum jelly is sold in stores. It has a yellowish color and is used for technical purposes.

Adverse reactions and opinions

Patient reviews of the drug in question are mostly positive. Few people mention the development of side effects. They mainly appeared in those who used the product for a long time, uncontrollably, acting against established rules.

The following complaints are possible:

• discomfort, bloating or cramping in the abdomen;
• flatulence, flatulence (loud passing of gases);
• difficulty or absence of normal independent bowel movements due to intestinal atony;
• nausea;
• increased irritability;
• the appearance of signs of hypovitaminosis of fat-soluble vitamins A, E, K (dry skin, brittle hair, stuck corners of the mouth, stomatitis, blurred vision, bleeding gums and others);
• tenesmus (false urge to defecate);
• frequent loose stools;
• irritation of the skin around the anus;
• decreased immunity due to the destruction of beneficial intestinal microflora (tendency to frequent infections).

The development of such adverse reactions requires discontinuation of the drug and treatment with probiotics, enzymes, sorbents and other drugs prescribed by a doctor.

Liquid paraffin has found wide application in medicine due to its properties. It is non-toxic, not absorbed into the blood, so it can be used by nursing mothers, children and the elderly. Despite the harmlessness of the product, you need to know how to use Vaseline oil for constipation correctly. With constant or long-term treatment, undesirable consequences and complications are possible. The course should not exceed more than 5 days at the recommended dosage. Liquid paraffin should not be used to prevent constipation or lose weight.

Release form

You can purchase the drug at any pharmacy. It is available in glass bottles. Most often their volume is 100 ml. But you can buy bottles of 25, 30, 40 or 50 ml. You do not need a recipe to purchase Vaseline oil. As a rule, bottles are not packaged in cardboard boxes. Instructions for the drug are most often not included. All necessary information is contained on the label. Your doctor should explain how to use the product. It is prohibited to treat constipation with liquid paraffin on your own initiative. This may lead to a worsening of the patient's condition.

Pharmacological properties

According to numerous reviews, Vaseline oil is an excellent remedy for constipation. Liquid paraffin is not absorbed into the blood and does not interact with gastric juice. Once in the intestines, the product envelops its walls. This greatly facilitates the movement of accumulated feces. In addition, petroleum jelly helps soften them. There is evidence that liquid paraffin normalizes intestinal motility. This is very important, because after a course of treatment with this drug, patients forget about their delicate problem for a long time.

During the process of defecation, people suffering from constipation often develop painful cracks in the anus. This is not only very unpleasant, but also dangerous, as infection can get into the wounds. Using Vaseline oil for constipation helps avoid pain during bowel movements. In addition, the bactericidal properties of the drug promote the healing of cracks.

Advantages of the product

Liquid paraffin is the second name for vaseline oil. This product is sold in any pharmacy without a prescription. Today it is actively used in the fight against constipation. The oil has a number of positive features:

• Has no toxic, carcinogenic or mutagenic effects.
• Does not penetrate the bloodstream.
• Envelops the intestinal mucous membranes, prevents the development of deformities, and prevents the penetration of toxic substances through the intestinal walls.
• Positively affects peristalsis.
• Softens feces, promotes the process of defecation.

Vaseline oil
In addition, the use of the product prevents the development of intestinal obstruction and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Important! It is recommended to obtain permission from your attending physician before use.

How to drink Vaseline oil for constipation

The drug should be taken orally 2 hours after a meal. Some doctors recommend drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach. The laxative effect is expected after 6 hours. However, in some patients it occurs within a day. It is not forbidden to drink Vaseline oil during the day, 2-3 hours before meals. However, it is not recommended to take the drug before or after dinner, since attempts to perform an act of defecation may occur in the middle of the night.

Optimal doses:

• children under 2 years old – half a teaspoon;
• preschoolers from 2 to 7 years old – 1 tsp;
• children from 7 to 13 years old – 1.5 tsp;
• adolescents aged 14 years and older – 2 tsp. or 1 dining room;
• adults – 1-2 tbsp. l.

Take the drug 1 or 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.

Application

Vaseline oil for constipation can only be taken orally by adults, including older people. For chronic constipation, liquid paraffin is drunk on an empty stomach (2 hours before meals) or 2 hours after a meal. The course of therapy lasts five days. Shake the drug before use. Take it 2 tsp. 1-2 times throughout the day. If necessary, you can increase the dose to 2 tablespoons.

Another option for using oil is an enema at night using a pear. To prepare the solution, you need to mix 2-3 tbsp. l. products with 100 ml of warm water (37–38°C). A warm enema is often given to an adult - it has a relaxing effect on the intestinal walls, eliminates smooth muscle spasms, softens stool, greatly facilitating the process of defecation. The procedure does not have an immediate effect: the result of its action can be seen after 8–12 hours.

