Are These Drugs Robbing You Of A Good Time In Bed?

Are prescriptions drugs hurting your sex life?

You might not realize it, but many prescription drugs put a damper on your libido or can cause erectile dysfunction. Of course your doctor is not at fault. In his effort to keeping you healthy he might be indirectly killing your sex life!

It is important to understand that you should never stop any medication that your doctor prescribes. If these drugs are acting like a cold shower on your sex life I have a few alternatives that might help you.

First, let's take a look at the prescriptions that have the worst affect on your libido.

Many prescription drugs affect your circulation. This is especially true of the blood pressure medications Norvasc, Vasotec, and Lopressor. The ability to achieve and maintain an erection depends on blood flow to the penis. It's no surprise that when you chemically alter your circulation, it can cause problems. All of these drugs commonly lead to erectile dysfunction.

Other prescriptions affect your brain chemistry. This is especially true of the antidepressant drugs, Zoloft, Prozac, and Buspar. These drugs can be a real problem when it comes to your sex life.

If you find yourself in a situation where your health depends on one of these prescriptions, don't give your love life up as lost. Instead, consider trying a libido-enhancing herbal remedy. They are much safer than Viagra and they can be very effective.

Get Your Sex Life Back on Track

For men, there are many good supplements that can help to correct sexual problems at the source. These supplements usually either improve your circulation or help to bring your Testosterone levels into a proper balance.

Yohimbine: This African herb has a long history of treating sexual dysfunction. It comes from the bark of an evergreen tree. The bark contains an alkaloid that helps to increase blood flow to the penis. In one study, 71 percent of men taking yohimbine for eight weeks reported better sexual function.1 For good results, try taking 150 mg of yohimbine each day.

Muira Puama: This herb is derived from the roots of a shrub that grows in Brazil. In a French study of men suffering from impotence, muira puama successfully helped over half of the participants achieve better erections. 2

DHEA: This hormone plays a variety of important roles within the body. One such role is as a precursor to the male sex hormone, androgen. As you age androgen, Testosterone, and DHEA all tend to decline. Lower levels of these hormones often add up to a lower sex drive. By supplementing with DHEA, you can actually help to bring your sex hormones back to normal levels. It doesn't take much. Just 5 mg each day can make a big difference.

L-Arginine: Your penile blood flow is constantly under control by hormones, nerves and neurotransmitters. And the major bio-chemicals that regulate arterial smooth muscle relaxation and dilation are nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic GMP (guanosine monophosphate).

Research shows that one of the most effective ways to boost blood flow is by increasing the blood's natural nitrous oxide. Oral administration of high-dose L-Arginine can significantly improve sexual function in men. L-Arginine will also stop the breakdown of cGMP, allowing the muscles in your penis to relax.

One More Thing That Can Help

In addition to supplements, I highly recommend beginning a Kegel regimen if you don't practice one already. Kegel exercises work the pelvic floor muscles and can be very effective at restoring erectile function. Just flex the muscles you would use to cut off the flow of urine. Hold them tense for five to ten seconds and then relax. Try doing three sets of ten each day and see if you don't notice a difference.

Mark Rosenberg, MD


Institute For Healthy Aging

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1 Vogt H, et al. "double-blind placebo controlled safety and efficacy trial with yohimbine hydrocloride in the treatment of nonorganic erectile dysfunction," Int J Imot RS 1997; 9: 151-61

2 Waynberg J. first International Congress on Ethnopharmacology, Strabourg, France, 6/5/1990

Nervousness and Shaking: Are They the Same Thing?

Asked if they feel nervous, some people respond by holding up their unshaking hands, watching them a few seconds and saying, "I don't think so. They look steady to me!" This unexpected answer illustrates the confusion many people have about anxiety, tremors, and what they have to do with each other.

A psychiatrist friend proposed a useful labeling system. He refers to internal states of anxiety, worry and upset as "inner nerves." By contrast, when outward, visible tremulousness is present, he calls that "outer nerves." The distinction is important because the causes and treatments of "inner nerves" and "outer nerves" are almost entirely different from each other.

It's not hard to see where the confusion arises. Most people with tremulousness experience worsening of their shaking in states of high emotion, like anger, fear-or even joy. They notice improvement in tremor when they are feeling unstressed, and their companions see their tremoring disappear completely when they sleep. Yet, it's not the emotional states that caused the tremor. Instead, the emotions just increased or decreased a tremor that was already there for another reason.

Although tremor can occur in almost any part of the body, shaking of the hands is most common and can be caused by a variety of conditions. Tremors can also vary in their appearance, and the appearance of the tremor can narrow down the list of possibilities.

Here are the three basic tremor patterns:

#1. Tremors most evident while the hands are at rest. A typical situation is that the hands shake worse while in the person's lap than while in the air or when put to use. This pattern is seen most often with Parkinson's disease or with medications that can produce a Parkinson-like condition, including most antipsychotic and anti-nausea drugs.

#2. Tremors most evident with the hands held in the air. (A related pattern involves tremor maximal when the hands are put to use, for example, to write a letter or hold a cup of water.) This pattern can be seen on an inherited basis, with an overactive thyroid gland, with certain medications (including drugs for asthma, seizures or manic-depressive illness) and for no good reason at all (called essential tremor).

#3. Tremors that worsen when the moving hand approaches a target, for example, to pick up a pencil or scratch one's nose. This relatively uncommon pattern is seen with damage to the part of the brain known as the cerebellum, located in the back of the head.

To the extent that the underlying problem can be fixed, the tremor will usually improve as well. So if someone's tremor is due to an overactive thyroid, the tremor will improve when the thyroid problem is corrected. If a tremor is due to Parkinson's disease, then it will get better with medication for this condition. And if medication itself is causing the problem, then a dose-reduction or substitution of another drug might do the trick.

What if an underlying cause is not found, or correction of an underlying problem doesn't make the tremor go away? Treatment might still be available. In the case of tremors most evident with the hands in the air, certain medications might provide meaningful improvement, including primidone (brand name Mysoline), propranolol (Inderal), metoprolol (Lopressor) and gabapentin (Neurontin).

People with anxiety (inner nerves) respond best to anxiety-relieving medications and counseling. But medications that relieve anxiety do not help tremors (outer nerves) much, except to the extent that they make the patient drowsy. This is because all tremors improve with drowsiness. However, being perpetually drowsy is not a favorable trade-off for controlling tremor.

