Often we are faced with poor health and try to understand what is the cause of this condition. And when many laboratory and instrumental tests have already been carried out and nothing has been found, we think: “What could this be connected with? Because I really feel bad.” If there are no organ damage, it’s time to consult a neurologist. Autonomic dystonia syndrome, autonomic failure, autonomic crises are neurological diseases that we will touch on in this article.
Content:
- Amphetamines: general description 1.1. Effect on the body
- Consequences of amphetamine abuse
- Methamphetamine for weight loss: pros and cons
Like many other modern synthetic drugs, amphetamine and its chemical analogue methamphetamine were synthesized for use in medical practice. Initially, various drugs based on this psychostimulant were used in the US Army to increase the endurance of military personnel. At the same time, the effect of methamphetamine on weight was also noted. Accelerating metabolic processes and suppressing appetite made it possible to quickly and effectively cope with obesity. But a few years later, drugs of this class were officially banned due to numerous complications, one of which was the development of drug addiction. But the risk of such serious consequences does not stop many in the pursuit of an ideal body, and they are ready to purchase methamphetamine illegally for weight loss in order to get rid of such hated extra pounds. But how feasible and safe is this method of weight loss? Is there an effective alternative?
Treatment
Treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome is carried out by a neurologist. It is intended to eliminate symptoms and improve performance. The doctor prepares an individual course for the patient, based on his complaints. With the help of medications, nervous tension or pain is relieved. The patient is prescribed vitamins and microelements.
The patient is recommended to cure all chronic pathologies. He must strictly observe the work and rest schedule and adhere to a nutritious diet. The patient is undergoing psychotherapy. He is recommended to engage in swimming and physical therapy. It is necessary to give up bad habits.
Treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome takes a long time. The patient must be patient and strictly follow all the doctor’s recommendations.
Amphetamines: general description
“Classical” amphetamines are ephedrine compounds that are obtained from plant materials.
The most common is methamphetamine, better known as "meth" or "ice." For more than half a century, the distribution and production of these substances has been prosecuted by law, however, in pharmacies you can still purchase various medications without a prescription, which contain compounds similar in chemical structure and pharmacological action. As a result, the illegal production of “meth” is “thriving” in the criminal environment. “Manufacturers” use not only medicines, but also plant materials and other, often very toxic, impurities. Therefore, methamphetamine for weight loss has nothing in common with drugs produced legally by pharmaceutical companies. The exact composition of the products offered under various, sometimes very tempting names is often not known even to the seller, so taking such “dietary supplements” can have a completely unpredictable effect.
Effect on the body
Amphetamines are classified as psychostimulants. They enhance the activity of neuroreceptors in the brain, bronchial smooth muscles, vascular endothelium, and heart muscle. In addition, these substances enhance and prolong the effect and stimulate the release of norepinephrine. Due to this, methamphetamine increases the metabolic rate and the activity of the central nervous system, while simultaneously inhibiting the functions of the digestive organs. After using the drug, a person feels a surge of strength, vigor, energy, even prolonged mental and physical stress does not cause fatigue.
The need for sleep decreases, while there is no drowsiness and feeling of weakness, blood pressure increases, and the heartbeat accelerates. At the same time, peristalsis slows down, the tone of the intestinal muscles decreases, and the secretory activity of the digestive glands decreases, so a person practically does not feel hunger.
What is VSD
Vegetovascular dystonia (VSD), or neurocirculatory syndrome, is a functional disorder of the autonomic nervous system, in which a complex of symptoms appears that are not characteristic of a specific disease. Examination of patients with suspected VSD most often does not reveal changes in the structure of internal organs, but may show deviations in their function at the border of normal.
Autonomic dysfunction cannot be called a full-fledged disease; this diagnosis is not included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). But therapists, cardiologists and neurologists continue to make this diagnosis to patients in whom the examination did not reveal any disorders, and complaints of poor health continue.
It is believed that manifestations of pathology arise due to disturbances in the coordination of the two structures of the autonomic nervous system. It consists of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, which differ in their effects on the body. The activator of sympathy is the hormone adrenaline, so it performs the following functions:
- increases the number of heart contractions;
- increases blood pressure;
- stimulates the release of glucose into the blood;
- dilates the arteries of the brain, lungs and heart;
- reduces saliva secretion;
- suppresses peristalsis of the digestive tract;
- dilates the bronchi and enhances gas exchange;
- enlarges pupils;
- causes spasm of the sphincters of the bladder and digestive tract.
These reactions are necessary to protect the body in a dangerous situation, to activate it to escape. The parasympathetic nervous system works in the opposite direction. It reduces blood pressure, accelerates peristalsis of the intestines and urinary organs, and constricts the pupils and bronchi. The parasympathetic activator is the substance acetylcholine. It slows down the heartbeat, reduces blood glucose levels and relaxes all the sphincters in the body.
