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Suggest Alternative Medication To Reduce The Adrenaline Released Into The System
Question: Hi Doctor
Sometime I have a dull headache over a few days, weird feeling in my chest. Cardiologist says my heart is good, just has some sort of 'click' to the mitral valve.
He has just sent me to do test to check urinary catecholamine levels. I understand that with the fight/flight response, adrenaline is released which can cause vasoconstriction, hence the headache. I do not have stress in my life but I still get the fight/flight response. Panadol does not relieve the headache. Is there a medication or supplement which can reduce the adrenaline pumped into my system or counteract it that I can take, eg, anti-inflammatory ?
Sometime I have a dull headache over a few days, weird feeling in my chest. Cardiologist says my heart is good, just has some sort of 'click' to the mitral valve.
He has just sent me to do test to check urinary catecholamine levels. I understand that with the fight/flight response, adrenaline is released which can cause vasoconstriction, hence the headache. I do not have stress in my life but I still get the fight/flight response. Panadol does not relieve the headache. Is there a medication or supplement which can reduce the adrenaline pumped into my system or counteract it that I can take, eg, anti-inflammatory ?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If your doctor thinks that there is a question of an overactive sympathetic nervous system then the most appropriate drug to counter the effects of the catecholamines would be a drug of the beta blocker group like metoprolol, atenolol etc.
However the description of the pain you provide could very well be a tension type headache. It is the most common type of headache, often related to stress and anxiety. That type of headache responds better to medication with anti-inflammatory over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen. So yes you can use them. The only thing you need to make sure given what your doctor has told you, is that the pain is not related to an increase in blood pressure, so try to make some measurements during the episodes of pain. That is because if high blood pressure is the cause that should be addressed first in order to prevent the pain (beta blockers would be again a valid option for that purpose).
Relaxarion exercises or activities like yoga might also be of help.
I remain at your disposal for other questions
Read below
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
If your doctor thinks that there is a question of an overactive sympathetic nervous system then the most appropriate drug to counter the effects of the catecholamines would be a drug of the beta blocker group like metoprolol, atenolol etc.
However the description of the pain you provide could very well be a tension type headache. It is the most common type of headache, often related to stress and anxiety. That type of headache responds better to medication with anti-inflammatory over the counter painkillers like Ibuprofen. So yes you can use them. The only thing you need to make sure given what your doctor has told you, is that the pain is not related to an increase in blood pressure, so try to make some measurements during the episodes of pain. That is because if high blood pressure is the cause that should be addressed first in order to prevent the pain (beta blockers would be again a valid option for that purpose).
Relaxarion exercises or activities like yoga might also be of help.
I remain at your disposal for other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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