What is sodium chloride

Surely almost every person has repeatedly heard of the existence of saline or sodium chloride, but, unfortunately, only a few people know that this drug must be in the first aid kit of each house, and especially if there are small children in the family. Why? This is what you need to understand.

Before you understand why every home should have this drug, you need to understand what it is, where it is used, what it is used for and in what dosage, what contraindications are there, and more. other

So, saline is the most common solution of sodium chloride NaCl, that is, saline and sodium chloride are one and the same, no need to doubt it. By the way, many people cannot even think that it has much in common with salt (NaCl), but, as you can see from the chemical formula, this is exactly so.

It is worth noting that the saline solution on the production is made simply on a colossal scale, primarily due to the simplicity of its creation and long shelf life. It is known that in the process of production of this drug in a certain volume of distilled water gradually, salts are introduced in stages. Staging is necessary in order that all components, salts are completely dissolved. Yes, in the preparation of the solution is very important that there was no sediment. This is achieved by the fact that carbon dioxide is passed through sodium bicarbonate. Glucose is added to the latest. Technology stages in any case can not be violated.

According to the specialists, the capacity of the physicians in which the saline solution is prepared is also of great importance because the composition of the drug is rather complicated. In the production of the mixture is made only in glassware, metal containers are unacceptable for this.

The composition of the saline, as you probably already understood, includes distilled water and purified salt, while other substances are also present, but their concentration is very small, only 0.9 percent.

The use of saline

Having dealt with what it is - sodium chloride, you need to say that

Today, like ten years ago, saline is quite actively used in medical practice. Depending on the concentration, it can be isotonic hypertonic.

For modern medicine, saline is simply vital, because without it, not one dropper can do. In this case, it serves as the basis for the drug, it is used to dilute dry medicines. In addition, sodium-based injections are given injections — this is very important if a certain (appropriate) concentration is needed. By the way, injections with saline solution are less painful, the solution softens the injection.

As we have said, almost all droppers in medical institutions are made with the use of saline, diluting them with medications, both liquid and powdered. As a rule, in order to achieve the desired concentration of the drug, 0.9% saline is used, because it does not need to be diluted beforehand, it is already in the required concentration. At the same time, it is very important that the saline solution be sterile, it depends on the health and life of the patient.

If we talk about droppers of saline without adding a drug, they are also placed in hospitals, often with dehydration of the body, to thin the blood and to eliminate swelling.

Due to the fact that the drug can be bought or ordered at any pharmacy, it can be used at home without a doctor's prescription. The spectrum is quite large. Very often, with saline solution, the nose is washed in case of a cold or dry mucous membrane. In composition, it is completely indistinguishable from some expensive nasal sprays. Therefore, if there is a desire to save - replace them with saline. Washing the nose with sodium chloride is the usual effective cleaning of the nasal passages and mucous membranes. By the way, for these purposes it is better to use an isotonic solution, it has a lower concentration.

In order to wash the nose with this solution, you just need to tilt your head forward and draw the liquid in with the nose, then clean the cavity well. It is desirable first one nostril, and then the other.

Saline can also be used for newborn babies who have problems with nasal congestion. Young children do not want the use of drugs, it is better to wash the nostrils with saline, and then there will definitely be no problems. With a cold, the baby needs to drip 2-3 times a day into the nose with 2-3 drops of saline.

In addition, saline is very often used for inhalation, but in this case one solution will not be enough, you will need a special device - a nebulizer, into which the drug and saline will be injected. With this device, a person will inhale the medicine, and sodium chloride will help moisten the surface of the mucous membrane.

In this case, according to experts, the type of saline does not matter, you can use both isotonic and hypertonic. You can also take a non-sterile solution, which can also be purchased at the pharmacy.

It is worth noting that inhalations with the use of saline are extremely effective, especially when it comes to small children. Such procedures are well done for the prevention of influenza and ARVI in the autumn-winter period, the effectiveness of therapy is very high.

In addition, saline is used for washing the intestines with constipation or administration. To do this, the drug sodium chloride is collected in the enema and is administered rectally. In this case, it is advisable to warm the saline slightly so that it is warm and does not irritate the intestinal walls. You can use a non-sterile solution, but if we are talking about washing the stomach, then it is better to use only sterile. It needs to be drunk in small sips so that there are no spasms. And then induce vomiting.

You also need to say that the saline solution is used externally, as a rule, for washing wounds, moistening gauze dressings, rubdowns.

Contraindications and side effects

Despite the fact that saline contains only water and salt, it can have a negative effect on a person’s well-being and health. Its use is unacceptable:

• with an increased level of sodium in the body,
• with hypokalemia,
• with extracellular overhydration,
• with acute left ventricular failure,
• in disorders of blood circulation,
• with renal failure

The attending physician must be aware of such ailments, because, otherwise, the consequences of a banal drip can be fatal.

Sodium chloride (saline)most often well tolerated by patients without contraindications. But it should not be forgotten that long-term use of the drug can have a negative impact. The instructions for use indicate that, in particular, we are talking about the development of hypokalemia, overhydration and acidosis.

Saline is a versatile drug that is most often used as an auxiliary substance in medicine. It is produced by pharmaceutical companies and sold in ampoules (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 250 ml), in glass bottles with rubber caps of 200 and 400 ml, as well as in special plastic bags. Please note that the shelf life of the saline from the date of production - 5 years, but only if the container is sealed.

Be sure to comply with the storage conditions of the drug. Also remember that sodium chloride, which seems to be a completely harmless remedy, can, if there are contraindications, cause serious complications. Before use, consult your doctor!