Vaseline oil for constipation in children is recommended to be used as an enema (including for newborns). Before preparing the solution, you should consult a doctor, who will indicate a clear dosage depending on the age and weight of the baby. In order not to injure the child, to prevent cracks and irritation, before giving an enema, you need to lubricate the anus with liquid paraffin. The same can be done to facilitate the emptying process. Vaseline oil should not be given orally to children: the instructions for use clearly indicate children's age among the contraindications.

It is contraindicated for pregnant women, as it can provoke tone (contraction) of the uterus, causing miscarriage or premature birth. The product can be used during lactation, but only after consultation with the doctor, strictly following the instructions given to him. This is especially important if problems with stool arose immediately after childbirth.

Contraindications

We looked at how to take Vaseline oil for constipation. This treatment method is effective and very simple, but it is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, before using it, you should definitely consult a doctor. A specialist should find out the cause of constipation. In some cases, completely different treatment is required. Vaseline oil should not be taken orally for the following conditions and diseases:

• pregnancy;
• intestinal obstruction;
• hypersensitivity to liquid paraffin;
• febrile syndrome;
• inflammatory processes in the peritoneum.

Rules for using Vaseline oil

Liquid paraffin is used as an external agent in creams, ointments and even injectable preparations.

When treating constipation, it is indicated for use in two effective ways:

• for oral administration;
• for performing a rectal enema.

Most often, the laxative function is achieved through internal use in certain dosages. If this form is not possible, a cleansing procedure by enema with vaseline oil is allowed. The optimal and effective method is selected by the attending physician according to the diagnosis. In some cases, it is necessary to treat the cause of constipation, and not just eliminate the symptom.

Vaseline oil for constipation is used internally or as an enema.

Vaseline, as already mentioned, is a safe laxative. It helps empty the intestines without causing any harm to the body as a whole.

But there are certain rules for taking Vaseline oil for constipation:

• in short courses of no more than 5 days, the recommended option is a one-time procedure for bowel movement;
• the dosage is calculated according to the age and condition of the patient;
• Long-term use of oil is not allowed in order to avoid addiction and, as a result, a decrease in the tone of the intestinal walls and chronic constipation;
• not used constantly, the protective oily layer prevents the penetration of beneficial substances, leading to vitamin deficiency and dysbacteriosis;
• the laxative effect does not occur immediately, approximately 4-5 hours after administration;
• the absence of the desired result requires immediate discontinuation of the drug and consultation with a doctor;
• oil may leak out involuntarily, staining underwear - you should use pads during treatment;
• approved for use in children, the elderly and nursing women, but only after consultation with a doctor.

Correct use of petroleum jelly as first aid for constipation will help get rid of the unpleasant problem without negative consequences for the body. But Vaseline oil cannot cure intestinal pathology; special drug therapy will be required.

This oil perfectly softens the contents of the intestines, improving its motility and significantly facilitating the process of bowel movements.

Benefits of an enema

For constipation, Vaseline oil is recommended to be used not only orally. Many doctors prescribe enemas with this drug. This treatment method is used if the patient is unable to have a bowel movement for several days in a row. In this case, stool hardens and accumulates in the rectum. Taking the oil internally may not produce results.

It is also important to know that if such a problem occurs, it is forbidden to take laxatives that activate intestinal motility. Often after this, people begin to feel the urge to defecate, but cannot complete it. Hardened feces that remain in the intestines for a long time literally stick to its walls. This happens because the secretion of mucous glands decreases. In addition, if feces are not softened, they can injure the intestinal mucous membranes during the process of excretion.

With the help of an enema, the product immediately gets directly into the place where feces accumulate. This allows oil to seep between the hardened feces and the intestinal wall, acting as a lubricant. At the same time, the drug softens stool and enhances peristalsis. As a rule, the effect occurs within 12 hours, and in many patients the result appears much earlier. In this case, the intestines are completely emptied. The only drawback of the procedure is that it causes discomfort. You shouldn't get carried away with enemas. If they are done regularly, intestinal motility will be impaired. Then the person will no longer be able to empty it on his own.

Vaseline oil for constipation - reviews

Many years of use of petroleum jelly in medical practice have shown excellent results along with complete safety. This remedy is very effective and very affordable, as evidenced by the grateful reviews of those who have used or are using it.

Lana, 39 years old: “Due to sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle, I am increasingly worried about problems with stool, namely constipation. This is quite an unpleasant and painful thing, because it provokes exacerbations of hemorrhoids. Regular laxative food does not always help. The pharmacy advised me to take Vaseline oil and drink it at night. Lo and behold, in the morning the stool was natural and light. I will continue to use it as needed."

