A well-done research paper published in late 2021 compared the positive effects of SGB treatment(standardized and adapted ginkgo Biloba) with a control group using a common antidepressant. This study was significant because it was the first multiple-site, double-blinded trial of SGB for PTSD. Furthermore, it showed that while the placebo group only saw a small improvement of 5%, the SGB group improved by 34% within the eight-week period following the commencement of SGB therapy. The results were thus extremely encouraging for SGB since it appears that this type of treatment can be helpful for sufferers of PTSD regardless of whether they were initially exposed to trauma or not. PTSD usually affects individuals who have experienced some form of trauma. Typically, such trauma occurs through an event involving violence or sudden shock. SGB is said to improve mood by increasing the amount of oxygen-rich blood circulation to the brain; it also increases the amount of serotonin, which is known to have a calming effect on patients. SGB also increases the number of dendritic cells in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are two major areas of the brain that are known to mediate stress responses. Other studies have shown that patients suffering from PTSD experience less depression, improve their moods, have increased dendritic cell numbers and memory, and can cope with anxiety and trauma better than non-PTSD patients. In addition to treating the patient's psychological condition, SGB also helps them manage their pain. In the case of patients with PTSD, pain can be very difficult to manage especially if it comes in the form of physical pain. For example, when a patient is having a heart attack, they will experience sudden and intense pain in their chest and abdomen. However, if the SGB is used before the patient has a heart attack, it helps reduce the pain felt during the heart attack. SGB is said to help patients feel less pain and not to become too dependent on medication to manage their pain after their heart attack. There are a lot of advantages in using this type of treatment aside from its ability to treat pain. The most notable advantage of SGB is that it enables the patient to go back to living a normal life without having to worry about the possibility of another panic attack. In addition, patients undergoing SGB can maintain their emotions in check. They also prevent the patient from focusing on negative things and thoughts since they're distracted. Since the SGB requires the patient's cooperation, he or she must be actively involved in the entire treatment procedure. In addition, the SGB procedure also allows patients to control their hypervigilance. Patients with PTSD might have an abnormal fear and heightened arousal level when faced with even small instances of danger. Because this condition makes them physically and psychologically unstable, the SGB helps them control their hypervigilance and prevent the attacks from happening at all. While the hypervigilance of the SGB patients can make it difficult for them to sleep, the constant monitoring of their heart rate and breathing enables them to get restorative sleep. With the introduction of new technology, it has become possible to obtain SGBs other than those derived from iontophoresis. New non-invasive treatments for PTSD such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), are available. TMS uses radio wave energy to alter the electrical current in the brain. By altering the current, it is hoped that the brain will attempt to counteract the ill effects of the stimulus by producing its own positive energy. While it is too early to assess the efficacy of SGB as a PTSD treatment option, both types of these alternative therapies have shown promising results. An alternative post for more info on the topic here: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/psychology/psychology-and-psychiatry/post-traumatic-stress-disorder
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7/29/2021 0 Comments Stellate Ganglion Block (Rupture) Stellate Ganglion Block (sgb) is an alternative non-drug therapy for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in patients with a high risk of having an anxiety or panic attack. Findings from recent studies indicate that this treatment modality provides significant benefits when used in conjunction with other forms of therapy. Other research indicates that this treatment modality has been effective in the management of patients with mild PTSD but not when used alone. Findings from current and clinical trials reveal important differences in the types of patients that respond to therapy and those that do not. A recently published study compared two different forms of post-traumatic stress disorder treatment adjunct to SGB treatment as a single unit. Findings from this prospective randomized clinical trial showed that 2 stellate ganglion block (sub) treatments, administered simultaneously, were moderately effective in the reduction of Clinician-administered PTSD Scale for Diagnostic-Related Groups (CDR) for a subset of patients receiving PTSD. The adjusted mean improvement was 6.3 points for the combined group, while the combined group only showed a difference in the placebo response, a difference in the percentage of responders, or a difference in mean percentage of respondents that did not reach significance. Further, postprandial cortisol levels were lower in the placebo group than in the group that received treatment. In addition, there were no significant differences in mood, sleeping, or physical symptoms between the treatment groups at any time during the four-week period. The primary mechanism thought to underlie the results of the present study is that the stellate ganglion block (SGB) reduces the firing of local neurons towards an angry facial expression or behavior in patients with PTSD. However, it is also believed that increased cortical thickness over a large area may account for the positive effect of GB. Other research has indicated that reduced amygdala activity can result in reduced threat memory, whereas increased cortical thickness can directly