Who should get treated? It's an individual decision. Assuming that underlying problems have already been screened for, symptomatic treatment of inner nerves or outer nerves depends on the answers to two questions:

#1. Does the symptom cause distress?


#2. Does the symptom interfere with usual activities?

An affirmative answer to either question means that treatment should be considered.

(C) 2005 by Gary Cordingley

Gary Cordingley, MD, PhD, is a clinical neurologist, teacher and researcher. For more health-related articles see his website at: http://www.cordingleyneurology.com

Best Migraine Prevention Medicines

Migraine headaches are a destructive part of life for nearly 11 out of 100 people. During migraine episodes, they can barely function. They curtail daily activities, and all of life seems distorted. Between episodes, they may feel anxious about the next one, and wish for some form of migraine prevention.

Although guaranteed migraine prevention seems to be more a promise than a reality as of the writing of this article, you do have options for treating symptoms, and, better yet, options for possible migraine prevention.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Although migraines seem to run in families, migraine prevention does not always run in the same course. For some migraineurs, prevention is as simple as changing a few habits. For others, migraine prevention seems to require strong medication.

What are the best migraine prevention medicines for you? The ultimate answer must be decided by you and your physician. We offer here a number of medicines for consideration.

Common Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines

This is the first line of migraine prevention - beginning at the minimal strength, minimal dosage to see if it will be a solution. Among these migraine prevention medicines are the following.

1. Aspirin in a regimen dose, i.e., tiny 81 mg tablets, commonly called "baby aspirin". For migraine prevention, these would be taken daily, just as they are to reduce risks of heart disease.

2. Ibuprofen such as Motrin, Nuprin, or Advil may be taken occasionally. Your physician will advise as to how often you should take ibuprofen for migraine prevention. People with active stomach ulcers or sensitive stomachs will not want to use ibuprofen, since it has aspirin-like effects. If you take ibuprofen, take it with food to minimize the effect. You should also be aware that ibuprofen has a blood thinning effect that can reduce the effectiveness of some blood pressure medicines and diuretics.

3. Naproxen may be effective for you, under its more common name, Aleve. This medicine may reduce the number of your migraines, but is not likely to give total migraine prevention.

4. A fourth OTC pain reliever you may want to try at the first sign of a migraine is Excedrin Migraine.

Ask your doctor before taking any of these regularly for migraine prevention.

Common Prescription Medicines

If OTC medicines fail to provide the degree of migraine prevention you seek, you may want to try a prescription medicine. Prescription strength pain relievers have been found to reduce the number of migraine episodes for more than half of all migraineurs. A few of the many prescription medicines available to you are listed here.

1. Ponstel, Anaprox, Naprosyn, Naprelan, and Topamax. Topamax claims to be the U.S. #1 prescribed brand for migraine prevention. Prescription strength Naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Naprelan) thins the blood, so your physician may not choose this as a fit for you if you are taking oral blood thinners or anticoagulants. Naproxen can have adverse gastrointestinal side effects also, so you should not use it if you have an active ulcer or sensitive stomach. Most doctors believe it is better to use medicines of this type continuously over a period of time to build up the effectiveness and provide ongoing migraine prevention rather than just pain relief.

2. Another class of prescription medicines that may give migraine prevention is Beta-blockers. These drugs, more often used to reduce high blood pressure, are sometimes helpful in cutting down on the number of migraine episodes. Of those that may give effective migraine prevention are inderal, Lopressor, metoprolol, nadolol, and timolol.

3. Physicians are gradually learning that antidepressants also provide migraine prevention for some patients. It is believed that this is due to the medicines' effects on serotonin, the brain's chemical messenger that influences migraine.

Which Size Is Right for You?

There are many other medicines, both prescription and non-prescription that are thought to provide a measure of migraine prevention. Like shopping for a new pair of dress shoes, you may have to try several before you find the one or two that work for you. Be sure to do your migraine prevention "shopping" with a health care provider, as he or she will know the possible side effects or interactions with medication you are already taking.

(C)2007, Anna Hart. Member of a "migraine family" and sympathizer with all migraineurs, Anna invites you to read more of her articles about the prevention of migraine headaches at http://www.migrainereliefblog.com/ You won't want to miss Anna's flip-side insights and perspectives on the best migraine prevention without medicines.

Does The Large Range Of Blood Pressure Reducing Medications Confuse You?

Blood pressure reducing medications are often used when exercise and diet has not reduced your blood pressure to a safe level or to control your pressure while you are making the required lifestyle changes to produce the desired results.

The number of blood pressure lowering medicines available is staggering and, as many of the presently available medications are frequently used in combination for treatment, choosing the right medication or combination of medicines presents your physician with something of a headache. Here however is an overview of the different groups of blood pressure lowering medicines presently in everyday use.

Diuretics

The first line of attack are diuretics which are simply designed to rid the body of excess fluid and, most importantly in terms of high blood pressure, to reduce salt levels.

Frequently used diuretics include Midamor, Esidrix, Hygroton, Hydrodiuril, Lasix, Diuril, Lozol, Bumex and Aldactone.

A number of diuretic reduce potassium levels in the body and may lead to weakness, tiredness and leg cramps. This can normally be effectively countered by eating foods which contain potassium or by taking potassium supplements in either tablet or liquid form. Diuretics can also result in increased blood sugar levels and a change of diet or drug, oral diabetic medication or insulin might be needed in the case of diabetics.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors act to enlarge the blood vessels and therefore reduce the resistance to blood flow and pressure within these vessels. Consequently the heart does not need to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body.

Frequently used ACE inhibitors include Lotensin, Monopril, Capoten, Univasc, Mavik, Accupril, Prinivil, Altace, Aceon, Vasotec and Zestril.

ACE inhibitors can cause a skin rash, a chronic hacking cough and in very rare cases kidney damage.

AT-2 Receptor Antagonists

Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists work in a similar manner to ACE inhibitors although they have the benefit for many people of not producing the hacking cough so often seen with taking ACE inhibitors.

Frequently used AT-2 receptor antagonists include Atacand, Micardis, Cozaar, Avapro and Teveten.

