When is electrophoresis used in children:
Medicinal electrophoresis is widely used in pediatrics, as it allows one to avoid injections that frighten children, and allows one to reduce the concentrations and doses of drugs, reducing their side effects and preventing allergic reactions. The medicinal effect is “targeted”, because the drug is injected into the skin exactly in the affected area. At the same time, a so-called “depot” of the drug is created in the skin, which makes the effect more long-lasting. Electrophoresis is used in all medical fields, from surgery (for example, cleaning infected wounds with electrophoresis with enzymes), to cosmetology, dermatology and dentistry. In children, it is actively used in the treatment of neurological diseases, in the treatment of bone fractures, and in bronchopulmonary diseases.
FAQ
Can electrophoresis be used for children?
Galvanization is often used in pediatrics. There is no need to be afraid of this procedure. It does no harm, is non-invasive, absolutely painless. But only a doctor should select the necessary medications, frequency and amplitude of the current.
Is it possible to combine electrophoresis with other procedures - acupuncture, massage, paraffin baths?
Electrophoresis is compatible with many other procedures, such as acupuncture, various therapeutic and cosmetic massages, and paraffin baths. But a complex treatment regimen is developed by a doctor, since between some manipulations it is necessary to take a break from several hours to several days.
Literature:
- ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases).
- L. O. Neuropathology. - M.: Education, 1982. - P.307-308. Bogolyubov.
- Medical rehabilitation (manual, 3 volumes). // Moscow - Perm. - 1998. Popov S. N.
- Physical rehabilitation. 2005. - P.608.
- State Register of Medicines (GRLS) of the Russian Federation.
Themes
Intervertebral hernia, Spine, Pain, Treatment without surgery Date of publication: 12/23/2020 Date of update: 01/11/2021
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A little physics: what is the mechanism of action of electrophoresis
The administration of medicinal substances is based on the properties of equally charged particles to repel, and oppositely charged particles to attract. During electrophoresis, a drug is placed under the active electrode, the active ions of which have the same charge as the electrode: negatively charged substances are placed under the cathode with a negative charge, and positively charged substances are placed under the anode with a positive charge. Ions of all metals and most alkaloids are introduced from the positive electrode, and acid radicals and metalloids are introduced from the cathode with a negative charge.
The injected ions enter the skin to a depth of 1 mm, mainly through pores, sweat glands and hair follicles. Further migration of the substance into deeper tissues is achieved through diffusion.
Medicinal substances are retained in the skin for up to 3 weeks, reducing the need for large doses of active substances. For local effects, 5–10% solutions of substances are used, and for segmental reflex effects, 1–2% solutions are used. All solutions of medicinal substances are prepared using distilled water to avoid the formation of unwanted active ions. The current strength is usually limited to 5 mA in children and up to 12 mA in adults.
An important advantage of administering drugs using electrophoresis is the activation of active substances due to dissociation into active ions. Drug electrophoresis allows you to create a high concentration of the active substance directly in those areas of tissue where treatment is necessary. At the same time, due to the targeted action and low concentrations, the overall effect of the drug is reduced, which makes it possible to prevent many side effects, including common allergic reactions.
Are there any contraindications
Despite the large number of advantages, there are certain contraindications to the use of electrophoresis, which must be taken into account before starting treatment. First of all, the most common contraindications include individual intolerance to individual components of the drugs used (most often allergic reactions occur to anesthetics). In such cases, you need to choose another drug that does not cause an allergic reaction.
Contraindications for the use of electrophoresis
Electrophoresis is not recommended if the patient has the following pathologies:
- radicular syndrome (pathological condition accompanied by damage to the roots of the spinal nerves);
- development of malignant formations (in case of cancer, exposure to galvanic current is not recommended);
- using an electrical device to maintain heart rhythm (this means a pacemaker);
Pacemaker - disruption of the cardiovascular system;
- complicated form of bronchial asthma;
- damage to the skin in the neck area, for example, scratches or pustules;
- increased body temperature;
- intolerance by the patient's body to electric current;
- development of infectious diseases.
Be sure to discuss everything with your doctor
Important! Many people mistakenly assume that electrophoresis is strictly prohibited during menstruation. But menstruation is a natural process that is not the result of any serious illness. Electrodes cannot be applied only to the area of the ovaries, but with cervical osteochondrosis, the affected area is in the neck area.
Ignoring all of the above contraindications can lead to serious consequences. As a result, electrophoresis may not only not help cope with the signs of cervical osteochondrosis, but also harm the patient’s body even more.
