Beta Blockers -- Side Effects and Benefits

Beta Blockers are a prescription drug used for heart conditions, that have interesting side effects and health benefits. Beta blockers are a class of drugs that inhibit what's known as beta-adrenergic chemicals, which are generally compounds associated with stress, such as adrenaline (epinephrine). Beta blocker's main purpose is to relieve stress on the heart by treating abnormal and irregular heart rhythms or arrhythmia, chest pain, heart attacks, hypertension, migraine headaches, social phobias, tremors, and also glaucoma. Though beta blockers aren't approved for performance anxiety and things like stage fright, there is a growing rise of persons taking them for that purpose because beta blockers inhibit most of the negative side effects of nervousness and anxiety.

In talking about beta blockers side effects, it's important to note that not all beta blockers are the same, and that beta receptors in the body vary as well depending on where they are. Beta receptors are commonly found in the heart and lungs, among other places. Some beta blockers specifically target one type of beta receptor, like the heart for example, while others target all of them. In addition to that, some beta blockers have shown to enter the brain more easily than others. Propranolol, known as Inderal, for example has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier easily. This can make a big difference in beta blockers side effects and also may be why propranolol seems to cause more central nervous system side effects, things like nightmares, hallucinations, depression and other psychological issues.

In addition to these symptoms, there are also several conditions to be aware of, such as slow heart rate, asthma, and even heart failure, which can heighten and even be fatal when taking beta blockers. This drug should not be taken ever without express direction of a doctor. Other reported beta blockers side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Reduced Blood Flow to the Extremities
• Allergic Reaction and Skin Rash, Swelling, and Trouble Breathing
• Sleep Disturbances

It's interesting to note with that last side effect that while beta blockers are generally associated with relaxation, they can often inhibit nocturnal production and release of melatonin, which is the hormone associated with sleep. This interferes with a person's normal sleep patterns and can cause them not to get good amounts of sleep. This is a particularly important side effect, as you'll see how it can play out in the next section. One final thing to note with beta blockers is that, if a person wants to discontinue use, they must do so in a specific manner, under the direction of a medical professional. Otherwise further side effects may ensue.

I've been doing a lot of writing recently on drugs which specifically inhibit a hormone or other natural chemical produced by the body. I've also written a number of articles on the dangers of adrenal fatigue and how quickly it can come about. Since beta blockers seek to block the action of stress hormones like adrenaline, the chemicals are still in the system, they're just rendered inert. So even though the heart and the rest of the body isn't feeling the symptoms of the released chemicals, the glands that produce them, namely the adrenal glands are still bearing the weight of the stress.

Adrenal fatigue can strike very quickly. When adrenaline and other stress hormones are produced and released into the bloodstream, they're meant to give an extra boost of energy and awareness for a short "stress event." That's why they're called fight or flight hormones. But with human beings, often stress can't be isolated to single "events" but rather is an ongoing way of life. So if a person is under a continual amount of stress and is using a drug such as beta blockers in order to inhibit the symptoms, things like adrenal fatigue can still very easily set in because the body is still producing high levels of stress hormones, and the relaxation and sleep that's meant to come after stress events isn't happening.

As you read in the first section one of the side effects of beta blockers can be to interfere with normal melatonin function inside the body.  This, when paired with stress, can put an even greater strain on the adrenal glands because sleep in when the adrenal glands are most able to repair themselves.  It's important to note that some psychiatrists and psychologists feel that beta blockers should really only be used in the context of psychological intervention, and only as a temporary measure.  Since beta blockers are used to treat social phobias and other things, some psychiatrists and psychologists feel that their use should be limited to that arena.  I tend to agree with them.

**This article is meant to add to your general knowledge and should not be taken as medical advice or a medical diagnosis