What is insomnia and what causes it? Share Your Story Insomnia is difficulty falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep. Insomnia is a symptom and not a disease. The most common causes of insomnia are: medications, psychological conditions (for example, depression, anxiety), environmental changes (travel, jet lag, or …
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Locked-in syndrome facts Locked-in syndrome occurs when a person is quadriplegic and also has no way to produce speech or facial movements. The affected person cannot communicate but is aware of their surroundings; the patient can hear and see and has normal intelligence and reasoning ability but may only communicate with eye movements. The main causes of locked-in syndrome are …
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Vagus (vagal) nerve stimulation (VNS) definition and facts The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve that supplies motor (muscle) nerve fibers to the throat, larynx, trachea, lungs, heart, esophagus and intestinal tract; it also sends sensory information back to the brain from the ear, tongue, pharynx and larynx. There are two vagus nerves on each side of your body …
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Ativan vs. Valium comparison Ativan (lorazepam) and Valium (diazepam) are both members of the benzodiazepine family of drugs used mainly to treat anxiety and other psychiatric disorders. Researchers believe both Ativan and Valium – like other members of the benzodiazepine group – work by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter that helps inhibit excess brain activity. Excessive activity of nerves in the brain …
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What is Dilaudid, and how does it work? Hydromorphone hydrochloride (HCI) is an opioid narcotic pain reliever similar to oxycodone, morphine, methadone, fentanyl, and other opioids. Hydromorphone, like other opioids, stimulates receptors on nerves in the brain to increase the threshold to pain (increasing the amount of stimulation it takes to feel pain) and reduce the perception of pain (the perceived …
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Hydrocodone vs. hydromorphone differences Hydrocodone (Zohydro ER) and hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Dilaudid-5, Dilaudid-HP Injection, Exalgo) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both hydrocodone and hydromorphone are similar and include lightheadedness, dizziness, sedation, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Hydrocodone may also cause drowsiness and difficulty urinating. Hydromorphone may cause side effects …
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What is omeprazole, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Omeprazole is in a class of drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPI) that block the production of acid by the stomach. Other drugs in the class include lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium). Proton pump inhibitors are used for the treatment of conditions such as ulcers, …
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What is Vicodin, and how does it work (mechanism of action)? Hydrocodone is a narcotic pain-reliever and a cough suppressant, similar to codeine. Hydrocodone blocks the receptors on nerve cells in the brain that give rise to the sensation of pain. Acetaminophen is a non-narcotic analgesic (pain reliever) and antipyretic (fever reducer). Acetaminophen works by elevating the threshold to pain, …
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What are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol is a beta blocker (beta-adrenergic blocking agent) used for the treatment of: High blood pressure Heart pain Congestive heart failure Hyperthyroidism Abnormal heart rhythms Some neurologic conditions. Metoprolol's off-label use is to prevent migraine headaches. Why are the uses for metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)? Metoprolol is used to treat: High …
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Dilaudid vs. Percocet quick comparison Dilaudid (hydromorphone hydrochloride) and Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) are both opioid narcotic pain relievers. Percocet has an additional non-narcotic pain reliever added (acetaminophen) which achieves greater pain relief than either drug taken separately. Both Dilaudid and Percocet are available as generic drugs. Side effects of both Dilaudid and Percocet are similar and include lightheadedness, dizziness, …
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