A Solution to Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a heavy burden for anyone to bear. Being in severe pain constantly can cause many adverse effects in your daily life, making you unable to do things you could before or causing you to spend entire days in bed. Because many people suffer from chronic pain there have been some profound advancements in pain medication. The primary medications used for pain management are typically opioids such as codeine, morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone. But there are many adverse effects of these drugs so doctors have been looking for alternative pain management solutions.

One of the major reasons why doctors are trying to avoid using opioids is due to their addictive qualities. Being made from the same substances as heroin, opioid addiction in the US has been growing at an alarming rate. These drugs also have negative effects on the user’s body and pose a risk to the liver in particular. Another problem is that long term opioid use causes patients to build a tolerance which then requires them to take more opioids in order to achieve the same effect. This can be very dangerous as many people wind up overdosing on opioids even after having taken them for a considerable amount of time.

In the search for alternative pain management therapies the name ketamine comes up rather frequently. Because ketamine is an anesthetic it has properties which can allow it to be used as a pain killer in small doses. By blocking specific pain receivers in the brain it can achieve the same effect as opioids without running the same level of risk. The side effects of ketamine treatment are typically far less severe than those of opioids which is leading many doctors to consider this drug as a reasonable alternative. The last thing a doctor wants is for their patient to become addicted to their medication and ketamine has proven to be far less addictive as well. All these factors seem to indicate that ketamine is perhaps a safer and more effective pain management medication than its narcotic counterpart.

Being used in hospitals since the 1960s, ketamine has grown to be a widely accepted anesthetic known for its mild side effects and relatively low toxicity. Patients who undergo treatment involving anesthesia in the US are typically given ketamine, meaning you’ve probably had it before. Because of its already widespread usage in hospitals it’s clear why doctors are now using it for pain management as well.

If you’re looking for a non-addictive form of pain management you may want to look into ketamine infusions. By administering ketamine through an IV drip, a nurse anesthetist can provide you with the proper dosage to help ease your pain while simultaneously keeping tabs on your usage to avoid any form of potential misuse. Always consult your doctor first to ensure that you’re doing the right thing for your body though. Because taking care of your body is tantamount to treating your pain.

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Why Use A CRNA When Receiving Ketamine Infused Treatments?

In the field of medicine specializations are vitally important. Because of how much information we have about the various workings of the body it’s impossible for one nurse to be fully knowledgeable about every aspect. That’s why when you have a serious sinus infection for example, your family doctor will refer you to an ENT. These specialists are experts in their particular field so they’re always more capable of solving problems within their specialization.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, or CRNA’s, are specialists in the field of administering anesthetics. They are highly educated in pharmacology, biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, which allows them to deliver these types of drugs safely and effectively. Because ketamine is an anesthetic it is advantageous to have it administered by a CRNA as they will provide the best care given their expertise. Each patient is different and a CRNA knows that and knows how these differences will affect a patient’s experience with a drug. Performing individual patient evaluations is just one step which allows them to ensure the highest quality treatment. They are also trained in preventing complications and managing them if they do occur. In the event of an emergency during a ketamine treatment a CRNA is the most qualified professional to respond as they can provide airway management, emergency drugs or cardiac life support techniques when necessary, and they will always know if and when each are necessary. After an anesthetic treatment patients are often still under the influence of the drugs and a CRNA is also specialized in caring for patients in this state. They will provide a post-anesthesia follow-up and care, and they know about the side effects to ensure that the patient is safe and healthy afterwards.

Although safety is a very important factor in any medical procedure, effectiveness is also very important and a CRNA is educated and trained to use the most effective methods possible for treating their patients. For ketamine treatment this often means intravenous infusion as it is much faster and more potent when absorbed this way. Bioavailability is a measure used by medical specialists to determine the dosage of unchanged drug which actually enters your system. While intranasal may be a simpler method which doesn’t require a specialist, it is much less potent than intravenous which bolsters 100% bioavailability. This is because some of the drug is left inside the nasal passage and isn’t fully absorbed, and the drug that is absorbed has its concentration reduced when metabolized. With intravenous infusion the drug passes directly into circulation and bypasses metabolism.

As we can see having a specialist administer a ketamine infusion is greatly beneficial. The degree of professionalism and education, additional safety assurances and more effective administration all accumulate into a far better experience for the patient. The Ketamine Specialists of Texas only employ CRNA’s to administer ketamine infused treatment for depression to ensure patient safety and satisfaction. The result is a more effective, positive and helpful experience for patients.

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Houston Job Loss and Depression

Over the past year Houston has seen an enormous amount of job loss. Most of this has been due to the downturn in the oil industry and decline in crude prices. Because of how much this industry contributes to employment in Texas the amount of jobs that have been eliminated is staggering. The number of operational oil and gas rigs has declined by over 70% since 2014, causing nearly 100,000 people to lose their jobs. Many are feeling abandoned and hopeless, unsure of what to do next.

Houston’s unemployment is currently at around 5.5% which is higher than the national average and that number continues to rise. While that doesn’t seem like a large amount, if you’re part of that 5.5% then you know how crippling and difficult it is. Often times these feelings manifest into depression. While Texas has one of the lowest reported cases of depression per capita, there has been an upswing which follows the downswing in the oil industry. It’s quite obvious why, as unemployment offices are filled and alternative jobs are becoming scarce for jobseekers, people are worried about whether or not they can sustain their way of life.

If you’ve recently lost your job you may be struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. This is overwhelming and stressful, leading you to feel even more bogged down. It’s a vicious cycle, the worse it gets, the worse you feel, the less you feel you can do. Once this cycle spins out of control it can be hard to get back on track. Don’t worry if this sounds familiar to you, there is a way to reverse it and get your life back.