There are normally very few side effects experienced with AT-2 receptor antagonists although in some people they may produce occasional dizziness.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers act to reduce blood pressure by decreasing both the heart rate and output.

Frequently used beta blockers include Sectral, Kerlone, Inderal, Cartrol, Betapace, Tenormin, Corgard, Zebeta, Toprol XL, Blocadren, Lopressor and Ziac.

A number of beta blockers may cause insomnia, depression, the symptoms of asthma, tiredness, cold hands and feet and in very rare cases can result in impotence.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by interrupting the flow of calcium into both the heart and blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers include what is generally agreed to be the most popular blood pressure medication in the world - Norvasc.

Other common calcium blockers include Lotrel, Tiazac, Cardizem, Vascor, Adalat, Nimotop, Isoptin, Sular, Calan, Procardia, Plendil and Verelan.

The side effects differ considerably from one calcium blocker to the next but some frequently seen side effects include headache, palpitations, dizziness, constipation and swollen ankles.

As can be seen there is a very large number of medications available for reducing blood pressure and when you consider that these are frequently used together by combining for example ACE inhibitors and calcium blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics or AT-2 receptor antagonists and diuretics then the range of possible treatments is almost too high to count.

Of course on the one hand this is good news because it means that it is possible to tailor treatment to the precise needs of each patient. However, on the other hand it also makes selecting the best treatment somewhat difficult.

TheBloodPressureCenter.com provides information on blood pressure medications including information about Norvasc hypertension dosage.

Are We About To Have a Vaccine To Cure High Blood Pressure?

For a lot of individuals suffering from high blood pressure the only long-term answer is daily pills and frequent monitoring from your doctor with adjustments to your dosage or changes in your tablets as necessary. So just how much better would it be if you could simply have a vaccination for high blood pressure and dispense with your daily tablets?

Almost one in three Americans are presently suffering from high blood pressure but, because of the complex mixture of medication frequently necessary for treatment, only about one third of those individuals in fact have got their blood pressure under control. But, this might be about to change shortly.

In a trial which was conducted earlier this year (2007) a total of 72 people (65 men and 7 women with an average age of just over 51) suffering from either mild or moderate high blood pressure were injected with a low dose (100 micrograms) vaccine, a high dose (300 micrograms) vaccine or a placebo. This process was repeated for weeks later and at the end of twelve weeks.

Two weeks after the final injection it was noted that the high dose vaccine patients were showing a drop of more than 5 mm Hg in their systolic blood pressure and close to 3 mm Hg in their lower diastolic blood pressure reading.

More significant, it was also found that the characteristic, and often dangerous, spike in pressure which happens in the morning between 5 am and 8 am was also lowered markedly by 25 mm Hg systolic and 13 mm Hg diastolic.

The trial patients all tolerated the vaccine without problem and there were no safety issues during the trial.

Okay, but just how does this vaccine work?

At the moment high blood pressure is treated with a number of drugs which are designed to act on the body in different ways. Two of the classes of drugs in common use are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (such as Lotensin, Monopril, Prinivil, Vasotec, Altace, Univasc, Accupril, Aceon and Zestril) and angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor blockers (such as Atacand, Micardis, Avapro and Teveten). All of these drugs work by blocking the action of a molecule which causes the blood vessels to narrow and therefore to increase the pressure within the blood vessels.

The vaccine used in the trial, which is known as CYT006-ANgQb, is designed to work in precisely the same way as these two currently used drugs and so should certainly be an alternative for those patients whose high blood pressure is now treated with ACE inhibitors or AT-2 receptor blockers.

But what about those patients whose high pressure is currently being treated with the alternatives of beta blockers (such as Sectral, Corgard, Lopressor, Tenormin, Inderal, Kerlone, Blocadren, Toprol XL, Betapace, Ziac and Zebeta) or calcium channel blockers (such as Norvasc, Cardizem, Tiazac, Calan, Procardia, Vascor, Adalat, Nimotop and Verelan)?

Naturally, it is early days yet and further trials will be needed before we see a vaccine in everyday use to control high blood pressure. However, if the scientists are right, it is likely that this vaccine is going to be effective for the majority of sufferers, whatever the treatment presently being given.

Only time will tell, but this is obviously a very encouraging development.

TheBloodPressureCenter.com provides information on a wide range of topics including blood pressure monitor ratings and the causes of high blood pressure

9 Different Drugs That Are Incompatible With Diabetic Medications

People with diabetes often have many other serious medical problems as well. A recent study found that diabetics take an average of six medications for other medical conditions each day. Some of these drugs are safe to take with diabetic medications. However, some of these drugs can also cause extremely bad reactions when mixed with diabetic medications.

Ideally you have made all of your doctors aware of every medication you are taking so that they won't put you on drugs that can have adverse interactions with your other medications. However, when you are taking a lot of different drugs, it is hard for your doctor to anticipate every possible interaction. You should take responsibility for yourself to research each of the drugs you are taking. You should take note of all of the interactions those drugs are known to have with other drugs so that you will be able to spot any bad combinations yourself.

In addition to adverse consequences from the drugs themselves, many of the drug interactions and resulting bad reactions may be cloaked under a condition you already have. For example, instead of having some bizarre medical reaction, you may have a reaction that is simply a worsening of a condition you already have. For example, it will be hard for a doctor to determine if your diabetes is getting worse because of medication interactions since there are many other reasons diabetes can go out of control.

Here is a list of 9of the most common drugs that may have adverse effects on diabetics:

1. Beta blockers: These may reduce the release of insulin. Some examples are Lopressor, Tenormin, and Inderal.

2. Minoxidil: This can raise your blood glucose levels. If you are on insulin and you forget your minoxidil dose, your blood glucose may go too low. If you are not on insulin this may make it hard for you to keep your blood glucose down through lifestyle choices.

3. Thiazide diuretics: These diuretics can cause a loss of potassium, which can lead to rising blood glucose levels. Some examples of Thiazide diuretics are Oretic, Diuril, hydroDiuril, and Zaroxolyn.

4. Classic oral contraceptives: Those using the same oral contraceptives they've used for many years should check to make sure theirs is safe for them to continue taking. While the newer oral contraceptives are mostly safe for diabetics to take, the older oral contraceptives were prone to causing hypoglycemia in those susceptible.

