Posts Tagged ‘Muscle’

Why using skeletal muscle relaxants?

February 16th, 2011

We all deal with muscle spasms in our lives and they may take different forms. Those of you who are exercising on a regular basis or those who have a sedentary lifestyle both experience stiffening in muscles and painful sensations in different parts of the body that affect the ability to move limbs and perform everyday activities. These are the most common causes for using muscle relaxant drugs, but they are not limited to that. Muscle relaxants are often prescribed for speeding up the recovery of patients who have undergone serious neurological condition treatment. Conditions like multiple sclerosis or arachnoid cysts can lead to muscle spasms and other similar symptoms, which require the use of muscle relaxant medications.

Quite often, muscle relaxants are given to speed up the recovery in patients who have undergone serious neurological surgeries in order to minimize the effects of such an intervention. Neurologists know that muscle spasms are often caused by dysfunctions in the nervous tissue that leads to involuntary contraction of a single muscle or a muscle group. And when recovering from a neurological condition, such symptoms can occur quite often. That’s why doctor prescribe muscle relaxants such as Baclofen that significantly improve the recovery process and make it much easier for the patient to re-gain control of their body after the main problem has been eliminated. Drugs like Baclofen work by relaxing the spinal chord and through that improving the ability of the brain to control muscles in different parts of the body.

Thousands of patients undergoing treatment of neurological conditions get prescribed with muscle relaxants every year. Typical muscle relaxant medications are administered either orally or by direct injections into the spinal fluid. Those who suffer from spasticity and severe muscle spasms are advised to choose the latter form of administration, because it lets the drug enter the spinal chord much faster and more effectively, even if it’s a bit painful for the patient.  <A rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=”http://www.meds-for-all.net/”>Baclofen</A> is the most commonly prescribed muscle relaxant for such purposes because it helps overcome spastic symptoms much better than other similar drugs.

Skeletal muscle relaxants make part of a larger class of drugs called muscle relaxants and are used to reduce the unpleasant effects of muscle injuries and spasms. Most skeletal muscle relaxants affect the central nervous system in order to achieve the desired effect. They are usually available as pills or injections, and the dosage depends on the actual condition they are used to relieve. However, there are certain precautions that you should be aware, so you should inform your doctor if you have any of the following:

-    Kidney or liver problems
-    Substance abuse or history of
-    Porphyria
-    Epilepsy

Keep in mind that muscle relaxants are very potent drugs that can cause serious consequences if not used properly. If you need to take them for a long period of time then you should pay your doctor regular visits in order to professionally monitor your condition and make sure that the drugs aren’t causing any harmful effects. Doctors often discourage taking most muscle relaxants for a long period of time because they may develop dependency. Quite often you may be prescribed to switch between different types of skeletal muscle relaxants after a certain period of time in order to lower the risk of dependency.


In the USMLE Pass Program Notes. Dr. Francis is a master. He Explained here the Estrogen Connection in a cardiac physiology class Why does a adolescent female have a dilated heart? •She is an a period in her life that has ↑↑↑ Estrogen = (+) S3 It is greater than males = Dont have an S3. •Therefore, Estrogen must be a MUSCLE RELAXANT!!! •Estrogen is a muscle relaxant and will cause: – S3 – Constipation in pregnancy – urinary retention – DVT – hemrroids – reflux – Relaxed gall bladder (gall stones) – Hips expand – Muscles are weaker – GLOW → d/t vasodilation •Example: The most common presentation of pregnancy is weakness and SOB, most common cause of death is HF… → neuromuscular weakness •Estrogen will protect the heart in women by causing vasodialtion and LOW BP •Estrogen is broken down by the liver (p450) → Anyone with liver failure will have a high estrogen state and will present with the above symptoms •Cirrhosis → ↑ estrogen levels oGynecomastia oSpider telangectsia oTesticular atrophy oCOMA
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Muscle Relaxant and Pain Relief

February 14th, 2011

Muscle relaxants are a kind of drugs, that are generally prescribed for relieving muscle pain. Also they are known as skeletal muscle relaxants (SMRs) and are commonly referred to as pain relief medications. Although a muscle relaxant does not play any type of a role in healing a wound, it does helps in pain relief, which is caused due to the injury. By reducing the contraction and mobility of skeletal muscle, it aids in relieving muscle pain.

A muscle relaxant normally is classed into 2 groups, a neuromuscular blocker and a spasmolytic muscle relaxant.

