Pharmacology & Nervous System Introduction

Pharmacology Introduction

• Pharmacology is the study of how drugs interact with the body and how the body responds to drugs.
• Drugs are chemical compounds affecting living processes. They are used for treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases.
• Factors affecting drug action include absorption rate, distribution rate, metabolism rate, and elimination rate.

Nervous System Introduction

• The nervous system is divided into two main parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system.
• The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord.
• The peripheral nervous system includes neurons located outside the brain and spinal cord.

Nervous System Divisions

• The efferent neurons carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to peripheral tissues.
• The afferent neurons bring information from the periphery to the CNS.
• The somatic nervous system controls voluntary actions like skeletal muscle contraction.
• The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions like smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, and glandular secretion.
  • The autonomic system is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Effects of the Sympathetic Nervous System

• Increase heart rate and blood pressure.
• Mobilize energy stores in the body.
• Increase blood flow to skeletal muscles and the heart.

Peptic Ulcer Disease and Treatment

• Causative factors for peptic ulcers include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori infection.
• Ulcers are caused by inadequate mucosal defense mechanisms against excess gastric acid.
• Treatment includes eradicating H. pylori, reducing gastric acid secretion, and protecting the gastric mucosa from damage.
• Drugs used to treat peptic ulcers include H2-receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors.
• Antimicrobial agents may be necessary for infection eradication.
• Mucosal protective agents like bismuth subsalicylate and prostaglandins may also be helpful.

Drugs for Peptic Ulcer

• Inhibitors of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, and rabeprazole.
• Antacids like aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, and sodium bicarbonate.
• Anticholinergic agents like dicyclomine.
• Mucosal protective agents like bismuth subsalicylate and misoprostol.

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of pharmacology and the nervous system. Learn about how drugs interact with the body, the structure of the nervous system, and the functions of its divisions. Dive into essential information that connects these two critical areas of study.