Duration of electrophoresis procedures
The amount of ions introduced into the body is determined by the strength of the current, the area of the active electrode and the duration of the procedure. In children, depending on age, it can reach 20 minutes. In pediatrics, it is always preferable to increase the procedure time instead of increasing the current intensity to avoid discomfort in children. In any case, a slight reddening of the skin will be noted under the electrodes - due to local expansion of microvessels from irritation by acidic and alkaline electrolysis products.
Iontophoresis
There is a more modern modification of electrophoresis - iontophoresis, in which special long-term wearing patches are used to administer the drug, connected to a very weak direct current source (battery). During iontophoresis treatment, the patch is worn for a certain period of time, depending on the medication being taken. Some patches can be worn for up to 24 hours. The child will not feel pain from the treatment. Only a slight tingling sensation is possible while wearing the patches.
Electrophoresis is used for the following diseases:
- Nervous diseases: perinatal pathology of the central nervous system, hypertension syndrome in children, muscular dystonia syndrome, neuritis, neuralgia, migraines, sleep disorders, enuresis in children
- ENT diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis
- In the treatment of ARI - pharyngitis, tracheitis, pneumonia
- Vision pathology – for the correction of myopia, astigmatism, farsightedness
- For kidney pathology: for the treatment of pyelonephritis, cystitis.
- Diseases of the digestive system: stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, gastritis, cholecystitis
- Pulmonary diseases: chronic and acute bronchitis, bronchial asthma, pneumonia
- Surgical diseases: recovery in the postoperative period, treatment of scars
- Dermatology: atopic dermatitis, acne scars, seborrhea, rosacea
What are the benefits of zinc? What is its role in the body?
This is one of the most important elements, which is part of more than 40 enzymes of the human body. Zinc is involved in the formation of immunity, maintaining hormone levels, and stabilizes growth. Zinc is found in blood, muscles, liver, bones, kidneys, and retina. It promotes long life and preservation of youth, eliminates fatigue, and functions as an antioxidant.
Today, even young people have reduced zinc levels in their bodies, according to experts. This negatively affects female reproductive function and the state of the endocrine system.
Girls with a lack of zinc are susceptible to insufficient production of sex hormones. They continue to grow when the weather has already stopped growing. They have very long limbs and look infantile in appearance. The menstrual cycle and the deposition of adipose tissue are disrupted.
In men, zinc controls prostate growth, prevents adenoma, and infertility. This element activates sperm and sex hormones in general.
It is important to increase zinc levels in older people, because otherwise hearing is lost, atherosclerosis progresses, and infections often occur. If zinc is normal, then the brain functions well - memory, attention, etc. are preserved.
Zinc activates vitamins E and A, that is, without it, skin regeneration, proper functioning of the sebaceous glands, and nail and hair growth are impossible. Zinc is involved in the fight against acne.
Human teeth need zinc. It provides prevention of infectious diseases of the oral cavity and gums.
When joints are saturated with zinc, pain goes away and resistance to physical activity increases.
How does the medicinal electrophoresis procedure work:
The medicinal electrophoresis procedure is performed in a physiotherapy office or, if necessary, in any medical office and even at home. It is important to carry out procedures on intact skin.
Electrodes with electrode pads soaked in water and a medicinal solution are placed on the surface of the skin. Dry electrodes must not be used. Electrodes with pads must fit tightly to the skin, otherwise uneven distribution of current can lead to skin irritation. Electrodes with medicine or drugs are applied to areas of the body that require therapeutic effects.
Before the procedure, the child is explained that he must immediately inform the doctor of any unpleasant sensations. A slight tingling or tingling sensation is considered normal during the electrophoresis procedure.
Then turn on the device and slowly increase the current. A typical electrophoresis procedure takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the age of the child. After the procedure, the physiotherapist turns off the device and removes the electrodes. Redness of the skin under the electrodes is considered a normal reaction to the procedure.
Device structure
The electrophoresis apparatus is an alternating current rectifier, semiconductor (now), electron tube (formerly). It operates from a standard network with a frequency of 50 Hz and a voltage of 220 V and is equipped with a milliammeter.
Electrophoresis devices operate primarily using galvanic current. It is continuous, low voltage, constant intensity. Always passing in one direction, the current is able to maintain polarity, strength, and voltage. The action is comparable to a blow of wind that does not change its strength. Thanks to this, the electrophoresis device is able to “deliver” drugs deep into the body, affecting the tissues and mucous membranes of the body. For direct current, even dense tissues can be considered permeable.
