The widely used antidepressant and pain medication amitriptyline–but not other closely related drugs — can impersonate the brain’s own growth factors, researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have shown.

The results are published online and will appear in the June 26 issue of the journal Chemistry & Biology.

onlinepharmacylist.net/36/1/Elavil/”>Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant first introduced in the 1960s, and other tricyclics are thought to exert their effects by increasing the levels of the messenger chemicals serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain.

But the delay required for antidepressants to work has led scientists to the idea that a secondary effect, pushing neurons to survive and grow, must occur indirectly.

The finding that amitriptyline can directly stimulate molecules that help neurons grow and resist toxins suggests a separate mechanism by which some antidepressant and pain relief compounds may function.

Keqiang Ye, PhD, associate professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, and his colleagues were looking for chemicals that could imitate a protein in the brain known as NGF (nerve growth factor).

NGF has been used experimentally to treat Alzheimer’s disease and the degeneration of nerves in the extremities caused by diabetes. However, NGF cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and has puzzled investigators with its side effects, such as increased sensitivity to pain.

Working in Ye’s laboratory, postdoctoral fellow Sung-Wuk Jang sorted through a library of chemicals to find those that could stimulate one of NGF’s “receiver dish” molecules on nerve cells, called TrkA. The way NGF works is to pull together two TrkA molecules on the cell surface.

“We were surprised to find that amitriptyline has these same properties,” Ye says. “This is an antidepressant that has been used for decades.”

Doctors also prescribe amitriptyline for chronic pain such as migraine headaches or the nerve damage caused by diabetes, he notes.

In laboratory tests, amitriptyline could protect neurons from oxygen and glucose deprivation or the toxin kainic acid. Only amitriptyline, and not other antidepressants, could duplicate NGF’s ability to stimulate neurons to send out “neurites,” small projections thought to be the beginnings of connections to other neurons.

Amitriptyline directly binds TrkA and a related molecule called TrkB, the authors found. Amitriptyline could also bring together a mismatched pair of TrkA and TrkB - a phenomenon not seen before, Ye says.

Also surprising was the finding that other tricyclic antidepressants, even those with a similar molecular structure such as imipramine, could not match amitriptyline’s ability to stimulate cells through TrkA.

In a model of antidepressant function called a “forced swim test,” amitriptyline’s effects do not depend on TrkA, because it still works on mice with modified TrkA genes, the authors found.

Recent studies have indicated that the presence of TrkB is necessary for antidepressants to function in mouse models. The relationship between amitriptyline’s ability to directly stimulate TrkA and TrkB and its antidepressant and pain-relief properties needs to be explored further, Ye says.

The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

Reference: S-W Jang, X. Liu, C-B Chan, D. Weinshenker, R.A. Hall, G. Xiao and K. Ye.
Amitriptyline is a TrkA and TrkB receptor agonist that promotes TrkA/TrkB heterdodimerization and has potent neurotrophic activity.
Chemistry and Biology, 16, x-y (2009).

Source:
Holly Korschun
Emory University

The most painful thing about hemorrhoids is the hemorrhoids bowel movement. This may cause blood to show up on the stool and immense amounts of pain. Straining due to constipation or diarrhea is often the cause of hemorrhoids in the first place. So what can you do?

Step 1 - The first thing is to find out what is causing the problem. If the cause is constipation, then many things can be done to help this. First more bran, whole grains, fruit and vegetables should be consumed. Yogurt is also a food that will help with constipation. Avoid drinking sodas and other caffeinated beverages and drink the recommended amount of water.

This will not only help with constipation and diarrhea, it will also help soften the stool in the case of constipation. A soft stool will lessen the pressure placed on the hemorrhoids and make passing stool less painful. Avoid laxative and other unnatural treatments for constipation because they can be harmful and addicting.