A neuromuscular blocker prevents the neurotransmission movement, towards the muscle by restraining the synthesis of acetylcholine, at receptor spots. In actual fact, this kind of muscle relaxant triggers impermanent muscle paralysis. Hence, any such muscle relaxant is at times prescribed just before surgical procedure as a supplemental or alternative anesthesia.

However, a spasmolytic muscle relaxant is generally considered a centrally performing muscle pain reliever, due to its influence on the body’s central nervous system. This type of muscle relaxant aims for muscles, so as to prevent spasms, as well as to reduce pain. Spasmolytic muscle relaxant tends to be the most widely approved drug for pain relief. As being a matter of fact, the phrase muscle relaxant in general indicates spasmolytic, even though its range of description has been broadened to include in neuromuscular blockers also. Conversely, since certain pain medicines, in this category, do not show signs of activity of the central nervous system, a better term for spasmolytic would be antispasmodic.

Although many patients might respond positively towards a muscle relaxant, with regards to pain relief, deviations involving various medicines, in this category, make sure drugs less suitable for particular conditions or injuries. For example, baclofen is really a type of a pain reliever, that is found to be effective in specific neurological conditions, like cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Yet, this unique muscle relaxant is not prescribed for orthopedic disorders.

Using a muscle relaxant for every condition, will impart certain risks. Some of the frequent side effects caused by the usage of pain relief drugs are dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision. In other cases muscle relaxants can strengthen other medication effects, further restraining the activity of the central nervous system. Besides, there is always the possibility of addiction and exploitation with enduring intake of these types of pain relief medications.

Moreover, you’ll find specific circumstances where the consumption of certain types of muscle relaxant is absolutely not recommended. For instance, metaxalone might trigger incorrect serum glucose analysis among diabetic patients. Yet one more muscle relaxant, methocarbamol, might amplify the possibility of seizures among epileptic patients.


Find More Muscle Relaxant Articles

Developing Addiction To Muscle Relaxers

February 13th, 2011

The battle against illegal drug abuse has taken a new turn with the growing number of cases involving the use of muscle relaxant medications. The fact is, muscle relaxant medications do have ingredients and effects that are considered habit-forming.  These drugs, similar to some narcotics, target some areas of the central nervous system to reduce or eliminate the sensation of pain.  Users of the medication may   experience aslight “buzz” that may be likened to the “high” effects of certain narcotic substances. In particular, the sensation has sometimes been compared to morphine, which is also used to control pain. Morphine is classified as a pain killer and it does have a muscle relaxant effect.  Both drugs target the central nervous system by inhibiting the production or flow of certain chemical transmitters. In the case of morphine, the drug temporarily disables the neurotransmitters that signal the body to feel pain in  certain afflicted areas. In the case of a muscle relaxant, the drug actually also works to control the  amount of activity involving the chemical receptors and transmitters. Also, the morphine is used to remove the sensation of pain to prevent the patient from recognizing that physical damage is occurring, whereas a muscle relaxant is designed to help prevent damage to muscle tissue.

The latest statistics show that muscle relaxant addiction is still far from being considered a rampant social problem.  But if not addressed properly, it can be a serious concern in the not-to-distant future.  While there are some pain killing drugs available in the market, these are thought to be too mild to generate the addictive “buzz” that addicts crave for.  According to some reports, there are some more potent muscle relaxant drugs being tested out that might be made available without a doctor’s prescription. If that is the case, then the number might increase.

Another factor to consider might be that some people addicted to pain killers might actually be unaware that they are developing an addiction, or are actually hooked on drugs. Denial is actually one of the strongest characteristics among people with substance abuse problems.  Persons addicted to narcotics or prescription medication slide down gradually, only to find themselves emotionally, psychologically, and physically bound to excessive drug use.

Since these medications can be used either on a regular basis or whenever the patient needs them, it can be difficult to determine if someone is using them irregularly or has developed a dependency. The easiest way to tell would be to know doses taken each day.   The larger the doses taken regularly, the faster that a user can develop dose tolerance which can lead to a progressively larger intake of the drug.

Substance abuse, including the unregulated intake of pain killers, is a problem that should concern everyone.  If left unattended, it can be next major problem for law enforcement.  Fortunately, majority of pain killers are still prescription drugs that cannot be obtained without approval from a doctor or licensed pain therapist.  Still, adequate attention must be made on just how many patients are prescribed with pain killing products, how much is now being consumed in the market, and by whom.  The right to maintain privacy when it comes to receiving medication is important.  However, taking steps to prevent a good thing, such as the availability of drugs to help patients in great pain, to turn into a negative thing that turns these very same drugs into substances that actually control instead of bringing more pain over the long haul.


Related Muscle Relaxant Articles