Serotonin Syndrome

Accumulation of high levels of serotonin chemical in your body leads to what is known as the serotonin syndrome. Drugs that cause this ailment must be stopped or the dosage must be reduced in order to alleviate symptoms. This syndrome is also found to occur due to usage of certain dietary supplements and illicit drugs. Serotonin is one of the useful chemicals in your body that helps regulate functioning of your brain and nerve cells.

Serotonin syndrome symptoms can occur if there is excels serotonin. Some of the symptoms include mild diarrhea, depression and diet as well as shivering and severe seizures, fever and muscle rigidity. If serotonin syndrome treatment is not administered on time, this condition could be fatal. Milder serotonin syndrome effects can be combated by stopping the medications responsible for the condition and by taking certain drugs that block this chemical.

Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can occur the moment you start taking drugs that do not agree with you or increase the dosage of drugs you are already taking. Prominent symptoms that could severely debilitate you include high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, confusion, restlessness or agitation, headache, diarrhea, profuse sweating, loss of muscle coordination, dilated pupils, goose bumps and shivering. If left untreated for a prolonged period of time, serotonin syndrome symptoms could become life threatening. Some of the acute symptoms you should beware of include irregular heartbeat, seizures, high fever and unconsciousness. It is time to see your doctor for emergency serotonin syndrome treatment if you encounter any or most of the above symptoms after you start a new drug or increase dosage of existing drug.

Serotonin Syndrome Causes

You will experience serotonin syndrome effects when there is excessive accumulation of this chemical in your body. During anger treatment this type of symptoms are also what causes for this therapy. Normally, the brain, nerve cells and spinal cord produce enough serotonin to keep their functioning regulated. You need the right amount of serotonin to keep your body temperature, behavior and attention regulated. This chemical is also produced in your body by other nerve cells like intestines where it helps keep your digestive process, breathing and blood flow regulated. Though serotonin over dose can occur leading to serotonin syndrome with the introduction of a new drug, most often it is caused by taking a combination of two or more medications. Intentional antidepressant medication overdose is one of the most common causes of the onset of serotonin syndrome symptoms.

Serotonin Syndrome Treatment

Serotonin syndrome treatment usually involves close observation at the hospital for at least 24 hours. Doctors may prescribe serotonin production blockers like Cyproheptadine, Benzodiazepines like Lorazepam or Diazepam to reduce muscle stiffness, seizure-like movements and agitation, withdrawal of medications suspected to be causing this condition and fluids by IV. An overdose of serotonin in your body can cause life debilitating and life threatening issues by paralyzing your muscles. Those who suffer from acute syndrome usually need assisted breathing support in the form of breathing machine and breathing tube on a temporary basis to prevent any more damage. Reaching out for immediate medical help is the only way to combat serotonin syndrome effects effectively.