Step 2 - If you’ve eliminated the constipation or diarrhea problem and you still have hemorrhoids, you should use some natural cures to help the healing process. Sitz baths, alternating cold and hot compresses, or applying moist heat can help temporarily relieve the pain. Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera, Horse Chestnut, Butcher’s Broom, Venapro, or H miracle will also help.

Natural cures are the most effective ways to cure hemorrhoids. To ensure that they don’t come back the cause should be treated and if the cause is hemorrhoid bowl movement that should be treated first.

Looking for how to quit alcohol should not be the end of the story. Unfortunately, that is where so a lot of  individuals stop. They fail to take ACTION. That is what separates someone  finding out this kind of information and the person that permanently quit alcohol addiction. There is no dearth of information on what you can do to bid booze farewell but if you are not willing to take the necessary action to achieve your goal, you are simply wasting your time. There is need for you to choose between simply reading about how lots of  individuals succeeded and actually doing what is recommended. This article will provide you with  positive tips that you can  employ. But I must  beg you to act on it. Without acting, you have simply wasted your time in reading.

One of the actions you must take to quit alcohol is to  avoid anything that can make you drink. In other words,  avoid gatherings, associations and friends that  typically lead you into drinking. Don’t stop at that. Replace the gatherings, associations and friends with ones that will not lead you into drinking. It is expedient for you to join community or religious associations. These associations will help you shift your attention away from alcohol to worthwhile activities that you and your family will be proud of. Start  finding out these associations around you NOW. Note that I said now. It is basically useless reading about that and not taking action.

Another action you can take to throw in the towel is attending an alcohol addiction treatment center. Let me be frank with you. There are times that your individual will may not be enough in the fight against booze. If you fall too often, then it is time to look for help in a center. Professionals in the center will be able to help you quit without problems. But you must still take action after coming out of the center. I mean you still have to  avoid sources of temptation in order to permanently win the fight.

Life is full of hard problems. Knee pain should not be one of them.

Why Are We Talking To You About This?

The reason why we bring this up is that knee pain or instability should not be one of these problems that you have to deal with... Would you agree? It can be kind of unfair actually. You definitely can make a case for why you do not deserve certain things to happen to you, of which knee pain or instability can be on that list!

You should not have to worry so much about your knee pain problems, or your instability issues because life is just to short! We need to focus primarily on other things that require our attention, but sometimes your knee pain problems can just get in the way. Quite simply, they can hold you down, unless you do something about them.

A Knee Brace For Support, Pain Reduction, & Improved Stability

One of the best conservative methods of dealing with your knee pain problems is to use a low profile, yet well designed knee support. These braces have been called a lot of things by our customers. Among these names, knee braces have been called a “pain killer” & “my new best friend”.

Why would someone go so far as to say these things about a brace?

Due to the extra added support that a quality knee brace can provide, people can instantly feel more stable, and as a result their pain can reduce and they will also feel more mentally stable as well. - Mentally stable you ask? - Yes, when you do not have to worry so much about your knee pain or instability issues, you can focus more on some other “more important” things in your life. Like your work and family.

Do Not Let Knee Pain Stop You

When you have a knee ailment, such as a meniscus tear or a ligament injury it can be really painful. You can try to rest your knee, ice it, or even elevate your knee for pain relief. These all might be effective on some level, but a knee brace is the best overall form of conservative treatment that we can think of for your knee. It will help you maintain proper alignment and due to the other reasons we mentioned above, you can lead a better lifestyle when you do not have to worry so much about your knee.

Medical Advice

This article is informational only. If your physician has medical advice for you, then we recommend that you listen to them. We are not physicians, we are brace professionals.

I am sure that those of you who are currently suffering from hemorrhoids might have asked yourself “what do hemorrhoids look like?” Well this article will do it’s best to describe it as it is difficult for one to check by themselves.

