Gastric lavage is a procedure that helps to cleanse the body of various toxins that enter the stomach together with food, alcohol, etc. Thanks to gastric lavage during poisoning, it is often possible to save a person's life and help to restore his health faster.
Indications and contraindications for gastric lavage
Gastric lavage is recommended in the following cases:
- poisoning with food, alcohol, medicines;
- poisoning with toxic substances, including acids and alkalis, which got through the esophagus;
- intestinal obstruction ;
- dyskinesia of the gallbladder;
- high level of acidity of gastric juice;
- the release of toxins into the lumen of the stomach (for example, the supply of urea in renal failure).
At the same time, there are a number of prohibitions for the gastric lavage procedure:
- bleeding in the digestive system;
- marked narrowing of the esophagus;
- violation of blood circulation and heart rate;
- convulsions;
- unconsciousness.
How is gastric lavage done?
Certainly, it is better, if the treatment procedure is carried out by a specialist, but very often situations arise when the victim urgently needs help or there is no possibility to deliver him to the hospital. If necessary, it is not difficult to arrange gastric lavage at home. Correctly performed procedure excludes the possibility of complications.
Gastric lavage without probe
The safest method is washing without a probe. It is necessary to prepare 1.5-2 liters of boiled warm water and a container for vomit. The patient should sit down and drink water immediately. After that, he should bring his legs together and, putting his left hand on the stomach zone, do not strongly press on it, bending over to his knees. Provoke a vomitive reflex can push the root of the tongue. Water comes out with the contents of the stomach.
Gastric lavage through a probe
The technique of washing the stomach with a thick probe is somewhat more complicated. The procedure requires a device consisting of a rubber tube about 1.5 m long, with a wide opening and a funnel. For washing, about 8 liters of warm water are required. The victim is put on a chair, covered with an oilcloth or sheet, a pelvis is placed at the feet. To the root of the tongue the end of the probe is brought in and with cautious progressive movements it is introduced into the esophagus. Strong forces are not permissible during the introduction of the device! After inserting the probe into the stomach, a funnel is poured onto its other end, into which water is poured. To prevent air ingress, the funnel is slightly tilted. At the initial stage, the funnel is located below the victim's mouth, and as the funnel is filled, the funnel is raised. When the water reaches the neck of the funnel, it is lowered and poured into the pelvis.
Important is the following:
- Do not allow the water to completely leave the funnel, as getting air into the stomach can make it difficult to remove the contents.
- After the procedure, the patient is washed and encouraged to rinse his mouth.
- All parts of the device are thoroughly washed and folded into a plastic bag.
Solutions used for gastric lavage
Most often, gastric lavage is done with potassium permanganate. A pale pink solution of the substance is recommended to be filtered beforehand to prevent a burn of the gastric mucosa. But the solution of potassium permanganate can not be used for acute digestive disorders. Also, when washing, a saline solution is used. To do this, in 8 liters of water, 3 tablespoons of salt are bred. When poisoning with acids, use a 2% solution of baking soda, and for alkali poisoning - a slightly acid solution of citric acid. The most effective and safe for the health of the injured is a solution with sorbents and enterosorbenes, for example, Enterogel.