#vasodilator

Tips for newly diagnosed dysautonomia patients:

- Drink a lot of water (so much water guys. Especially if you have hypovolemic types of dysautonomia, like hypovolemic POTS, it’s crucial)

- Keep up with electrolytes/ salt intake. Vitassium makes salt pills, chews, and tablets. I personally prefer the tablets because I can just suck on them for a while, but I know a few people who prefer the pills.

- Compression socks help, A LOT! One major component of dysautonomia, in general, is blood pooling (which can greatly increase your risk of fainting). The compression/construction helps blood flow and return back to your heart and brain

- Your disability(s) are valid, even if you don’t pass out/pass out a lot!! Only about 1/3 of people with POTS (one of the most common types of dysautonomia) pass out! And of those, few pass out regularly/daily (such as myself). No matter what, you are valid! Even if you’re undiagnosed, even if your case is “mild”, even if you manage it well without much help; you’re valid!

- Especially for those of you who are just being introduced to disability (likely because of long COVID), it’s okay to grieve the life you used to have/planned to have. You can live a wonderful, full life with these conditions (and other conditions), it just may require more accommodations than you anticipated!

- DONT BE AFRAID TO ACCOMODATE YOURSELF! Seriously, use mobility aids, get a 504/IEP, and make your space(s) accessible to yourself! I use forearm crutches for short distances, but because of how severe my dysautonomia is, I’m reliant on a wheelchair (with someone pushing me/motorized aid) to go more than a couple hundred feet/longer (or anything that requires standing for more than 5-10 minutes).

- Get a pulse oximeter or watch! Certain types of dysautonomia may cause lowered oxygen (hypoxia) because of a lack of available blood. It’s extremely important to monitor this and make sure you’re aware of your oxygen levels!

- Find community! I personally love using “stuff that works”. It not only lets you crowdsource for information about medications or treatments, but lets you message other people with the same condition(s) as you.

- If you feel like something is wrong, please talk to your doctor. I know it’s scary, especially if you have medical trauma/PTSD on top of these conditions, but it can literally be lifesaving. I noticed a sudden uptick in chest pain and casually mentioned it to my doctor. Sure enough, we found I have two types of arrhythmias (p-wave inversion and flutters) Now I’m pushing for genetic testing to see if my diagnosed EDS is vEDS/cvEDS

- Don’t be afraid to start and try medications! I’ve tried numerous medications and haven’t found anything that works quite right yet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t :). And some of you may not need medication! You may be able to manage with lifestyle changes, or IV therapy, which is great! Do what works FOR YOU. Everyone is different!

- Rest days are productive! Your body is working really hard to keep you alive, it’s okay to take a break! Take care of yourself, really, it’s okay to conserve spoons.

Vasodilators – List, Drugs Study & Nursing Implications

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Vasodilators are the drugs that tend to dilates the (relax) smooth muscles of blood vessels. The smooth muscles of blood vessels is responsible for arteriolar and venous tone which in turn play important role role in myocardial wall stress. Arteriolar tone directly controls the peripheral vascular resistance and thus arterial pressure. Venous tone determines the capacity of…

CONTEST: “KEEPIN’ KOOL” (DAY 1)

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There was a question regarding my IV Hydralazine post. The nurse who asked me is a tele nurse and administers IV Hydralazine often - he didn't understand why I didn't like to give it.

First, where I work there is no "tele." All MedSurg is telemetry at my facility, so we don't designate. I know some hospitals do.

Anyway, Hydralazine is a vasodilator. Its action isn't much different than, say, Nitroprusside.

The danger with vasodilators (we all know this) is that they can dangerously drop blood pressures, and quickly. When an IV push med is given, it's not like a drip that a nurse titrates for effect. It's one push and then if the blood pressure tanks, well..

Therefore, any literature I've read (and I just read quite a bit to make sure I understood why) suggests taking blood pressures every five minutes for a half an hour. My facility requires that, then every half an hour for an hour, then every hour for four hours. I think that is a bit of overkill but whatever, it always made for a terrible night for me and my patient.

In my experience, my patients' arteries are so stiff that Hydralazine does nothing aside from a transient drop in systolic BP; however, we did have one lady who got up to the bathroom after receiving Hydralazine and passed out because her pressure had tanked.