Vasodilation can also aid drug treatments by increasing the amount of the drug delivered to a target. Focused ultrasound can create a pressure change at a precise location, triggering the endothelium of targeted blood vessels to release nitric oxide, the chemical signal that causes smooth muscle relaxation and the dilation of blood vessels 1. This is a reversible process, and blood vessels revert to their original size shortly after the end of the focused ultrasound treatment with no permanent damage to targeted tissue 1,2.
Thermal effects are minimal when pulsed focused ultrasound is used, however, local hyperthermia will also cause localized vasodilation. Certain drugs have been shown to more easily diffuse across dilated vessels, increasing the bioavailability of these drugs in surrounding tissues. Furthermore, dilated blood vessels carry a larger volume of blood, potentially providing a further increase in the amount of drugs absorbed by tissue 3.
By using focused ultrasound to noninvasively induce local vasodilation, the delivery of drugs to targeted tissues could be enhanced without causing permanent damage to blood vessels. Whelton PK, et al. IBM Micromedex. See also Medication-free hypertension control 6 surprising signs you may have obstructive sleep apnea After a flood, are food and medicines safe to use? Alcohol: Does it affect blood pressure? Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise?
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Do you know your blood pressure? Does obstructive sleep apnea increase my risk for Alzheimer's disease? It helps to direct a higher flow of blood toward your skin in order to keep your core body temperature at a normal level. Your body initially responds to this lack of oxygen through vasodilation, allowing more blood flow to your tissues.
However, this is then followed by vasoconstriction. The accompanying vasoconstriction can lead to an increase in blood pressure as well as buildup of fluid in tissues such as the lungs. This condition is called high-altitude pulmonary edema and can be life-threatening. The condition may be treated with vasodilator drugs or supplemental oxygen. Increasing age is associated with a decrease in function of blood vessels, including vasodilation. This can contribute to the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart disease and stroke.
In an obese individual, blood vessels are more resistant to vasodilation, which can lead to cardiovascular issues. Weight loss can help to alleviate the dysfunction in vasodilation. Vasodilator drugs are medications that can cause vasodilation. Many can act directly on the smooth muscle found in the walls of blood vessels. Others can act on the part of the nervous system that regulates vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Because vasodilation lowers blood pressure, doctors often prescribe vasodilators for conditions such as high blood pressure or heart failure.
Some vasodilators are strong medications and can cause side effects such as fast heartbeat, fluid retention, and flushing. It helps treat erectile dysfunction by affecting the biological pathways that lead to vasodilation of the smooth muscle. This leads to an increase in blood flow to the penis. A secondary use for Viagra is treating some forms of high blood pressure. Vasoconstriction is the opposite of vasodilation. While vasodilation is the widening of your blood vessels, vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels.
Your blood pressure also rises. Vasodilation occurs naturally in your body in response to triggers such as low oxygen levels, a decrease in available nutrients, and increases in temperature.
It causes the widening of your blood vessels, which in turn increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Blood vessels contain receptors called baroreceptors. These constantly monitor blood pressure and trigger vasoconstriction or vasodilation as needed. As a person ages, their baroreceptors become less sensitive. This can reduce their ability to maintain steady blood pressure levels. Blood vessels also become stiffer and less elastic with age.
This makes them less able to constrict and dilate as needed. The air at high altitudes contains less available oxygen.
A person at high altitude will therefore experience vasodilation as their body attempts to maintain oxygen supply to its cells and tissues. Although vasodilation decreases blood pressure in major blood vessels, it can increase blood pressure in smaller blood vessels called capillaries. This is because capillaries do not dilate in response to increased blood flow.
Increased blood pressure within the capillaries of the brain can cause fluid to leak into surrounding brain tissue. This results in localized swelling, or edema. Medical professionals refer to this condition as high-altitude cerebral edema HACE.
People at high altitudes may also experience vasoconstriction within the lungs. This can cause a buildup of fluid within the lungs, which medical professionals refer to as high-altitude pulmonary edema HAPE. In some cases, a doctor may induce vasodilation as a treatment for certain conditions. In other cases, vasodilation may be what requires treatment. Vasodilators are medications that cause the blood vessels to widen. Doctors may use these drugs to reduce blood pressure and ease any strain on the heart muscle.
There are two types of vasodilator: drugs that work directly on the smooth muscle, such as that in the blood vessels and heart, and drugs that stimulate the nervous system to trigger vasodilation. The type of vasodilator a person receives will depend on the condition they have that needs treatment. Vasodilation is an important mechanism. However, it can sometimes be problematic for people who experience hypotension or chronic inflammation.
People with either of these conditions may require medications called vasoconstrictors.
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