Alexander, 58 years old: “I have been suffering from constipation for a long time. I try to eat right, drink all sorts of herbs, but it doesn’t always help. Apparently, chronic gastritis is making itself felt. My wife found out about Vaseline oil somewhere and bought it at the pharmacy. Helps without fail even after several days of constipation. And most importantly, it is a very cheap product, sold without a prescription. I recommend!".

Irina, 27 years old: “After giving birth, problems with stool began. Mom advised me to try an old remedy - Vaseline, or rather oil. I was wary of this, but decided to try it, especially since the doctor allowed it. It didn’t help right away, I had to wait a few hours, but then everything worked out. Now I have it in my medicine cabinet, I use it in emergencies for my baby – it also helps.”

Pain and bloating, flatulence, a feeling of a plug in the rectum and incomplete emptying after defecation, increased dryness of stool - constipation brings a lot of inconvenience and a great desire to get rid of this condition. Vaseline oil can solve the problem. After oral administration, the product softens stool and promotes its movement through the intestines.

How to do an enema

Using Vaseline oil for constipation as an enema is very effective. This procedure is somewhat unpleasant, but adults tolerate it easily. You need to take no more than 2-3 tbsp. spoons of oil, heat it in a water bath (in winter you can use a radiator) to a temperature of 38 °C and stir with warm water. The total enema volume for adults should not exceed 200 ml. The minimum dose is 50 ml.

The trestle bed is covered with oilcloth. The patient should lie on his side, bend his knees and press them to his stomach. The assistant must lubricate the tip of the enema with a thick cream (you can use Vaseline), insert it into the patient’s anus and squeeze out the contents of the rubber bulb.

It is recommended to carry out the procedure at night so that the person can remain in a supine position for several hours.

Composition and properties of the drug

Vaseline oil is a petroleum distillation product that is collected at temperatures above 300 °C after the kerosene has been distilled. It is also called liquid paraffin. According to its chemical structure, it is a mixture of fatty hydrocarbons with a chain length of 10 to 16 carbon atoms. Vaseline oil is widely used in cosmetology and medicine. A product intended for medical purposes is carefully purified from all impurities that pose a danger to human health.

The mechanism of laxative action of Vaseline oil for constipation is as follows:

• softening of feces;
• facilitating the movement of feces through the intestines due to lubrication of the intestinal walls;
• a decrease in the degree of water absorption in the intestine, which contributes to the formation of stool of a softer consistency;
• stimulation of intestinal motility.

All these processes contribute to faster bowel movements and relief of the human condition. Liquid paraffin is effective for constipation of both atonic and static nature. If constipation is caused by intestinal obstruction, the use of this remedy will be ineffective, since surgical treatment is required in most cases to solve this problem.

Important: Liquid paraffin does not undergo any changes when passing through the gastrointestinal tract and is completely excreted in its original form along with feces. It is not absorbed into the systemic circulation and does not accumulate in the body.

Treatment of constipation in young children

Vaseline oil is a drug that contains only natural substances. Therefore, pediatricians recommend having it in the house where there is a baby. You can use the product externally without fear. It is used to lubricate not only the folds of the baby, but also the face if you and your child are forced to go outside in unfavorable weather conditions. Using oil, clean the baby's nose, providing him with free breathing.

In infants, gas often accumulates in the tummy. The child begins to scream, refuses to eat, and kicks his legs. A gas tube that must be carefully inserted into the baby's anus can help. Its tip should be lubricated with Vaseline oil.

If your child has stool retention, he needs to be shown to a doctor. Only a doctor should prescribe treatment. If there are no contraindications, your baby can be given an enema with Vaseline oil. A child under 2 months of age is allowed to administer up to 30 ml of liquid. Take no more than 1 teaspoon of Vaseline oil. During the procedure, you need to take into account that the drug may leak out and stain the diapers.

Vaseline oil can also be used orally for newborns for constipation. Indications and contraindications are the same as for adults. The only difference is in the dosage. It is allowed to give the baby half a teaspoon to drink between feedings, twice a day.

General rules of use

Before using petroleum jelly, you should consult a veterinarian - the doctor will examine the animal, conduct the necessary tests and determine whether there are any strict contraindications for treatment with this remedy. For example, the drug is prohibited in cases where constipation is caused by blockage of the intestines with solid objects or a very large tumor.

• intestinal ulcer,
• intestinal bleeding of unknown etiology,
• complicated by late stages of hemorrhoids.

The laxative is not recommended for course use for rickets and osteoporosis caused by hypovitaminosis of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D and E). Vaseline oil will prevent the medications you take from being absorbed and will cause even greater complications of these diseases.

Vaseline oil should not be given to pregnant cats to avoid causing premature birth.

