Beta Blockers And Their Side Effects
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Beta blockers, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, work by blocking adrenaline. Their use in treating both common and serious conditions is on the rise. However, because of serious side effects resulting from their use, they are not often regarded as a first choice in treatment.
The intended effects of this medicine are to lower the heart rate, dilate blood vessels and, in some cases, constrict air pathways. For this reason, they are used in the treatment of arrhythmia, high blood pressure, heart failure, angina, tremor, migraines and glaucoma.
As with any drug, side effects can be a problem. In some cases, beta blockers side effects include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and vomiting. They have also been linked to rashes, blurred vision, muscle cramps, fatigue and sexual dysfunction. In other cases, they have been shown to cause headaches and dizziness. That adds up to quite a few side effects. For some people, there is a concern about beta blockers side effects as a contributor to psychological problems such as depression, confusion, nightmares and hallucinations.
Another reason physicians avoid recommending beta blockers is because they conflict with treatments for other conditions. For example, they are not recommended for people with asthma because they block the action of epinephrine, a key ingredient of many inhalers. Beta blockers can mask the symptoms of conditions for which the beta blocker is not a treatment. They often distorts true glucose levels. Because of this, they should not be used by diabetics. In some cases they can aggravate the symptoms. In people with high blood pressure, they can lower good cholesterol and increase bad cholesterol. Additionally, they aren't for people with poor circulation or over the age of sixty.
Because of those beta blockers side effects, it is obvious that women anticipating pregnancy, who are currently pregnant or are currently breastfeeding should not take them.
Those who do go ahead with this medication need to be advised that they need to avoid caffeine, cough and cold medicines, antihistamines and alcohol. They should also be advised that, once they start, they should only stop taking their prescription on the advice of their physician. Sudden withdrawal from a beta blocker can result in serious complications and even death. This medicine should only be considered after other treatments have failed.
Certainly, this medication have a place in treatment of many diseases, but considering its side effects, most patients would be wise to seek natural alternatives if they have or are at risk of any of the above conditions.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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