Autonomic dystonia occurs when the sympathetic or parasympathetic system is activated spontaneously, for no apparent reason. Therefore, a person suddenly has an increased heartbeat while at rest, his blood pressure rises, and he is worried about anxiety.
But often vegetative-vascular dystonia is a precursor to serious diseases. Having arisen at a young age without treatment, after a few years it leads to the formation of arterial hypertension, heart disease, digestive tract and hormonal disorders.
Consequences of amphetamine abuse
Amphetamine for weight loss owes its popularity to its rapid effect. Without any effort or grueling training, the extra pounds and centimeters melted away literally before our eyes. The result is noticeable within a week of taking the “magic” remedy. But at the same time, often unnoticed by the “losing weight” person, addiction develops, and the absence of the next dose is accompanied at first by not so pronounced discomfort. It can be:
- internal restlessness and anxiety;
- emotional stress;
- chills;
- attacks of irritability;
- sweating;
- tachycardia.
But after taking the next pill, all the symptoms go away, and gradually the process of losing weight turns into a kind of “race”: dose - abstinence - dose. At the same time, to achieve the desired effect, an increasing amount of psychostimulant is required.
As addiction progresses, attempts to quit using methamphetamine for weight loss are accompanied by much more severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal syndrome is characterized by the following symptoms:
- tremor, spasms of facial muscles;
- arrhythmia, breathing disorders, shortness of breath, which is often accompanied by a distinct feeling of lack of air and suffocation;
- systemic pain syndrome;
- increased sensitivity to light and sounds;
- insomnia.
Both during the period of abstinence and during acute intoxication, there is a risk of developing psychosis with vivid, realistic hallucinations, an uncontrollable feeling of fear, and the need to run somewhere to escape serious danger.
Diagnostics
Patients are diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome based on characteristic complaints. They must meet the following criteria:
- presence of severe fatigue for more than six months;
- the condition does not improve after a long rest;
- There are no somatic or mental diseases that can be considered the cause of asthenia.
There are also minor criteria that may be present in a patient with chronic asthenia. These include the following:
- temperature rise to 38.5 °C;
- pharyngitis;
- increased pain in the lymph nodes;
- muscle pain;
- general weakness;
- severe headaches;
- low exercise tolerance;
- joint pain without signs of inflammation;
- sleep disturbance;
- psycho-emotional disorders: depression, loss of memory and attention.
The disease often has a sudden onset. The diagnosis is made when the patient has two major and four minor criteria.
Methamphetamine for weight loss: pros and cons
Some supporters of this “simple” way to lose weight are convinced that there will be no consequences if you take amphetamine for weight loss in small doses. But the main danger of this psychostimulant is that it very quickly causes addiction, “overtaking” many other drugs in this regard.
In addition, constant artificial stimulation of the heart and “stimulation” of the central nervous system leads to very sad consequences. The vast majority of addicts who use amphetamines are diagnosed with severe heart failure, and there are frequent cases of heart attacks and strokes due to hypertension and circulatory disorders. The suppression of the gastrointestinal tract is also not in vain. There is a high probability of developing gastritis, colitis, pancreatitis.
Complications from the nervous system and psyche are very dangerous, which, even with successful treatment of addiction, can persist for several years, and sometimes throughout life. The person suffers from severe depression and is prone to suicide. Obsessive-compulsive, paranoid, and delusional disorders often develop.
Indeed, methamphetamine for weight loss is really effective and allows you to lose weight in the shortest possible time. But at what cost? Often, for every kilogram you have to pay with mental and physical health, years of recovery treatment and rehabilitation. This is why doctors urge you not to look for magical and quick ways to lose weight - they simply do not exist! The only safe way to control weight is a rational diet rich in all essential vitamins and sports!
Autonomic failure
Autonomic failure is a syndrome associated with impaired innervation of internal organs, blood vessels and endo- and exocrine glands.
In most cases, it is a progressive autonomic failure. In turn, MNV includes primary violations:
- idiopathic orthostatic hypotension;
- some hereditary and acquired diseases of the nervous system (multiple system atrophy, hereditary sensory-vegetative polyneuropathy)
Secondary violations include:
- for endocrine system disorders (diabetes mellitus, thyroid disease);
- for systemic and autoimmune diseases;
- for metabolic disorders;
- with paraneoplastic syndrome;
- for infectious diseases (HIV, leprosy, herpetic infections, etc.).
Various symptoms may occur:
- from the cardiovascular system: tachycardia at rest, orthostatic fainting, arterial hypertension in the supine position;
- from the respiratory system: sleep apnea, involuntary attacks of suffocation;
- from sweating: hypo- and anhidrosis, increased sweating;
- from the gastrointestinal tract: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, anorexia;
- from the urinary system: urinary disorders, erectile dysfunction.
Diagnosis of this disease is carried out by physical examination, checking neurological status and drug tests.