5. Calcium channel blockers: These can reduce insulin secretions from the pancreas. Some examples are Norvasc, Adalat, Isoptin, Calan, and Procardia.

6. Thyroid hormone: This can cause a reduction in insulin secretions from the pancreas.

7. Niacin: This B vitamin helps the body control cholesterol. It can also raise your blood sugar if you're a diabetic.

8. Diphenylhydantoin: Commonly sold under the name Dilantin, this drug is useful in preventing seizures. However, it can block pancreatic insulin release.

9. Corticosteroids: You might not think that a topical cream would affect your blood glucose levels, but corticosteroids taken in this manner can in fact raise your blood glucose levels.

Do you want to find out more about Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms Perhaps you have a loved one who has Diabetes? Get more insights on Diabetes Care

For more information, CLICK HERE

Treatment To Deal With Headache

When we are suffering from a headache we by and large think of ways to stop the pain. As there are different types of headaches sometimes the treatments may work for only a few headaches.

There are two different ways of curing the pain caused by headaches. These types of headache treatment can be called prophylactical and abortive. The prophylactic treatment must be continued everyday in order to cut down the frequency of the attacks and to assure the severity of the headache. The abortive headache treatment is begun only when the headaches start.

You should see that your doctor would not order any prophylactic headache treatment unless you are hurt from several and frequent headache attacks a month. When you take the prophylactic medicine you will be monitored for side effects like weight gain, water retention, lethargy, memory impairment and hallucinations. The discussion of headaches with hindrance medicine begins with low doses. The dosage measure is increased as time passes. You will be tested every calendar month or so to see if the treatment is taking effect. Your doctor will also make sure that during the phase of your headache treatment that you are not taking any other types of medicinal drug or vitamins. One very important fact that must be looked in to is whether you are pregnant. On the off chance that you do become pregnant then your doctor should be informed so that your pregnancy and any possible personal effects to the fetus may discovered quickly.

The major prescription drugs that are used for headache treatment are beta-blockers like Tenormin and Lopressor. Calcium channel blockers such as Cardizem, Dilacor, and Procardia are also used. Doctors may also prescribe antidepressants like Amitriptyline and Zoloft. You can use Serotonin Antagonists like Sansert. Sometimes anticonvulsants such as Tegretol, Depakote, and Dilantin are granted for headache treatment. Cafergot and Sansert, which are Ergot derivatives may also be prescribed by your doctor.

The abortive headache treatment that you can take for your headache trouble is generally the over the counter type. These include Aspirin, Tylenol, Panadol, Motrin, and Advil to name but a few. Panadol are known as Acetaminophen drugs. Motrin and Advil belong to the group of drugs that are known as Ibuprofen. Besides these headache treatment medications include nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs.

The side personal effects of NSAIDs like Naprosyn and Meclomen include nausea, gastrointestinal pain, dizziness, diarrhea, light-headedness and constipation. These headache treatment medications can also cause some people to get headaches. Since these drugs can cause other problems you should confer with your doctor and find out if they are proper for you. For people who would choose an option form of headache treatment talk with your doctor can develop if this character of treatment will help with your headaches.

For more information on Headache Treatments check out http://www.stopyourheadache.com You'll find loads of tips and techniques plus you'll find answers to questions many others in your situation have asked before. But Hurry! For a limited time you can get your very own copy of our award winning Headache Software at absolutely no cost.

A Wide Array Of Effective Headache Treatments

Being one of the common illnesses of people all over the world, headaches are usually cured by more and more people using over-the-counter painkillers to treat it.

TREATING HEADACHES

Contrary to popular belief, headaches cannot be cured but they can be managed or controlled. Today, more and more medications have emerged that aim to stop the throbbing pain associated with it or stop the symptoms that have resulted from it.

Taking in medications is the most popular way of combating the pains brought about by headaches. People from the medical field have categorized these into two: the Prophylactic treatment that is done every day to reduce the severity and frequency of attacks and Abortive treatment that is done once the headache attack begins.

A physician usually suggests prophylactic treatment only if the person is experiencing numerous headache attacks monthly. Once you have undergone this treatment, the doctor will strictly monitor the possible side effects like lethargy, drastic weight gain, hallucinations, memory impairment, and water retention.

While taking in this medication, make sure that you don't combine it with any weight loss products. For starters, make sure that you are taking in low doses first before taking in large dose under prescription to test if it's working correctly. Your physician should also constantly monitor any drug or vitamin intake and see if these interfere with the medication.

Pregnant women are not allowed to take this kind of medication and make sure that the medication is discontinued once the headache becomes manageable.

Prophylactic treatment involves the use of Beta Blockers like Tenormin, Lopressor, and inderal, Calcium Channel Blockers like Cardizem, dilacor, and Procardia, Antidepressants like Elavil and Zoloft, Serotonin Antagonists like Sansert, Anticonvulsants like Tegretol, Depakote, and Dilantin, and Ergot derivatives like Cafergot.

Abortive treatment, on the other hand, is considered the first line of defense against headaches by taking in over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin, Acetaminophen like Tylenol, panadol or ibuprofen. Usually, physicians prescribe a medication that is a combination of analgesic with other substances in order to increase its effects.

In order to relieve anxiety, abortive treatments also involve the usage of anti-inflammatory drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs that include Naprosyn, anaprox, Ponstel, meclomen, tolectin, and toradol which are helpful in treating headaches.

Although NSAIDs are used both symptomatically and prophylactically, experts warn future users that these may lead to side effects like gastrointestinal pains and disorder like diarrhea or constipation along with nausea or dizziness.

Low Jeremy maintains http://headache.articlesforreprint.com. This content is provided by Low Jeremy. It may be used only in its entirety with all links included.

Chronic Daily Headache Treatment

Chronic headache treatment is possible as there are a variety of preventive medications available. Here are the medications your doctor may recommend.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants such as Amitriptyline (Aventyl), nortriptyline (Pamelor) and other tricyclic antidepressants are the most widely used treatments for all forms of these headaches. These medications are valuable because they also help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances that often accompany chronic daily headache.

SSRIs ( selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors)

There is also evidence that suggests other antidepressants such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be effective in treating these headaches for some sufferers. SSRIs that have been used to treat this condition include Fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, nafazodone, veniafazine, citaloprom and escitalopram. These SSRIs can have adverse effects so, again, it is important you discuss these with your doctor.