A pediatrician will tell you how to drink Vaseline oil for children; for adults, the optimal dose is 15 to 30 ml. The first time you need to start with a lower dosage; if necessary, you can increase it, but do not exceed the maximum.

Elderly people over 65 years of age are not recommended to drink more than 10-15 ml at a time. Considering how long Vaseline oil works, it is better to drink it in the morning so that you have bowel movements during the daytime or during the day to empty your bowels before going to bed. Shake the bottle well before use.

It is advisable to take it 2 hours after meals (you can take it the same amount before meals). In older people, the effect may be delayed.

If you have constipation, you should not drink Vaseline oil for more than 3-5 days in a row. Long-term use is fraught with the development of addiction and a decrease in the tone of the intestinal wall. It is undesirable to constantly use oil, since it envelops the intestinal mucosa and interferes with the functioning of the villous epithelium, which affects the absorption of nutrients, including fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

special instructions

Liquid paraffin can be mixed with water (for example, for enemas). It can be used together with other oils and fats. However, it is strictly forbidden to take it simultaneously with castor oil to obtain a greater effect in the treatment of constipation. Vaseline oil and castor oil are two completely incompatible drugs.

You cannot take liquid paraffin orally at the same time as the medications Vermox, Avermol, Natamol and Medamin.

If the body is intoxicated with organophosphorus compounds and phosphorus, oral administration of petroleum jelly is also prohibited.

Operating principle

Vaseline oil for constipation has the following effects:

1. The product creates a film on the intestinal walls, which promotes the excretion of feces. This completely protects them from injury.
2. Softening of the stool occurs, which easily passes through the rectum and prevents damage to the anus.
3. Heals cracks and wounds on the intestinal walls.
4. The product has an irritating effect on the walls of the organ, thereby stimulating its natural motility.

The safety of petroleum jelly is confirmed by its widespread use in medicine and cosmetology. It is included in creams, lotions and lipsticks. In pediatrics, the drug is used in the treatment of diaper rash in infants.

Analogs

There are no drugs that have exactly the same properties as Vaseline oil. But there are a lot of medications to get rid of constipation. Enemas can be done with sunflower or flaxseed oil. Glycelax suppositories, glycerin suppositories (suitable for treating children), and Microlax microenemas are also recommended.

There are several dozen laxatives recommended for oral administration. Most popular:

• Duphalac (can be used for children).
• "Forlax" (the drug is allowed to be given to babies from 6 months).
• "Pikolaks."
• "Lactuvit."
• "Pikosen."
• "Normolakt".
• Castor oil.

Finally, here are reviews on the use of petroleum jelly for constipation.

Main analogues of the drug

The presence of an irritating and osmotic effect from the use of petrolatum oil allows, in the presence of allergic reactions, to select an effective substitute from the following drugs:

• rectal suppositories with glycerin;
• Duphalac syrup;
• Microlax enemas;
• Forlax powder.

Suppositories with glycerin help ease bowel movements due to their irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa and stimulation of peristalsis. The drug is administered into the rectum in the morning half an hour after eating. The dosage is selected individually at a doctor's appointment.

Duphalac syrup belongs to the group of osmotic laxatives. The breakdown of lactulose, which is part of the drug, by intestinal bacteria causes an increased release of carbon dioxide, which irritates intestinal receptors and stimulates natural motility.

Microlax enemas are a combination drug containing sodium citrate, sorbitol and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate. Each component, having a specific mechanism of action, helps to empty the intestines. The effect of Microlax occurs within 15 minutes from the moment of its administration.

The active ingredient of Forlax is macrogol, which has a laxative effect, realized by reducing the absorption of water and reducing the density of feces. Long-term use of the drug is allowed after selecting the correct dosage.

What people say

This drug is deservedly popular. Parents of infants admire its versatility. They use Vaseline oil for their children both externally and internally. With its help, they relieve skin irritation in babies, clean their noses, and cleanse the scalp of crusts.

Vaseline oil is often used to relieve constipation in children. Taking the drug orally does not cause any complications. This is due to the very small dose and the absence of a bitter taste in the oil. When babies are given an enema, liquid paraffin can stain the diaper, but for many parents this is not critical. The main thing is that the drug helps.

Adults also quite often take Vaseline oil for constipation. In the reviews, they note that the drug has virtually no odor, but it still has a specific taste. However, they quickly get used to it. In addition, Vaseline oil can be washed down with water. Therefore, taking it orally does not cause problems. However, it must be remembered that liquid paraffin is not adsorbed into the bloodstream and is completely eliminated through the anus. As a result, your underwear may become dirty. Patients in the reviews note that this minor inconvenience can be overcome. Vaseline oil has many more advantages.