A friend with diabetes told Hua Zi that he had been constipated recently, and the doctor prescribed lactulose. Because of the “sugar” in the name of the drug, he was concerned about the effect on blood sugar. He asked the doctor, and he didn’t understand some terms, but the doctor was too busy and he was embarrassed to ask more, so he came to consult Huazi.
Hua Zi said that lactulose is a commonly used drug for the treatment of chronic constipation. It can also reduce blood ammonia levels and is used to prevent and treat hepatic coma. Raises blood sugar and can be used by diabetics.
I. Lactulose that does not exist in nature
Lactulose is not the same as the sugars we are familiar with such as sucrose, maltose, fructose, glucose, etc. It is a synthetic disaccharide composed of galactose and fructose /strong>. Lactulose does not exist in nature, so organisms lack the enzymes that break down lactulose.
The same is true for humans. The human body cannot decompose lactulose, and the human body can only absorb monosaccharides, not disaccharides. This determines that after oral administration of lactulose, only It can remain in the intestine and cannot be absorbed into the blood, so taking lactulose will not raise blood sugar.
Lactulose can promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, which is decomposed by intestinal bacteria into lactic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen and methane, which increases the osmotic pressure in the intestine, produces water absorption, softens stool, stimulates Colon peristalsis, resulting in the effect of relieving constipation. Lactulose can also reduce the absorption of ammonia ions in the intestine, which can reduce blood ammonia levels.
2. Pay attention to the dosage
When lactulose is used to treat constipation, note that the usual amount of 30ml should be consumed once a day. Some patients are worried that the drug will have a bad effect on the body, and divide 30ml into 3 doses, which will affect the efficacy of the drug. After the symptoms of constipation are relieved, the maintenance dose is 10~25ml per day, which is also taken at one time, and should not be taken separately.
If it is to prevent hepatic coma, it is necessary to take lactulose in large doses, 30ml~50ml each time, 3 times a day.
The choice of taking time, it is recommended to take it with breakfast. Some patients may experience abdominal distention and abdominal pain when taking the drug on an empty stomach. Taking the drug after breakfast can reduce gastrointestinal reactions. It is not recommended to take lactulose before going to bed to avoid night defecation affecting sleep.
3. Precautions for taking lactulose
1. Maximum dose: When used to treat constipation, it is not recommended that the daily dose exceed 45ml. The effect of the drug, but prone to gastrointestinal reactions. Only for the prevention and treatment of hepatic coma, it needs to be used in large doses.
2. Long-term use is not recommended: Lactulose is an osmotic laxative, and the possibility of drug dependence is low in short-term use, but in long-term use, once the drug is stopped Medication may cause constipation symptoms to recur. Therefore, While taking lactulose, it is necessary to combine diet and exercise to relieve constipation, and gradually reduce the dose, and do not rely on drugs for a long time.
3. Adverse reactions: There may be abdominal distention and abdominal pain at the beginning of taking, which usually disappear after continuous treatment. The drug contains lactose and galactose, lactose intolerance, galactosemia and allergies are prohibited.
4. If the curative effect is not good, it needs to be discontinued: Usually, after taking lactulose, the curative effect will appear within 1~2 days, and the stool will be soft. If the symptoms of constipation are still not relieved after taking it for 3 days, you need to stop the drug and see a doctor. Digestive tract tumors, intestinal obstruction and other organic diseases need to be excluded, and the treatment should be changed under the guidance of a doctor.
Four, life intervention to improve constipation
The blood sugar of diabetic patients is elevated, which will absorb water from the intestines and cause dry stools. Excessive blood sugar may also cause peripheral neuropathy, affect the function of the enteric nerve, and be prone to constipation. Therefore, diabetic patients should not only control blood sugar and relieve constipation symptoms with medication, but also improve constipation through lifestyle intervention methods.
Drink enough water every day. People with normal heart and kidney function are recommended to drink more than 2000ml of water per day; choose more whole grains, vegetables, etc. Foods rich in dietary fiber; Keep exercising, taking a walk about 1 hour after meals can not only lower blood sugar, but also promote intestinal peristalsis; Develop the habit of regular bowel movements< /strong>, do not read books or play with mobile phones while defecation.
To sum up, people with diabetes can use lactulose to relieve symptoms of constipation without raising blood sugar. When taking medication, pay attention to taking the daily dose at one time, but do not overdose. . At the same time of medication, life intervention should be carried out to improve constipation. Long-term medication is not recommended to avoid dependence. The medicine should be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any doubts about the medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist. I am Huazi, a pharmacist. Welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.