Beta-blockers

While these drugs are most commonly used to treat high blood pressure, they are often helpful in treating episodic migraines. Beta-blockers used to treat chronic daily headache include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal) and timolol (Blocadren). In some cases these beta-blockers are prescribed in combination with antidepressants.

Anti-seizure drugs

Anticonvulsant drugs used in migraine prevention are also being used increasingly to treat this type of headache. Drugs in this category include divalproex (Depakote), gabapentin, (Neurontin) and topiramate (Topamax).

Muscle relaxers

While not always effective in the treatment of chronic daily headache, muscle relaxers such as tizanidine Zanaflex) have helped in some cases.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents)

Naproxen and other nonsteroidal and anti-inflammatory drugs may be effective in the treatment of these daily headaches, especially if you're undergoing withdrawal from some other pain relievers. Included in this group are naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox), ketoprofen (Orudis) and mefenamic acid (Ponstel)

Cox-2 inhibitors

While These drugs Are Similar to NSAIDs, they work differently and have fewer side effects. Medications such as Celebrex, Vioxx and Excedrine are most helpful in treating chronic daily headache when combined with other preventive medications. Typically, they are prescribed for one or two months if you are withdrawing from pain relief medications, to help decrease the frequency and severity of rebound headaches.

Others

Botox is currently being researched as a possible for many of treatment for this type of daily headache. Injections of a local anesthetic around a nerve (nerve block) or injections of a numbing agent and corticosteroid at the point of pain are sometimes recommended for chronic daily headache.

If you suffer from chronic daily headache, you have probably wondered, "why me?" If you click here, you can learn the newest theories as to what causes headaches and get more detailed information about chronic daily headache treatment.

What Is The Cause Of Erectile Dysfunction

Any number of health conditions you already have can impact your sexual experience. Do you suffer from heart disease, hypertension, chronic alcoholism or depression?

You may not thinks so, but having early signs of erectile dysfunction may be a blessing in disguise. A large number of clinical studies found that it is often an early indicator of cardiovascular disease.

"Erectile dysfunction is often a result of hidden heart problems. It even precedes angina. It can be an early warning system in that respect, "said Dr. Andrew McCullough from the New York University School of Medicine.

Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, atherosclerosis or vascular disease that cause damage to nerves, arteries, smooth muscles and fibrous tissues are some of the most common causes of erectile dysfunction.

What prescription medications are you now taking? There are over 200 medications that can affect your desire, your stamina and performance. Even ordinary drugstore cold medicines can leave you feeling less capable as a man.

Here are some of the common medications that could cause problems.

Blood Pressure: Norvase, Vasotic and Lopressor

Antidepressant: Zoloft, Prozac, Buspar

Antihistamine: Dramamine, Benadryl

Muscle Relaxant: Zantac

Digestion: Norflex

The worst offenders of prescription drugs are cholesterol lowering satin drugs when it comes to the cause of erectile dysfunction.

Of course, we can't over look our lifestyle choices that contribute to high cholesterol, heart disease, vascular problems and being overweight.

It is vital to keep cholesterol at healthy levels, since erections are assisted by the dilation of unclogged blood vessels. A fact not commonly known is the penis is much smaller than the heart. Therefore it's blood vessels are more prone to blockage than those of the heart. Inflexible, narrowed arteries may impede blood flow to the penis.

Cholesterol isn't the sole blame for poor blood vessel health. Homocysteine, a sulfuric amino acid, a by-product of the normal breakdown of proteins in the body is naturally present in the blood stream. Homocysteine makes the platelets in the blood stickier increasing the potential for clotting and inhibits the blood vessels ability to relax. That's why also managing healthy levels of homocypsteine is essential to maintaining healthy blood vessels.

Adopting a healthy life style with regular exercise will help reduce fat and keep the vascular system, including blood vessels to the penis in good working order.

If you would like information about an all natural herbal sexual enhancerto elevate your performance visit: http://Cause.VitalitySecretForMen.com

J P Rhodes

Common High Blood Pressure Medications - Know These 8 Types

There are eight common medications used to treat high blood pressure. While many people dealing with hypertension will possibly be prescribed a combination of a variety of these medications, the amount of medication needed depends greatly on the type and the level of severity of the illness.

While antihypertensive medicines are used to lower blood pressure to normal levels, medications should always be used in combination with a healthy lifestyle change. The main objectives of high blood pressure medications are to not only lower blood pressure but to minimize the side effects caused by some of the medicines.

Diuretics


Water pills are used to remove excess salt from the body. The increase in salt in a person's body causes the blood vessels to retain more fluid than needed. The release of excess fluid in blood vessels, takes a strain off the vessels and arteries.

Examples: Thalitone, Lasix, Esidrix, Lozol, Dyazide, and Maxzide.

Beta-Blockers


Beta-Blockers are used to reduce the amount of blood pressure flowing through the body, by slowing the heart rate down, it allows for an optimal flow of blood throughout the vessels.

Examples: Sectral, Tenormin, Coreg, Lopressor, Toprol, Corgard, Inderal and Blocadren.

ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors)


The hormone Angiotensin II can cause the blood vessels to narrow; ACE inhibitors stop that hormone from production.

Examples: Lotensin, Vasotec, Prinivil, Zestril, Accupril, Altace, and Mavik.

ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)


This medication defends blood vessels from narrowing affects from angiotensin II.

Examples: Atacand, Avapro, Cozaar, Benicar, Micardis, and Diovan.

CCBs (Calcium channel blockers)


Calcium entering from the body's cells can cause blood vessels to constrict, CCB's stop that from happening.

Examples: Norvasc, Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Tiazac, Plendil, Cardene, Adalat, Procardia, Calan, Covera, Isoptin, and Verelan.

Alpha-Blockers


Alpha-Blockers are used to reduce nerve pressure to allow blood to pass in vessels more freely.

Examples: Cardura, Minipress, and Hytrin.

Centrally acting drugs


Centrally acting drugs work with a person's brain chemistry to control nerve impulses that narrow the blood vessels.

Examples: Catapres and Methyldopa.

Direct vasodilators


Direct vasodilators perform by widening the blood vessels to allow more blood to circulate.

Examples: Apresoline and Loniten.

