Medicinal electrophoresis: indications and contraindications, methods, algorithm of carrying out, mechanism of action, advantages

Currently, various methods are used in the treatment of various diseases. If before medicine was based more on drug therapy, now physiotherapy procedures are often prescribed. They help to cope faster with the disease. It is necessary to know that physiotherapy includes many methods, with one of which we will get acquainted in more detail. Consider what is the drug electrophoresis, under what pathologies it is shown and whether it has contraindications.

The essence of the method of treatment

Electrophoresis refers to physiotherapy procedures. During the session, the patient's body is exposed to electrical impulses in order to obtain a persistent therapeutic effect.

Medicinal electrophoresis is also used to administer medications through the skin and mucous membranes. It can be said that this method is complex, since there is a simultaneous effect of current and drug. What kind of drug to choose for the procedure, what percentage and polarity of administration, is determined only by the attending physician taking into account the patient's condition and the severity of the disease.

The essence of electrophoresis is reduced to the fact that drugs enter the tissues in the form of charged particles through the intercellular spaces, the channels of the sweat and sebaceous glands. As a result of the effect of electric current, the effectiveness of the preparations increases substantially, as the sensitivity of tissues increases.

All medicines are introduced taking into account their polarity, if they are cations, they are introduced from the anode, and the anions - from the cathode. Distilled water is considered to be the best solvent, but alcohol or "Dimexide" is used for poorly soluble compounds.

Medicinal electrophoresis

The mechanism of action of this procedure is that the drug in the form of ions enters the patient's body through the pores and ducts of the sebaceous and sweat glands. Cations and anions linger on the skin under the electrode, and then gradually penetrate into the blood and lymph. Because of this gradual intake, the effect of the medicine on the body is long, which is one of the advantages of this method of therapy.

The drug electrophoresis is carried out with the help of different devices, one of which is Potok. This device has been used in medicine for a long time, it is time-tested and reliable. It is possible to regulate the current during the procedure , as well as to set the time. At present, modern analogues of the device are produced that have digital indicators.

To obtain a therapeutic effect, it is not necessary to place electrodes on a diseased organ or to inject large doses of drugs. By means of physiotherapy, ions of calcium, magnesium, iodine are introduced to increase the reflex action on the affected tissue.

Methods of electrophoresis

To increase the effectiveness of this procedure, the methods of electrophoresis of the drug are constantly being developed and improved. Currently use the following:

1. Prolonged galvanization. Apply an electric current of small force, but the exposure time is long. The "Krona" battery is a source of current. The course of treatment procedures is usually 20-30 sessions. Electrophoresis calms well, has analgesic effect.
2. Labile galvanization. One electrode during the procedure is fixed motionless, and the second is in motion and moves at a speed of 3-5 cm per second over the surface of the skin. To eliminate current fluctuations, a stabilizing device is introduced into the apparatus. The procedure improves metabolism, improves blood circulation of organs and tissues and neuromuscular conduction.
3. Interstitial electrophoresis. Carrying out the procedure of drug electrophoresis according to this method is reduced to the introduction, through the cannula, of the drug or mixture of substances subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The medicine may be injected or dripped. To the focus of the lesion across the electrodes are applied to increase the concentration of the medical preparation. If the drug is injected, then the current is turned on simultaneously, and with the drip, after injection.

In neurological practice, electrophoresis is used in many diseases of the nervous system. The following methods are used:

1. Vacuum electrophoresis. A special EVAC-1 apparatus is used, which has a vacuum pump, cuvettes. During the procedure, the cuvettes are applied to the skin or mucous membrane, and the lining is impregnated with the drug. After the discharged pressure is created, the skin is raised and closely in contact with the drug. The duration of the procedure is only 5-10 minutes, on the course it is necessary to make such 5-10 depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of his disease. This method of electrophoresis allows you to introduce more medicine and much more deeply.

