SYMPATHOLYTIC DRUGS Meaning and
Definition
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Sympatholytic drugs, also known as adrenergic blockers, are a class of medications that act to inhibit or block the effects of the sympathetic nervous system, a part of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response, which results in increased heart rate, blood pressure, and other physiological changes in response to stress or danger.
Sympatholytic drugs work by blocking the receptors for norepinephrine and epinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in the sympathetic nervous system. By blocking these receptors, sympatholytic drugs can reduce the effects of sympathetic stimulation, leading to a decrease in heart rate, blood pressure, and contraction of smooth muscles in blood vessels.
These medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart), and certain heart rhythm disorders. By reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, sympatholytic drugs help to lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the heart, thereby reducing the workload on the heart and decreasing symptoms.
Some common examples of sympatholytic drugs include beta blockers, alpha blockers, and centrally acting sympatholytics. Beta blockers selectively block beta-adrenergic receptors, while alpha blockers block alpha-adrenergic receptors. Centrally acting sympatholytics work in the brain to reduce sympathetic nerve outflow. Overall, sympatholytic drugs play an essential role in managing cardiovascular conditions and regulating sympathetic activity in the body.
Common Misspellings for SYMPATHOLYTIC DRUGS
- aympatholytic drugs
- zympatholytic drugs
- xympatholytic drugs
- dympatholytic drugs
- eympatholytic drugs
- wympatholytic drugs
- stmpatholytic drugs
- sgmpatholytic drugs
- shmpatholytic drugs
- sumpatholytic drugs
- s7mpatholytic drugs
- s6mpatholytic drugs
- synpatholytic drugs
- sykpatholytic drugs
- syjpatholytic drugs
- symoatholytic drugs
- symlatholytic drugs
- sym-atholytic drugs
- sym0atholytic drugs
- sympztholytic drugs
Etymology of SYMPATHOLYTIC DRUGS
The term "sympatholytic drugs" is made up of two components: "sympatho-" and "-lytic".
The word "sympatho-" is derived from the Greek word "sympatheia", which means "fellow feeling" or "connection". In medical terminology, it is used to refer to the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the "fight or flight" response in the body.
The suffix "-lytic" is derived from the Greek word "lysis", which means "dissolving" or "breaking down". In pharmacology, the "-lytic" suffix is used to describe drugs that inhibit or suppress a specific physiological process.
Therefore, "sympatholytic drugs" refers to medications that work by inhibiting or blocking the actions of the sympathetic nervous system. These drugs are commonly used to reduce blood pressure or treat conditions such as hypertension and anxiety.