The most important thing is to keep yourself psychologically healthy. By doing this you’ll feel more capable of accomplishing your goals and you’ll have more energy. This is easier said than done of course, but if you find yourself struggling to have a positive outlook then it’s a good idea to seek help. A therapist can direct you to resources and strategies which can help break that vicious cycle and get you back on your feet. Just speaking with a professional can help reverse your outlook and a positive outlook can be enough to propel yourself forward.

Depression can make job loss seem like a drop in the bucket. It can overturn your life and stop you from being able to get anything done. But the economy and the job market will always be there, for better or for worse, and no matter how down you feel you can always get yourself back out there. Sometimes it just takes a single step to make a difference.

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Ketamine and Depression

Major depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in the US. It’s estimated to effect around 6 – 7% of the population over the age of 18 with ranging severities. For many, the standard treatments such as antidepressants are effective and long term therapy helps. But there is still a minority of patients who don’t respond to standard treatments. Although many doctors study treatment resistant depression its causes are still somewhat unknown. Managing it however has been made possible through alternative therapies such as ketamine.

First synthesized in 1962, ketamine is an anesthetic which is commonly used in operations for children or even as a sedative in hospital emergency rooms. Its widespread use as well as its relatively mild side effects have made the World Health Organization list it as an essential medicine. Upon FDA approval in 1970, ketamine was first used to treat soldiers in the Vietnam war but quickly became available in many hospitals. Doctors to this day are still researching it and its potential uses.

Over the past decade it has been discovered that ketamine may be an alternative for those suffering with treatment resistant depression. It has been effective in reducing suicidal thoughts in emergency room patients, allowing them to be released to outpatient therapy. In depressed patients the outcome has also been positive with many experiencing almost immediate relief that can last from days to weeks. But how can an anesthetic treat depression? Well, perhaps it’s not the anesthetic that’s doing it.

It appears that the answer may be in its metabolism rather than the drug itself. When we consume any substance our body breaks it down into metabolites which are tiny molecules used for things such as fuel. Ketamine antagonizes a specific neuron receptor which is what causes its anesthetic and psychedelic effect. Its metabolite however has been found to promote a different neuron receptor. The promotion of this receptor is what has had profound results in depressed patients.

Ketamine treatment is done by IV infusion in very small doses. It is administered by professional anesthesiologists or a Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) who are knowledgeable about the medicine and its effects. Side effects of ketamine can include dizziness, disorientation and fuzzy vision so it’s important to have its doses regulated safely by an expert. In the further interest of safety patients are restricted from driving or operating heavy machinery within 24 hours of treatment and pick-ups are often arranged with family members after each session.

While ketamine can be a very effective treatment it is important to recognize that depression must be treated from multiple angles. Depression is caused by various biological, psychological, social and environmental factors and all factors must be addressed. Because of this, ketamine treatment is often used to enhance the effectiveness of other treatments. But if you’ve struggled with battling depression and keep finding yourself at a loss, know that there are alternatives. You’re not alone in this battle and there are plenty of professionals who know how to help.

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What is Depression?

It could start with a simple stomachache. But over time other signs start to appear. Maybe it’s becoming difficult to get to work on time. Things you enjoy have somehow lost their luster. Maybe you’re ruminating over something negative. Depression appears in many ways and because of its wide range of symptoms many people live with it for some time before they realize something is amiss. Even once diagnosed it isn’t always clear. Labelling it makes it easier to explain to others but it can still be difficult to explain to ourselves. So what is depression?

Depression causes the worst feelings imaginable. Feeling that you’re not good enough, that you’re stuck and can’t escape. Feeling that nothing is worthwhile or enjoyable. It can make you lethargic, unable to sleep, lose your appetite or over-eat. With all these symptoms it may be a wonder how it’s diagnosed. But there’s more going on than we can see.

The brain is very complicated but several discoveries have allowed doctors to analyze what’s happening in the brain of a depressed patient. It’s not straightforward as it’s largely caused by a combination of factors. To better understand these factors let’s take a look at how the brain works.

Our brains are made up of a network of nerve cells called neurons. Neurons take in stimuli and then communicate it throughout the network to function cohesively. This communication process is called neurotransmission. A neuron releases a chemical signal called a neurotransmitter which attaches to another neuron, relaying a message based on the type of neurotransmitter used. Certain neurotransmitters have been related to one’s mood such as serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine. Patients with depression have been found to have decreased activity of these neurotransmitters. Not all cases are the same and differences in symptoms are attributed to varying levels of each chemical. Sounds simple, right? But just like the brain it’s never simple. Studies have also shown that decreased activity of these chemicals doesn’t always cause depression, indicating that other outlying factors exist.

Depression is associated with low self-esteem and negative self-concept but it’s difficult to determine whether these are a cause or effect. However social stresses have also been linked to it. Early life trauma such as child abuse or neglect, social isolation or poverty are just a few. It’s these types of stresses coupled with decreased activity of those neurotransmitters which causes depression.

The first step to overcoming depression is talking to a doctor who can refer you to various treatments. Antidepressant medication is effective, however not for everyone. It’s important to try all the options provided because each patient has different needs. Ketamine treatment is effective for patients who have been resistant to other treatments. Administered in small doses through an IV, Ketamine is an anesthetic which can relieve anxiety and other symptoms. The Ketamine Specialists of Texas are an organization specifically dedicated to treatment of depression with Ketamine. They are highly trained and knowledgeable professionals in their field. If your depression has been resistant to other forms of treatment this may be the treatment for you.

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