2. Microelectrophoresis. To perform the procedure, use a cotton insert into which a wick stuck with a drug is inserted. An electrode is placed on top of it to create a contact between the metal tip and the cotton wool. The use of drug electrophoresis using this technique is often used in hypertension, sleep disorders, pathologies of the nervous system.

3. The electrophonophoresis is a combination of ultrasound and electrophoresis. There is a special device that consists of an alternating current source that exerts a therapeutic effect, a transducer that converts ultrasound, a source of stabilized current, an electric plug and an electrode. During the procedure, the electrode is fixed to the skin, the electrical attachment is filled with the preparation, fixed to the ultrasonic sensor and connected to the other pole of the current source. The current strength is gradually increased, and then ultrasound is turned on. Procedures are done daily, you can every other day, for 10-15 minutes.

The methods of electrophoresis are different, but which ones to use, the attending physician decides.

Methods of electrophoresis

In addition to various methods, there are ways to use this procedure:

1. The bathtub. The essence is that a medicinal solution is placed in a special container with built-in electrodes and the part of the patient's body is immersed.
2. Interstitial. Intravenous or oral administration of the drug, and electrodes are applied to the affected site.
3. The cavity method is used for diseases of the rectum or vagina. Inside the medicine is introduced and the electrode is supplied, and the second electrode is attached to the outer part of the body.

If drug electrophoresis is prescribed, the algorithm of carrying out is important to know, but it must also be taken into account that different factors influence the absorption of the drug:

• Location of the procedure.
• Age of the patient.
• Duration of electrophoresis.
• Dosage and concentration of the drug.
• The strength of the electric current.
• Ion charge and their size.
• Individual features of the patient.

All this must be taken into account and adjusted parameters in each case individually.

What are the advantages of electrophoresis?

There are many physiotherapy procedures, and each has its pros and cons. The advantages of drug electrophoresis are as follows:

• During the procedure, a small amount of the drug is administered.
• The substances accumulate, which means that the procedure has a prolonged effect.
• Medicines are administered in the most accessible form, in the form of ions.
• A high local concentration is created without saturation of blood and lymph.
• It is possible to introduce medicinal substances into the pathology sites, which is especially important in the case of microcirculation disturbance.
• The procedure is absolutely painless.
• Very rarely there are side effects.
• Medicines do not enter the digestive tract, and therefore, do not collapse.
• The medicinal substance is injected through holistic integument, therefore special sterilization is not required.

Thus, we can say that this method of physiotherapy is not only effective, but also safe. But before doing the drug electrophoresis, indications and contraindications should be studied.

In which cases are electrophoresis administered

This physiotherapeutic procedure is often prescribed in the complex treatment of many neurological, gynecological, and surgical diseases. It does not do without electrophoresis pediatrics and dentistry. Here is a list of some pathologies that are successfully treated with this procedure:

1. Diseases of the respiratory system, beginning with the usual bronchitis and ending with bronchial asthma and pneumonia.
2. Diseases of the ear, throat and nose.
3. Perfectly amenable to therapy of gastrointestinal disease, for example gastritis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer.
4. Electrophoresis is used in complex therapy of pathologies of the cardiovascular system. This includes hypertension, hypotension, angina pectoris, atrial fibrillation, etc.
5. Diseases of the genitourinary system.
6. Pathologies of the nervous system are practically not without this method of treatment. Migraines, neuroses, radiculitis, intervertebral hernias, etc. are treated well.
7. The musculoskeletal system also responds well to electrophoresis. This procedure is often prescribed after fractures, with osteochondrosis, arthrosis, arthritis.
8. Diseases of the endocrine system.
9. Skin diseases.
10. In the field of dentistry, it is also not uncommon for electrophoresis, for example, for stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontitis.

As can be seen from the list, the drug electrophoresis of the test is quite extensive.

