Is It Safe to Use Activated Charcoal for Diarrhea?

Updated on November 25th, 2019

The activated charcoal is well absorbed by the body and helps in removing the toxins through the feces. Now, you may wonder why activated charcoal uses the term ‘activated’. Actually, the activation process in case of the activated charcoal enhances and increases the size of the pores, as a result, the surface area of activated charcoal increases and thus it works on a larger area of the body and acts on the affected molecules and atoms.

Activated Charcoal’s effectiveness in the field of diarrhea treatment needs an extensive discussion. However, let us initially have an overall discussion of its several other uses and utilities.

Did You Know?

  1. Activated charcoal(1) for diarrhea is suggested to be the best treatment to remove toxins from the body.
  2. Activated charcoal also heals intestinal and gastritis problems.
  3. The charcoal pores in activated charcoal absorb the microbes and bacteria that result in skin diseases, wounds, and eventually soothes the skin from similar irritations.

Activated Charcoal for Diarrhea

activated charcoal benefits
Image:ShutterStock

As you are aware, Diarrhea is a form of the poisoning of the digestive system and stomach. It occurs due to the intake of poisoned food and water. Recent study on activated charcoals in the year 2017 suggests that the texture and surface area of the charcoal absorbs the poisonous germs and free the body from the adverse effects of diarrhea.

1. In Palliative Care:

For patients with palliative care and who are suffering from cancer, abdominal problems are common symptoms. Moreover, this adverse pain is severe and uncontrollable. They at times fail to bear it. Diarrhea and dysentery are an addition to the patient’s frustrating symptoms. However, to purge out the pain, activated charcoal treatments sound a blessing.

Activated charcoals serve the purpose well. They at their best in concealing the painful outcome of diarrhea(2). They can be consumed in a powdered form along with some applesauce.

The pores, as one is aware of, absorb the harmful bacteria and release the patient of such frequent diseases. Though palliative care needs a much bigger level of psychic support and treatment, yet medications are important.

Activated charcoal, also cuts down the gastrointestinal problems in the patient. Therefore, immediate attention to this disease is important and is accelerated by the dosage of activated charcoal.

[Also Read: Natural Treatments for Diarrhea]

2. Activated Charcoal in Drugs:

charcoal
Image:ShutterStock

Various types of drugs are manufactured out of activated charcoals. The use of other components along with activated charcoal increases the value of such drugs. Otherwise, it has some adverse effects and negative interactions with several other drugs. Some homeopathic drugs are most reactant to charcoals since they contain alcohol.

So, doctors at times opine that according to medical science, alcoholic people cannot undergo charcoal treatment since it wouldn’t work on them, on the contrary, it could deteriorate their health. Some drugs that interact with activated charcoal for diarrhea treatment are ipecac, cancer drugs, electrolytes, anecdote, etc. among many others.

Normal use of activated charcoal for diarrhea on other patients has mild side effects. However, patients with chronic fecal problems are suggested to avoid charcoal treatment, since this tightens the stool and puts pressure on the rectum.

Serious side effects are observed in patients suffering from breathing problems and bronchitis. Many are allergic to such drugs. Therefore, it is better to undergo a test and check-up before starting the drug.

[Also Read: Detox With Activated Charcoal]

Studies and surveys are a piece of evidence that activated charcoal treatment are huge in the medical world.  You can use activated charcoal for food poisoning, stomach flu, and diarrhea without giving any second thought.

Pregnant women though are opined to stay away from similar treatments.  It is best for any patient to carefully study the pros and cons of specific drug usage.

Activated charcoal is an addition to the list. Charcoals are manufactured to absorb the germs, not to kill them. It is difficult to decipher how much charcoal can absorb or what are its consequences. However, activated charcoal can effectively work in the treatment of diarrhea, provided you rely on your physicians for the dose and intake of such drugs.

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