In order to know what they look like, maybe I should briefly clarify exactly what a hemorrhoid is. Hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles on occasion, are tiny tears or ruptures in the blood vessels in and around the anus. What generally happens is that when an individual is constipating (usually caused by a lack of fiber in ones diet), the hard stool being forced out during a bowel movement causes the anus to stretch, thereby tearing the blood vessels lining it and causing the area to bleed.

In terms of answering the original question of “what do hemorrhoids look like?” it is a bit difficult to explain, but ideally, if you have hemorrhoids or think you have hemorrhoids but aren’t one hundred percent sure, then you should have some general knowledge of what they look like. Well most hemorrhoids are reasonably small, about the size of a dime or maybe a nickel. They also sort of look bruised, with a brownish color, which is primarily due to the build up of blood in the area. When wiping after a bowel movement, many report seeing some blood on the toilet paper. The tearing of the blood vessels usually causes this.

Depending on the type of hemorrhoid you have, it can be much easier to see the actual hemorrhoid. For instance, if you were to have an internal hemorrhoid, there would be no way of you seeing or feeling it. However an external hemorrhoid is much easier to see and also to feel. So if you happen to notice any of the above, then you most likely are suffering from a hemorrhoid.

Doctors and other medical practitioners have expressed their concern regarding the availability of over the counter UTI treatment. According to these doctors, antibiotic medications about 10 years ago, could never be bought without the doctor’s prescription.

Today, more than 200 of these drugs are now sold over the counter and they are apprehensive about the possible consequences of the indiscriminate availability of these drugs.

Doctors are concerned that the overuse and misuse of these over the counter UTI treatment will result to bacterial resistance to UTI antibacterial medications.

Eventually, if the urinary tract infection develops into a bladder or kidney infection despite the antibiotic medication they procured from drugstores, then it has finally happened. The sufferer’s body no longer responds to antibiotics because the body has already developed resistance to the bacterial strain.

According to one health expert, the sale of OTC antibiotics for serious infections soared by 800% since FDA approved the medication for over the counter access in 1990. This is said to be a clear indication that there is drug overuse and misuse.

Today, antibacterial resistance is now a global problem. Self medication has become rampant, a lot of patients no longer respond to basic medicines prescribed. This is exactly why, it is important for those who go into self medication to consult their physicians before taking any form of drug treatments.

Urinary tract infections that are in the advanced stages are treated by doctors with antibiotics. However, the doctor has to analyze the patient’s urine by studying the results of the urinalysis.

He will also determine the patient’s personal and medical history including the health habits and lifestyle. Only then will the doctor be able to determine the type of antibiotic to prescribe.

There are even cases when the doctor has to examine x-ray or ultrasound visuals or use a cystoscope to determine if there is a blockage in the urethra. If the doctor is fully satisfied with his analysis and diagnosis, it is only then that any one of the following drugs will be prescribed since he will deem it to be the most appropriate medication to treat the UTI:

Trimethoprim - an antibacterial drug that acts as a prophylaxis as well as medicaton for urinary tract infections.

Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole - used as treatment for UTI caused by any of the following microbes: Escherichia coli, enterobacter species, Morganella morganii, proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella species, and Proteus vulgaris.

Amoxicillin - This drug is said to be treated for class B bacterial infection caused by organisms described as susceptible.

Ampicillin - an antibiotic that is said to inhibit the third and final stage of synthesis that takes place in the cell wall.

Nitrofurantoin - common antibiotic used to treat UTI caused by E coli, although it is not one of the more popular strain being used.

You will probably note from the list above that each antibiotic is different but with similar uses. There are drugs chosen by the doctor as the suitable prescription based on its prophylactic use.

However, only the doctors know this, and we as layman or unlearned about medical jargon and uses, do not have the expertise to understand the real meaning of prophylaxis, other than what we will gather from its dictionary meaning. Neither can we determine, when does it becomes appropriate to take over the counter UTI treatment with prophylactic capacity.

