Benzodiazepines: what they are and side effects
Often worries, dislikes, diseases and even another type of medication can cause insomnia or nervousness. For this type of problem there is a pharmacological solution that is the use of Benzodiazepines and we dedicate to them our blog today, Benzodiazepines: what they are and side effects , everything we need to know about this powerful medicine, what its risks and benefits are, what it is and why is used.
What are Benzodiazepines
When we talk about benzodiazepines, we are referring to psychotropic drugs , which act directly on the central nervous system. The benzodiazepines , enhance the mechanisms of inhibition that the brain has, and in this way, relieve excessive activation of it.
But the relief we can feel in the long term produces dependence and if its consumption continues it can increase the risk of suffering dementia or even death.
Benzodiazepines are the drugs most commonly used to treat different anxiety and insomnia symptoms , they are the new generation of drugs that replace the old barbiturates, so fashionable in the 50s and that caused so many tragic deaths.
What Benzodiazepines are used for
The use of benzodiazepines is recommended to treat different actions such as panic attacks, insomnia, ansied ad or compulsive behaviors . As we have already mentioned, these drugs are drugs whose effects last over time and are therefore used to treat states of continuous anxiety.
However when it comes to problems like insomnia , all we need is to sleep and stay the rest of the perfectly active day, for this reason variants with shorter effect will be used, in order to dawn in perfect conditions.
There are currently 5 groups for the use of Benzodiazepines and these are:
- Anxiolytic Benzodiazepines
- Hypnotic Benzodiazepines
- Myorelaxing Benzodiazepines
- Benzodiazepines Anticonvulsants
- Benzodiazepines Sedative anti H1
Anxiolytic Benzodiazepines
Its prescription is in speci al for severe anxiety situations. Benzodiazepines formulated to treat anxiety symptoms, produce a slowdown in the functions of the central nervous system, producing relaxation, a sense of tranquility and calmness strong>. Recommended in case of neurotic or psychosomatic manifestations.Also anticonvulsant benzodiazepines have properties to decrease nausea and vomiting especially after the administration of cancer treatments.
Benzodiazepines Sedative anti H1
Used for anxiety treatments but fundamentally to treat hives and itching, thanks to its sedative properties are also indicated as pre-medication before an anesthetic.
In short, the therapeutic uses of the most commonly used Benzodiazepines are:
- Anticonvulsants
- Anxiolytics
- Insomnia
- Use prior to surgery
- Uses in Intensive Care
- Uses in the elderly population em>
- Alcohol dependence
- Muscle disorders
- Acute mania
- Veterinary Uses
Benzodiazepine Side Effects
The use of benzodiazepines is increasingly widespread among the population and most of the time without due medical control or proper control. Prolonged consumption of benzodiazepines can lead to serious health risks as well as a series of side effects that are mandatory to know.
It is important to be clear that benzodiazepines should never be taken for long periods of time, a few weeks or a month to take them continuously, since it is a potent drug that causes addition. Another characteristic is the tendency to produce forgetfulness or amnesia.
There have also been cases in which benzodiazepines have been used for recreational purposes, for parties and even to commit acts criminals because the person who ingests the drug can become incapacitated to defend themselves, something that along with amnesia, has made these drugs are strictly controlled.
A prolonged use of Benzodiazepines cause:
Amnesia and behavioral disorders
Loss of memory or anterograde amnesia, are one of the consequences or effects produced either by a high time in the consumption of benzodiazepines or with a high dose of it.
- This > memory loss is reduced to recent events, these are not stored in long-term memory zo.
- In the hours following the intake of benzodiazepine a disturbance of psychomotor functions may occur.
Other side effects can be:
- Aggravation of insomnia states
- Nightmares
- Nervousness and agitation
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- States of confusion and reverie
- Psychotic-like disorders
- Impulsive disinhibition
- Irritability with alternative states of euphoria
- Can develop violent behavior
Alternative natural remedies to Benzodiazepines.
In this sense, they may never be a substitute for benzodiazepines, but there are a number of effects that > Natural remedies can mitigate .An infusion of these plants will reduce the excitement and therefore the activity of the individual. Facilitates sleep and the best thing is that does not have any kind of side effect.
Rhodiola Rosea, who depends on gamma-amino-butyric acid or what is the same GABA, this amino acid binds to the GABA-A receptors of our central nervous system, causing the chlorine channels to open, causing an ionic current of chlorine that prevents neuronal electrical discharge, that is, it works same as benzodiazepines.
Another benefit of these plants is that with them there is no withdrawal syndrome, . can suffer after ingesting benzodiazepines causing, irritability, sweating, nightmares, tremors, and so much that we have already described previously.
La Passionflower
Pasiflora's effectiveness has been proven through several studies. Studies that have marked effectiveness in treating anxiety, comparable to drugs containing benzodiazepine. As for work performance, its performance improves since does not offer effects such as drowsiness that does exist in treatments with benzodiazepine.
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