Alvin Hopkinson is a leading and avid researcher of various high blood pressure treatment. He runs an informational website that provides free tips to lower your hypertension and unbiased reviews on medications such as Cardura. To grab your FREE report on how to prevent and treat high blood pressure, make sure you visit Alvin's site at http://www.minusbloodpressure.com

Atrial Septal Defect - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Atrial septal defect is an abnormality of the upper chambers of the heart (atria) where the wall between the right and left atria does not close completely. In general the defect is a hole in the wall (septum) between the top two chambers of the heart (atria). Arial septal defects occur in 4 percent to 10 percent of all children born with congenital heart disease. As a group, atrial septal defects are detected in 1 child per 1500 live births. Smaller atrial septal defects may close on their own during infancy or early childhood. The health effects of holes that remain open often don't show up until last age - usually by age 40. Many people don't realize they have an atrial septal defect until then. Sometimes a doctor detects an atrial septal defect during a newborn exam, or during a routine exam later in life. Large and long-standing atrial septal defects can damage the heart and lungs. An who has had an undetected atrial septal defect for decades may have a shortened life span from heart failure or high blood pressure in the lungs. For children with very small ASDs, the ASD closes on its own about 90% of the time. However, most other ASDs must be closed. People with some types of heart defects, including certain rarer forms of ASD, are at greater risk of developing bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the inner surface of the heart.

The term "atrial septal defect" usually refers to holes in the atria resulting from a lack of atrial septal tissue, rather than those related to a condition called patent foramen ovale (PFO). Symptoms usually have manifested by age 30. Infants with larger atrial septal defects may have poor appetite and not grow as they should. Infants may have signs of heart failure or arrhythmias. Congenital heart defects appear to run in families and sometimes occur with other genetic problems, such as Down syndrome. A genetic counselor can predict the approximate odds that any future children will have one. An atrial septal defect allows oxygen-rich (red) blood to pass from the left atrium, through the opening in the septum, and then mix with oxygen-poor (blue) blood in the right atrium. Complete closure occurs in most individuals. In 25-30% of normal hearts, however, a probe can be passed from the right atrium to the left atrium via the foramen ovale and ostium secundum.

The person also could develop heart or blood vessel damage and be at increased risk of having a stroke or getting a heart infection. Congenital heart defects of significance occur in approximately 8 in 1000 live births. Surgical closure of the defect is recommended if the atrial septal defect is large or if symptoms occur. Anticoagulants, often called blood thinners, can help reduce the chances of developing a blood clot and having a stroke. Anti-coagulants include warfarin (Coumadin) and anti-platelet agents such as aspirin. Keep the heartbeat regular. Examples include beta-blockers (Lopressor, Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin). Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics should be given prior to dental procedures to reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis. Embolization (dislodgement of thrombi) normally go to the lung and cause pulmonary emboli. In an individual with ASD, these emboli can potentially enter the arterial system. In most cases, atrial septal defects can't be prevented. Consider talking with a genetic counselor before getting pregnant.

Treatment for Atrial Septal Defect Tips

1. Surgical closure of an ASD involves opening up at least one atrium and closing the defect with a patch under direct visualization.

2. Embolization (dislodgement of thrombi) normally go to the lung and cause pulmonary emboli.

3. Keep the heartbeat regular. Examples include beta-blockers (Lopressor, Inderal) and digoxin (Lanoxin).

4. Increase the strength of the heart's contractions. Examples include digoxin (Lanoxin).

5. Decrease the amount of fluid in circulation. Doing so reduces the volume of blood that must be pumped. These medications, called diuretics, include Furosemide (Lasix).

6.Prophylactic (preventive) antibiotics should be given prior to dental procedures to reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and diseases treatment. She also writes articles on depression treatment.

Myocarditis - Definition, Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis is collection of diseases of infectious, toxic, and autoimmune. Myocarditis may develop as a complication of an infectious disease, usually caused by a virus. It can occur in people of all ages and is diagnosed more often in men than in women. Myocarditis is likely caused by a wide variety of infectious organisms, autoimmune disorders, and exogenous agents, with genetic and environmental predisposition. Myocarditis is defined as inflammatory changes in the heart muscle and is characterized by myocyte necrosis. Many organisms can infect and injure the heart. Type B, a virus among those that usually infect the gastrointestinal tract, is believed to be the most common offending agent. Many other viruses, such as those of polio, rubella and influenza, have been associated with myocarditis. Myocarditis can occur as a rare complication of bacterial infections, including diphtheria, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, and tetanus. Other infectious organisms, such as rickettsiae and parasites, may also cause inflammation in the heart muscle.

Myocarditis is often associated with pericarditis, and many patients present with signs and symptoms that suggest concurrent myocarditis and pericarditis. Myocarditis can be caused by a variety of pathogens including bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Some people have an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or trouble breathing. Usually, a mild case of myocarditis will go away without any lasting damage. Myocarditis can then cause heart failure (with symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, fluid accumulation in the lungs, etc.) as well as heart rhythm irregularities from inflammation and/or scarring of the electrical system of the heart. Most cases of myocarditis are subclinical; therefore, the patient rarely seeks medical attention during acute illness. These subclinical cases may have transient ECG abnormalities. Certain chemicals. These may include substances such as arsenic and hydrocarbons. Medications that may cause an allergic or toxic reaction. These include antibiotics such as penicillin and sulfonamide drugs, as well as some illegal substances, such as cocaine.

Myocarditis may start as a flu-like illness that lingers longer than the usual several days. In series of routine autopsies, 1-9% of all patients had evidence of myocardial inflammation. In young adults, up to 20% of all cases of sudden death are due to myocarditis. In South America, Chagas' disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) is the main cause of myocarditis. As most viral infections cannot be treated with directed therapy, symptomatic treatment is the only form of therapy for those forms of myocarditis, e.g. NSAIDs for the inflammatory component and diuretics and/or inotropes for ventricular failure. ACE inhibitor therapy may aid in the healing process. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil) and ramipril (Altace). Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) and carvedilol (Coreg). Diuretics and Digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin), which increases the strength of your heart muscle contractions and tends to slow the heartbeat.

Treatment for Myocarditis Tips

1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as enalapril (Vasotec), captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil) and ramipril (Altace).

2. Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) and carvedilol (Coreg).

3. Digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin), which increases the strength of your heart muscle contractions and tends to slow the heartbeat.