If the body makes contact through either or all of the mouth, skin or nose, the allergen as it is often named makes the body secrete antibodies. These are named histamines and are naturally produced by the body to fight the allergen. The histamine may then however go on to cause one or more of the following annoying symptoms to varying degrees of severity:

Sneezing and possibly a blocked nose, an itchy feeling in the eyes, nose or throat, watery eyes, dry coughing, a skin rash and even conjunctivitis.

Discovery of what the allergen is is particularly important in preventing future problems. This is generally done in one of three different ways:

Firstly, an intradermal test may be performed, This is when a potential allergen is injected into the top layer of the skin. Over that spot an allergic reaction will occur in the form of a bubble or in fact any other type of irritation such as an itch or redness.

Secondly the common patch test can be performed. The substance being tested as the allergen is put under a plaster with direct contact with the skin. A period of 48 hours is commonly allowed to pass by to check for signs of imflammation.

Thirdly, a small droplet of the proposed allergen is placed on to the skin to see if it causes reactions. Normally it would occur within 20 minutes if it is going to do so.

There are a variety of relatively easy things that can be done to prevent allergic reactions. Try any or all of the following simple methods to see which helps ease your symptoms:

Make your-self aware of the content of the food that you are eating. Look out for commonalities between the foods you are eating and the good and bad days that you have. Allergic reactions may well also be caused by chocolate and wheat.

Make use of an air filter which can reduce the impact of air pollutants, especially so in industrial areas.

Experiment by closing all the doors and windows to see if this eases things.

Home dehumidifiers can reduce the moisture in the air and therefore help reduce the spread of dust mites and other allergens. Nowadays there are specifically designed home dehumidifiers and even portable air dehumidifiers that can quickly and easily reduce humidity levels where you feel the need to do so, this will also reduce the risk of mold growth which is well known to produce allergic reactions in some people.

Frequently clean your bed sheets and maybe try a new powder to check this is not the problem.

garlic and onion are commonly suggested by herbalists as an effective treatment as they contain an ingredient called Quercitin which stifles the production of histamine.

Green tea contains large amounts of phytonutrients that prevent cellular level attacks and also has a large dose of anti-oxidants too.

Ensuring you are getting enough calcium may also help some people as this helps equalise the alkaline to acid ratio which may reduce some peoples allergies and furthermore may decrease the production of the histamine.

All of the above methods are simple but could possible save you a good deal of suffering. It is also useful to keep a track of when the reactions are good and bad to try to establish any patterns or reasons why.

If your problems persist then consulting your doctor is the next step to take, they will be able to prescribe appropriate medication if necessary. Consult your doctor for advice as a matter of course. Prescribed medicine may come in the form of nasal sprays which attempt to reduce the inflammation. They could also recommend antihisthamines that can considerably lessen symptoms in many people also.

In summary then, try to pursue some of the simpler mehtods first, record your responses before progressing to any medications. Clean air through the use of air filters and dehumidifiers and portable dehumidifiers should also be looked into as a serious option.

Allergies are both annoying, costly and at times embarrassing, so here are some ways in which you are able to limit the affect of allergic reactions on your life:

Lets’ start really simple. Frequently clean and vacuum your living and work areas. Sometimes cleaning can irritate particular allergies but make sure that you do clean your house frequently because in the long run it will definetely reduce ther allergens present. Having a vacuum cleaner that contains a built in air filter would be wise too. Once you finish cleaning you may like to leave the house to let the dust settle. Dusting along with vacuuming also helps reduce the number of dust mites in your house.

Pay attention to how much time you spend mixing with pets and animals. If your pet is your best friend then try as a minimum to keep it out of your bedroom as this would be a considerable risk factor. Clearly keep to a mimimum the time you spend with animals and also their saliva, fur, dead skin and so on.

Make sure you try to reduce the moisture level in your house. By lowering humidity levels in the bathroom and kitchen you can reduce greatly the chances of mold forming. Using a home dehumidifier is highly recommended (ebac dehumidifiers and delonghi dehumidifiers come highly recommended). Also clean surface areas with a gentle disenfectant frequently and check that there are no pipes that leak in your household.