Contraindications to the procedure

There is no such treatment or procedure that absolutely everyone will be allowed to do. We have already considered what indications are available for electrophoresis. And there are contraindications to this method of therapy. To such it is possible to carry:

• Benign and malignant neoplasms anywhere in the body.
• Presence of heart failure.
• Presence of a pacemaker.
• Any inflammatory process in the body in the stage of exacerbation.
• High body temperature.
• Severe form of bronchial asthma.
• Violations of blood clotting.
• Skin diseases, for example eczema or dermatitis.
• Violation of the sensitivity of the skin.
• Presence of mechanical damages in the place of application of medical pads.
• Intolerance to electric current.
• Allergy to medicinal product.
• If electrodes are supposed to be applied to the uterus and ovaries, menstruation is a contraindication.

In any case, even if you think that you do not have any contraindications to the procedure, the drug electrophoresis is possible only after consulting a doctor. All the nuances should be taken into account.

Therapeutic effect of electrophoresis

If drug electrophoresis is prescribed, the technique of carrying out, in principle, any one will be of great benefit, since the procedure produces the following therapeutic effect:

• Reduces the intensity of inflammatory processes.
• Has anti-edematous effect.
• Relieves pain.
• Eliminates spasm of muscle fibers.
• It is soothing to the nervous system.
• Accelerates the regeneration of tissues.
• Activates the human immune system.

At the time of the procedure, the effect also depends on the dominant electrode. If this is a cathode, then:

• There is an expansion of the blood and lymph vessels.
• Relaxation.
• The metabolism is normalized.
• The work of endocrine glands is stabilized.
• Stimulated production of biologically active substances.

The positive electrode-anode-has the following effects:

• Promotes the removal of excess fluid from the body.
• Anesthetizes.
• Removes inflammation.

In the benefit of such a procedure, there can be no doubt, but the main thing is that all contraindications should be taken into account, otherwise this can lead to undesirable consequences.

Side Effects of Electrophoresis

If the procedure is prescribed by a doctor taking into account the condition of the patient and his disease, then the drug electrophoresis undesirable effects are rare. Most often, these are allergic reactions to a medicinal product, which can be manifested by burning, redness, rash and swelling. After the end of the procedure, all symptoms quickly disappear.

Some patients, after several sessions, note an increase in soreness, a slight increase in body temperature. Usually by the end of the course of therapy all sensations pass without medical intervention.

Stages of the procedure

If a procedure for drug electrophoresis is prescribed, the algorithm should be as follows:

1. A nurse or doctor before the procedure should always check the condition of the device.
2. Look in the doctor's appointment card of the doctor.
3. Explain in detail, especially if a person does electrophoresis for the first time, what sensations can be.
4. Help the patient to take a comfortable position.
5. Ensure the integrity of the skin in the place of application of the pads.
6. Prepare the pads corresponding to the place of application, soak them in warm water.
7. Attach them to the patient's body.
8. A lead plate is superimposed on top, which will be connected by a wire to the apparatus.
9. Calculate the current for the procedure.
10. Check that the current intensity regulator is in the extreme left position.
11. Connect the device to the mains.
12. Switch the shunt to the mark "5" if the patient is a child or a procedure is done on the head, and "50" for adult patients and other body parts.
13. Gradually increase the current to the required value.
14. If the patient carries the procedure well, then it can be covered, but warned that, in case of any unpleasant sensations, he should inform the nurse.
15. To mark the time of electrophoresis.
16. After the end of the current regulator put in the position "0".
17. Disconnect the appliance from the mains.
18. Remove electrodes from the patient's body and examine the skin for redness and irritation.
19. The patient should be reminded when he should come for the following procedure.

This algorithm must be known to any nurse.

Any physiotherapeutic procedures will be of great help in complex therapy, but only when they are prescribed taking into account the pathology and individual characteristics of the patient, and also performed qualitatively, by a competent specialist. Do not neglect electrophoresis, this procedure will help to cope with the disease more quickly.