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In Depth

Seniors and Drugs

Glossary

Dec. 10, 2005

Acetylcholine
A chemical produced at many nerve endings in the body, and receptors which bind acetylcholine are called cholinergic receptors. (see cholinergic and anticholinergic)

Anticholinergic
Anticholinergic drugs inhibit receptors for acetylcholine in the brain (causing problems with memory and confusion), and nerves in other parts of the body (leading to problems with bowel, bladder function, heart rate, blood pressure, and problems with secretions such as dry mouth and reduced sweating) (see cholinergic).

Antidopaminergic
Reducing the activity of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with memory, controlling movement, and problem solving. Many antipsychotic drugs have antidopaminergic properties.

Arrhythmia
An alteration in the heart's rhythm.

Aspiration
When secretions or foreign material such as food enter the trachea and lungs.

Ataxia
An uncoordinated manner of walking.

Bradycardia
Slow heart rate.

Cholinergic
Acetylcholine is a chemical produced at many nerve endings in the body, and receptors which bind acetylcholine are called cholinergic receptors. Cholinergic nerves regulate heart rate, blood pressure, digestive processes, bowel and bladder function, memory, alertness, eye pressure and muscle function. Drugs that block these nerves (see anticholinergic) can alter these bodily functions.

COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, is typically characterized by shortness of breath, cough and difficulty exhaling.

Dopamine
A chemical produced at some nerve connections in the brain.

Extrapyramidal
The extrapyramidal system of nerves, located in the brain, helps to coordinate many of the body's movements.

Extrapyramidal symptoms
A common side-effect of many antipsychotic and some antinausea drugs that block dopamine. These include problems with walking, tremor, rigidity, and abnormal muscle movements.

GI
Refers to gastrointestinal. The GI tract is the collection of organs that take in and digest food, extract the nutrients and then excrete the waste.

INR value
International normalized ratio value is a measure used to determine the clotting tendency of blood.

Inotropic
Relates to the force of muscular contractions. An inotropic heart drug affects the force of the heart's contractions.

Hypertension
High blood pressure

Hypotension
Low blood pressure

MAOI
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors are a class of antidepressant drugs

Neuroleptics
Another name for antipsychotic drugs that often act by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain.

Orthostatic
Relating to an erect posture. Orthostatic hypotension is low blood pressure caused by standing up.

Polyuria
Excessive urine secretion.

QT interval
A measure of conduction in the heart, from when the ventricles begin to contract, to when they are re-polarized.

Serotonin
A chemical produced at many nerve endings in the brain.

SIADH
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion refers to excessive release of a compound (antidiuretic hormone) from the pituitary gland that alters the body's salt/water balance, often leading to low sodium levels in the blood. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache and malaise. It can lead to confusion or coma.

SSRI
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are a class of antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs that act by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain's nerve connections.

Sympathomimetics
A class of drugs that mimics stimulatation of the sympathetic nervous system. Such drugs will increase heart rates, raise blood pressure and dilate pupils and airways. The sympathetic nervous system helps the body to react to stressful situations.

Syncope
Fainting, a temporary loss of consciousness.

Torsades de pointes
A potentially fatal heart rhythm characterized by rapid contraction of the ventricles. It can occur in patients with a long QT interval. (see QT interval)

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