A neurotransmitter in the parasympathetic nervous system.
Acetylcholinesterase
A neurotransmitter that inactivates acetylcholine.
Adrenergic Blocking Drugs
Drugs that impede certain sympathetic nervous system functions.
Adrenergic Drugs
Drugs with effects similar to those that occur in the body when the adrenergic nerves are stimulated.
Autonomic Nervous System
The branch of the periphreal nervous system that controls functions essential for survival.
Cardiac Arrhythmia
Irregular heartbeat.
Central Nervous System
Consists of the brain and spinal cord.
Cholinergic Blocking Drugs
Drugs that impede certain parasympathetic nervous system functions.
Cholinergic Drugs
Drugs that mimic the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Cholinergic Crisis
Cholinergic drug toxicity.
First Dose Effect
An unusually strong therapeutic effect experienced by some patients with the first doses of a medication.
Glaucoma
An eye condition in which a blockage of drainage channels within the eye results in increased intraocular pressure that may lead to blindness.
Myasthenia Gravis
A disease that causes fatigue of skeletal muscles because of the lack of acetylcholine released at the nerve endings of parasympathetic nerve fibers.
Neurotransmitter
A chemical substance, also called a neurohormone, released at nerve endings to help transmit nerve impulses.
Orthostatic Hypotension
A feeling of light-headedness and dizziness after suddenly changing position, caused by a decrease in blood pressure when a person sits or stands up.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
A branch of the autonomic nervous system partly responsible for activities such as slowing the heart rate, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes.
Peripheral Nervous System
All nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord, connecting all parts of the body with the central nervous system.
Postural Hypotension
A feeling of light-headedness and dizziness after suddenly changing from a lying to a sitting or standing position, or from a sitting to a standing position.
Shock
A life-threatening condition occuring when the supply of arterial blood flow and oxygen to the cells and tissues is inadequate.
Somatic Nervous System
Branch of the peripheral nervous system that controls sensation and voluntary movement.
Sympathetic Nervous System
Branch of the autonomic nervous system that regulates the expenditure of energy and has key effects in stressful situations.
Vasopressor
A drug that raises the blood pressure because it constricts blood vessels.