4. NSAIDs for the inflammatory component and diuretics and/or inotropes for ventricular failure.

5. ACE inhibitor therapy may aid in the healing process.

6. Diuretics such as Furosemide (Lasix) .

7. Use of a temporary artificial heart (assist device).

Juliet Cohen writes articles for online medical clinic and diseases treatment. She also writes articles on stress treatment.

High Blood Pressure - How Can I Tell If I Have It?

In my last article I looked at the terminology associated with High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease. I also examined the risk factors, and the dangerous consequences of unchecked high blood pressure (hypertension). This article explores how to find out if you may be prone to suffering from high blood pressure, and what you can do if you think you are likely to suffer from it in the future.

Is High Blood Pressure Hereditary?

An important question to ask yourself if you think you may be suffering, or are likely to suffer from high blood pressure is 'Could I have been born with this condition plugged into my genes?' The answer to this Russian roulette question is unfortunately 'yes'. You may be completely innocent of any non hereditary factors, but you may be destined through birth to suffer from this condition. Amongst the many root causes of high blood pressure, the hereditary factor is a possibility which cannot be discounted by anyone. However most people have only one or two antecedent generations from which to gather historical information, so this makes it a difficult factor to predict.

What are the non hereditary factors?

The non hereditary factors contributing to high blood pressure are usually caused primarily by the lifestyle of the individual, which can usually be controlled or altered once a diagnosis of hypertension has been made. Some of these so called 'lifestyle factors' include :-

• Obesity

• Lack of physical exercise

• High levels of sodium (salt) in the diet

• Excessive alcohol consumption

• Tobacco and cigarette use

• High blood cholesterol due to diet

• Stress

There are also some medical conditions which can also contribute to the condition including :-

• Kidney Disease

• Diabetes Meletis

What should I do if I am worried that I may have high blood pressure?

Without doubt, you should find out more. Because hypertension frequently does not produce observable symptoms, you should take urgent steps to have some diagnostic testing done to determine what the state of your blood pressure really is. Many people make the unfortunate mistake of putting off the small amount of effort required to check out their coronary health. This compounds itself over many years, until suddenly the individual finds themself with a medical condition or emergency which could have been flagged up years earlier, and painless preventive treatment undertaken.

There are two ways to quickly and easily determine whether you have a problem with your blood pressure :-

• Make an appointment with a physician (recommended)

• Purchase a self testing blood pressure monitor (either mechanical, or more likely electronic device)

It is always good practice to visit your Doctor if you have any questions about your general health or for specific information about blood pressure risk factors. However, there are many excellent affordable electronic blood pressure monitor devices which can be used in the first instance to give an early warning of potential problems.

Typically, these involve the use of an electronic device attached by a tube to a 'cuff' which attaches around the upper arm using a velcro strap. The user presses a button on the control unit, which in turn automatically inflates the cuff using air pressure to apply pressure to the arm. The resulting pulses produced by the heartbeat can be detected by the control unit to produce an accurate digital display of the user's blood pressure reading. The most recent units may also contain sophisticated memory functions to track and monitor the user's readings over many months or even years.

High Blood Pressure Treatment

Should you be unfortunate enough to be diagnosed with high blood pressure your Doctor may prescribe some form of heart medication. There are a plethora of potentially beneficial drugs available, many of which perform an excellent job in helping to reduce blood pressure. One very popular example of these is Lopressor.

Lopressor - How to Reduce your Heart related problems With Lopressor

Lopressor is a type of medication known as a beta-blocker. Typically beta blocking drugs are used to treat chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure. They can also help patients who have suffered from an acute heart attack, and have been shown to improve survival rates if taken for this condition. A program of high blood pressure reduction may reduce the chances of patients developing strokes, further heart attacks and kidney problems.

Malcolm Waters is a keen researcher of all aspects of heart health, care and treatment including Lopressor and runs a successful website dedicated to the prevention and improvement of the condition for the benefit of the visitor. For great free heart health tips, discount offers and more, see Malcolm's site at http://www.lowerbloodpressurecheap.com

One Blood Pressure Med May Not Be Enough

It should be noted that Lopressor refers to metoprolol tartrate, while Toprol-XL refers to metoprolol succinate, the sustained release formulation.

Lopressor and High Blood Pressure

Metoprolol tartrate, sold as Lopressor, is a beta blocker which means it affects the heart and circulatory system. Lopressor is frequently used in the treatment of angina. Other uses include heart attack prevention and blood pressure control.

Proper Usage

This medication needs to be taken exactly as prescribed. It is best to take this medication with food, or right after a meal with a full glass of water. If you miss a dose you need to take it as soon as you remember, if it is time for your next dose or close to time for your next dose you should take a dose immediately and skip the other dose. Get back on schedule and stay on schedule from then on. Do not take two doses at once, this is unsafe and can cause an overdose which can be fatal.

Complete Treatment

Lopressor is an effective medication but it cannot work alone, it is only one component in a full treatment plan that includes overall health care. Your overall health care plan should include daily activity, diet, weight control, and following your doctor's care. Sticking to your physicians recommendations for medications and exercise as well as dietary changes (if any).

Who Shouldn't Take Lopressor?

If you have had a heart problem including a heart block, a slow heart rate, or a sick sinus syndrome. If you have been diagnosed with:

Circulation problems


Congestive Heart Failure


Asthma


Bronchitis


Liver or Kidney disease


Myasthenia gravis


Pheochromocytoma


Diabetes


Emphysema


Low Blood Pressurev

Depression


Thyroid disorders.

Pregnant women and breast feeding mothers should not take Lopressor. This medication can be passed through mother's milk and can harm the nursing child.

Side Effects

Lopressor can cause hives, facial and tongue swelling as well as difficulty breathing. If you have these, or other serious side effects you should immediately contact your doctor. This medication can impair your ability to react quickly so you should not drive or operate machinery until you know how you are going to react to this drug.

Storage

You should store Lopressor at room temperature, away from heat sources, in a dry area.

Over dose information

In case of an overdose you should contact your physician or emergency medical services. Symptoms of overdose include uneven heart rate, weakness, seizures, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, and bluish fingernails.

Warren has done extensive research on the most widely used blood pressure medications. See which one is best suited to your needs by visiting our Blood Pressure Med Reviews pages

Is Your High Blood Pressure Drug Doing What You Want It To?