If you have ever seen pollen on the surface of your window sill or frame then of course you would be wise to keep windows firmly shut. Try to have your aircon running instead and use one that has an easily cleaned and changeable filter.

Ensure that you check your chosen destination for the local areas pollen count in advance. If it is due to be high then try to avoid being outside for extended periods between 10am and 4pm when it is at its highest. When driving ensure that the windows are firmly closed.

During periods of high wind and humidity you may prefer to stay inside as these are times when pollen and dust levels are at their highest. Try travelling outside of the peak times mentioned also as this will help avoid poorer air quality. You may even wish to consider wearing a face mask if you really suffer a great deal. After getting home from a day out take a shower soon to get rid of dust and pollen that might have gathered on your skin.

When planning a holiday ensure that you also look up the pollen level at the destination and be especially aware that you may might need to take special care when going to tropical places. Due to excess moisture these may then have raised levels of mold spores.

Plenty of suffering can be avoided by simlpy adhering to thes very simple guidelines.

Magnets have been popular for a minimum of 20 years in our culture as a way to cure body aches. Magnets are thought to cure back pain and depression. Magnets have been such a popular pain cure that we can find many writings in magazines and on television. In this text we explore deeper to find out if magnets are truly a pain remedy, and how magnets work.

Though we have understood about magnets for these short years the employment of magnets as a pain cure, goes from ancient Greece. People were utilizing magnetic remedy at that time in the same way, and getting great effects. In fact, people believe so wholeheartedly in magnetic cures that they now make up a $5 billion dollar industry.

For many people, the one reason that they can believe in anything such as this is if it has science validification, but not everything can be put into a test tube. Although many studies have looked at this process most have been inconclusive as to whether magnets work as a pain cure.

The University of Virginia Study

As people continue to research, the University of Virginia has found conclusive evidence that magnets can at least increase the flow of blood and provide more oxygen to damaged tissue.

They found that by just using a small magnetic field, they could ramp up blood flow — at least in rats. Researchers are hoping to begin human tests soon.

Magnets and Inflammation

A lot of folk say that magnet cures can help with swelling of joints and skin. If this is so then people can recover from injury faster. At least this is the conclusion of the Virginia studyas they showed that magnets can assist in situations that are prone to swelling. consumers who see magnets as a pain cure experience less swelling in their legs hands or joints when they have arthritis.

It’s importance in Curing Foot Pain

Plantar fasciitis exercise is critical to reduce the inflammation caused by plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is caused by small tears in the plantar fascia on the bottom of the foot causing significant heel and arch pain. As the inflammation develops, the tissues begin to shorten. Each time you take a step, they are forced to stretch beyond their ability causing the small tears. This leads to a self-feeding loop of inflammation and tissue damage without any relief in sight which is why fasciitis exercise is critical. The most beneficial form of exercise is stretching.

If you are like me, you know that waking up every morning being afraid of the foot pain you will go through during the day is not a great way to spend your life. When I first started fasciitis exercise I really didn’t want to spend my day stretching. I’ve always been a rather inflexible person and just didn’t have the time to commit to it. Thankfully it only takes a few minutes a day.

Fasciitis exercise should be worked into slowly. You do not want to further damage the plantar fascia by over stressing that tissue. Stretching too far too fast will lead to more pain, prolonging recovery. Stretching alone is typically not enough to solve heel and arch pain. Stretching will only help reduce the effects of the inflammation but will not stop the cause of the inflammation. For that you will need to treat the mechanical problem that is occurring with each step.

Eliminating?my pain?has literally changed my life. I can play with my kids again, and actually make it through a work day without sneaking off to the restroom to massage my throbbing feet I never knew what a great gift it was to live without foot pain, but let me tell you… I wouldn’t trade it for the world.