Alpha-blockers

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Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

In high blood pressure, the musculature of the arteries is in a state of contracture. alpha-blockers cause the smooth muscles of the arteries, the prostate, and other smooth muscles to relax. One disadvantage of alpha-blockers is that they may not be effective on some prostates. Another disadvantage is that many of the alpha-blockers can cause impotence. If a man has impotence problems with one dmg, it may be possible to switch to a similar dmg that will not have the same undesirable side effects.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

In terms of medical therapy, I recommend starting out with the alpha-blockers. If these don't work you can add one of the 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors like Proscar. Eventually, if the problem gets worse, you may need surgery.

Based on these findings I recommend the use of alpha-blockers [doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), and terazosin (Hytrin) and Flomax] initially, with the addition of Proscar or Duagen, depending on symptom response and side effects. Su? (luiai Options- Surgical interventions are the final resort if medications do not help. The decision to opt for surgical interventions should be made when your level of discomfort and impairment are so great that you feel there is just no other choice in terms of your quality of life.

The other alpha-blockers block adrenergic receptors in both the heart and the brain as well as in the prostate. For this reason they can block the smooth muscles in the blood vessels in these areas and cause the blood vessels to dilate. This changes blood flow to the brain, which is associated with dizziness, fatigue, and the possibility of postural hypotension. Since Flomax is more specific to the adrenergic receptors in the prostate, it has fewer of these side effects.

Based on these findings I believe that there is no role for alpha-blockers in the treatment of patients with hypertension. Another drug that works on adrenergic receptors, clonidine (Catapres), stimulates the alpha-2 norepinephrine receptor, which lowers blood pressure by putting a brake on the norepinephrine (catecholamine) system. Missing a dose or two of clonidine causes sweating, tremor, flushing, and very high blood pressure. It also causes depression and skin reactions. With time, the body adapts to clonidine, and it becomes less effective.

Viagra and nitrates, or alpha-blockers, should not be taken within twenty-four hours of each other. About 120 men per year die after taking Viagra; in most cases the cause can be attributed to a cardiovascular event. Other side effects are headache, flushing, and dyspepsia. An infrequent side effect is an erection that doesn't go away. Another rare complication of Viagra is blindness. This is caused by a condition called nonarteric anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). NAION is caused when a blood vessel is blocked by a blood clot or atherosclerosis.

Since ALLHAT, which I review in more detail on pages 100-101, was not sponsored by a drug company, it did not have to fit into the marketing agenda of any particular company, enabling the investigators to compare different drugs, both old and cheap (diuretics, alpha-blockers, and beta-blockers), and new and expensive (ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers). ALLHAT showed that when compared to diuretics, the alpha-blocker Cardura was twice as likely to cause heart failure and increased the risk of stroke and all cardiovascular disease.

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 4th Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Phyllis A. Balch, CNC See book keywords and concepts

Alpha-blockers such as prazosin (Minipress), terazosin (Hytrin), and doxazosin (Cardura) can be used to reduce the size of an enlarged prostate. Q Engaging in sexual intercourse while the prostate is infected and irritated may further irritate the prostate and delay recovery. Q Some people believe that prostatitis is caused by an inability to process uric acid, a condition that can lead to gout. (See gout in Part Two.) Q Vasectomy for sterilization has been linked to prostate disorders and even cancer.

Disease Prevention and Treatment The Life Extension Editorial Staff See book keywords and concepts

One disadvantage of alpha-blockers is that they may not be effective on some prostates. Another disadvantage is that many of the alpha-blockers can cause impotence. If a man has impotence problems with one dmg, it may be possible to switch to a similar dmg that will not have the same undesirable side effects. Saw Palmetto Extract Alleviates BPH Saw palmetto is a berry that grows on dwarf-type palm trees in Florida and much of the southeastern part of the country. Saw palmetto has been used extensively as a drug in Europe for some time.

Unfortunately, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute stopped one phase of a large hypertension study because alpha-blockers were found less effective (even dangerous) compared to more traditional drugs in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events. The troublesome results surfaced after gathering statistics from the ALLHAT (Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial) study (ALLHAT 2000).

Another disadvantage is that many of the alpha-blockers can cause impotence. If a man has impotence problems with one dmg, it may be possible to switch to a similar dmg that will not have the same undesirable side effects. Saw Palmetto Extract Alleviates BPH Saw palmetto is a berry that grows on dwarf-type palm trees in Florida and much of the southeastern part of the country. Saw palmetto has been used extensively as a drug in Europe for some time. Because of the treatment successes in Europe, it has become very popular in the United States as a dietary supplement.

There are high blood pressure dmgs called alpha-blockers, which act on the nervous system to relax the arteries. Quite often patients with BPH also present with hypertension, or high blood pressure. These dmgs can have an effect on the smooth muscle of the prostate to some extent. Some of the blood pressure drugs used to tteat BPH are Hytrin, Minipress, and Cardura. The prostate is a musculoglandular organ. It is interlaced with smooth muscle much like the tubular musculatute of the arteries. The smooth muscles of the arteries are controlled by the body's nervous system.

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D. See book keywords and concepts

In Italy, plant extracts account for roughly fifty percent of all medications prescribed for BPH, while alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase-inhibitors account for only 5.1 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively.29"31 There are about thirty different plant-based compounds currently available in Europe for the treatment of BPH. At least fifteen of them contain Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) extract. Other popular botanical medicines include Pygeum Africanum, Ur-tica dioca (stinging nettle), and Cemilton, a special flower pollen extract.

Smart Medicine for Healthier Living : Practical A-Z Reference to Natural and Conventional Treatments for Adults Janet Zand, LAc, OMD, Allan N. Spreed, MD, CNC, James B. LaValle, RPh, ND See book keywords and concepts

Once you start taking it, you must take it for life to maintain its effects. ¦ alpha-blockers are drugs that relax the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder, making it easier to urinate. They can also be used in the treatment of high blood pressure. Examples include terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), and prazosin (Minipress). Relief can be expected within two to four weeks. ¦ If BPH causes severe constriction of the urethra, it may be impossible to urinate at all. In such cases, surgery may be necessary to restore function.

They are not generally suitable for use by people with heart-rhythm problems, and should be used with great caution by people with heart failure or liver or kidney disease. ¦ alpha-blockers lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. They may also lower total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Mini-press), and terazosin (Hytrin) are examples of this kind of drug. Possible side effects include dizziness, fatigue, headache, fainting, and nasal congestion. These drugs should be used with caution by pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Textbook of Natural Medicine 2nd Edition Volume 2 Michael T. Murray, ND See book keywords and concepts

In Italy, plant extracts account for roughly 50% of all medications prescribed for BPH, while alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors account for only 5.1 and 4.8%, respectively.29 There are about 30 different plant-based compounds currently available in Europe for the treatment of BPH. At least 15 of them contain Serenoa repens (saw palmetto) extract. Other popular botanical medicines include Pygeum africanum, Urtica dioica (stinging nettles), and Cernilton, a special flower pollen extract.

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