Being diagnosed with high blood pressure is not a death sentence. While hypertension is a serious medical condition than can result in heart attack, stroke, or death, you can still live an active lifestyle as long as you follow your doctor's orders. If you doctor has prescribed Lopressor to treat your high blood pressure you will more than likely be prescribed a diuretic.

How Lopressor Works

The drug works by blocking certain chemicals in the body that cause high blood pressure. While mostly prescribed for high blood pressure, it may also be prescribed for other heart problems.

How to Use Lopressor

When prescribed for high blood pressure one of the best benefits of Lopressor versus other hypertension medications is that it works fairly quickly. It is taken long term as part of a comprehensive drug therapy to control hypertension.

Side Effects

The most common side effects are dizziness, fatigue, depression, confusion, and insomnia. These side effects are generally mild and will go away after being on treatment for a while. There have also been reports of digestive disorders like nausea, diarrhea, stomach aches, and heartburn. Be sure to let your doctor know of any side effects you suffer while on drug therapy, as your dosage may need to be adjusted.

Dosage Instructions

As with most hypertension medications, you should try to take Lopressor at the same time every day. Never take two doses at once. If you miss a dose and it's almost time for your next dose then skip the first. You should take it with a full glass of water and continue to drink water in abundance while on therapy. This will help your kidneys work better.

Where to Purchase Lopressor

The medication can be purchased from your local pharmacy or online. If purchased online be sure to purchase it from an authentic site. Never purchase this medication without a prescription from your doctor.

Maryann is an avid researcher of hypertension (high blood pressure) treatments and medications such as Lopressor and runs a successful website dedicated to providing consumers with answers to their hypertension medication questions. For more information on the different types of hypertension medications please visit Maryann's site at hypertensionmedsreview.com

What Else Could My High Blood Pressure Medicine Treat?

What is the purpose of Lopressor pills?

Lopressor pills are prescribed for sometimes surprising conditions. Here are some.

1. To lower high blood pressure

Lopressor is most commonly used to treat high blood pressure. It can be taken on its own, or with other high blood pressure medicines. What Lopressor does is slow down the speed and strength with which the heart beats. Together, these two actions have the effect of reducing the amount of blood the heart pumps out, thus bringing down blood pressure.

And why bother with treating high blood pressure? Especially when it doesn't seem to be causing you any bother now? Because, untreated, it can develop into strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

2. To control angina (chest pain)

Lopressor offers doctors a way to treat angina over a long period of time. When Lopressor slows down the heart and lessens the strength of its contractions, the heart muscles don't work as hard and therefore need less oxygen. Angina comes about when the heart muscle is supplied with too little oxygen. So, in reducing the heart 's need for oxygen, Lopressor makes it harder for angina to happen.

Why would you want angina to go away? Because having angina means you are more likely to develop serious heart damage or have a heart attack.

3. To prevent further heart attacks

Again because it makes the heart work less and need less oxygen, Lopressor offers doctors a way to make heart attacks less likely to recur.

Heart attacks can have a devastating effect on our health and quality of life. They can even be deadly. Which is why it's important to ensure they don't happen again.

4. Irregular heartbeat

In health, the heart beats in an orderly, harmonious rhythm. When this rhythm is disrupted, the heart beats irregularly. Often faster. Also, the force with which the heart beats becomes random - sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. End result, the heart simply can't do its job of pumping blood through the body, properly. By blocking the nerves that speed up heart rate, Lopressor slows the heart down. That's why it's used to treat irregular (rapid) heartbeat.

Although having irregular heartbeats is, itself, not life-threatening, it is often quite alarming for the person experiencing them. It is worthwhile keeping an eye on it as it it can sometimes result in fainting, chest pain or congestive heart failure. But the big risk is having a stroke.

5. To prevent migraines.

Interestingly, Lopressor is often used to prevent migraines! No one is clear how, exactly, Lopressor does this. It was purely by chance that this ability was noticed.

As we know, Lopressor works because it stands in the way of a particular group of nerves. Lots of these nerves lead to the heart , but they also go to the blood vessels and the brain. Perhaps Lopressor affects migraines simply because of that - location.

6. To relieve temporary anxiety.

7. To treat aggressive behaviour. This is rare.

Isabel Rawlings researches and reports on successful strategies for treating high blood pressure, including Lopressor. For side effects you need to be aware of, simple tips on minimising Lopressor side effects, and lots of straightforward answers to your high blood pressure questions, visit Isabel's site at http://www.highbloodpressurereports.com.

A Review of A Very Popular High Blood Pressure Medication

Lopressor is a medication that is mostly prescribed for hypertension (high blood pressure) either alone or in combination with other hypertension medications. While high blood pressure is its most common use it may also be prescribed for the treatment of angina (chest pain) or prescribed for patients who have had a heart attack. It is a beta blocker. It works by reducing the work that your heart has to do as well as the amount of blood that the heart pumps out. By doing this it reduces your blood pressure. It may also be used to stabilize your heart rhythm.

Lopressor may be prescribed in tablet form or injection form. If you are given a prescription for tablets it is important that you take your dose at the same time every day with a full glass of water. DO NOT STOP TAKING Lopressor EXCEPT ON THE ADVICE OF YOUR PHYSICIAN. If you stop taking it abruptly serious adverse reactions may occur.

As with any prescription drug it is very important to tell your healthcare professional of any other medications you are taking as combining these can cause serious side effects. These include not only prescription medications (including eye drops) but over the counter medications and herbal supplements as well. Do not drink while taking Lopressor.

Most common side effects include dizziness, fatigue, depression, mental confusion, insomnia, poor sleep, diarrhea, nausea, stomach aches, heartburn, cold extremities, and palpitations. Even though these side effects are common and usually go away after using Lopressor for a while it is still important to let your doctor know if you experience any of these or notice any health changes while taking Lopressor as your dose may need to be adjusted. It may be a good choice for treating your hypertension but only you and your healthcare provider can decide if it's right for you.

Maryann is an avid researcher of hypertension (high blood pressure) treatments and medications such as Lopressor and runs a successful website dedicated to providing consumers with answers to their hypertension medication questions.

For more information on the different types of hypertension medications please visit Maryann's site at http://www.hypertensionmedsreview.com