affect avoidance behavior in patients with PTSD. The present data are therefore in the debate regarding which mechanism is involved in the process of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and which abnormality causes the behavior. What is clear is that the use of GB in conjunction with other psychosocial treatments, in conjunction with adequate lifestyle supports can produce remarkable improvements in lifestyle and functioning for patients with PTSD. Stellate Ganglion Block (sub) therapy is most effective when it is combined with alternative treatments such as relaxation techniques, biofeedback, muscle-testing, massage, and cognitive behavioral therapy. It is also important to make lifestyle changes such as removing nicotine and alcohol from the diet, quitting recreational drugs such as marijuana, and reducing caffeine from the diet. The use of natural dietary supplements such as vitamin B6 and magnesium in significant amounts can help to normalize the functions of the autonomic nervous system and the immune system, thereby reducing the risk of systemic inflammatory disease (SID). Patients with PTSD that require high levels of stress and anxiety should be treated with care and attention to maintain normal brain function. GB is particularly useful for individuals with PTSD that exhibit chronic symptoms and have difficulty coping with stressful life events. During the Stellate Ganglion Block (sub) procedure, a local anesthetic is injected onto the scalp and into the base of the skull. Once this is injected, the patient is made to recline in a chair with his eyes open, with his head in a neutral position. An anesthesiologist then injects a mild neuroleptic (antipsychotic), which blocks pain and controls brain function. The neuroleptics are pre-administered before the procedure and are taken orally. If there is any discomfort or difficulty swallowing, medical help should be sought. Once administered, the patient may experience slight to moderate sedation and can respond to the treatment immediately. However, it is important to note that the scalp and base of the skull must not be touching when the procedure is performed. This can prevent a possible complication called secondary stellate ganglion block, which occurs if the anesthetic accidentally gets into the brain. This condition can cause neurological damage and can even result in death if the person does not receive emergency medical care on time. Check out this post that has expounded on the topic: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellate_ganglion Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) is an innovative new treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) utilized to treat anxiety and stress-related symptoms. Question. How does stellate ganglion block treatment compare with traditional amnesia in reducing the extent of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms following exposure to a terrifying event? Answer. It is a relatively new approach to a very old problem. The medical community has been studying the effect of this treatment on patients with PTSD for over thirty years, and even though there has been a long-standing debate as to the efficacy of such treatments, the results have been promising. It is now widely regarded as being a valid, efficacious, and convenient post-traumatic stress disorder treatment adjunct to other post-traumatic stress disorder treatments. In fact, many patients and physicians alike often advise that SGB is an easy and effective way to complement ongoing therapy, especially when combined with cognitive-behavioral therapy. The primary aim of stellate ganglion block (SGB) is to reduce the excretory activity of the ganglia, thus minimizing the symptoms of anxiety and fear related to exposure to trauma. According to research, this form of therapy can be very helpful in the management of symptoms of anxiety and phobias. It has been found to improve memory, reduce nightmares, nausea, and headaches and slow down the progression of the disorder. The process by which the stellate ganglion blocks block the activity of the sympathetic nervous system has been compared to that of drugs such as naltrexone and lofexidine. While naltrexone acts directly on the opioid receptors to block the neurotransmitter release that results in the euphoric effects of endorphins, lofexidine blocks the entrance into the brain of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger of action which then causes the sensations of pleasure associated with narcotics such as heroin and morphine. Both medications are known to have serious side effects which range from minor irritations to severe depression and anxiety. As opposed to these major side effects, however, there are no serious psychiatric or health risks associated with stellate ganglion blocks. This is why stellate ganglion block is a preferred treatment for patients suffering from neuropathic pain caused by damaged, infected, or inflamed nerves. The first step in the treatment of neuropathic pain is the administration of local anesthetic agents such as lidocaine. Lidocaine's immediate action is to dilate the pupil of the eyes, allowing for better viewing of light and therefore allowing for more precise maneuvering of the patient's face. After the administration of lidocaine, the patient lies down on a table to allow for complete sedation of the ophthalmic system. Local anesthetic ointments such as meperidine, benzocaine, acetaminophen, and methylphenidate are administered at different doses and intensities depending on the pain experienced. General anesthesia is required for higher dosages of lidocaine and local anesthetic for lower dosages of meperidine, acetaminophen, and benzocaine. Once the initial caps-5 blocks have been placed, the treatment protocol proceeds with the addition of tricyclic anti-depressants (TCA) such as nortriptyline and atomoxetine; TCA's have the opposite effect on brain chemistry as those found in benzodiazepines. Research studies have revealed that TCAs can reduce both serotonin receptor agonists (the body's natural painkiller drugs) and neuropathic pain. For this reason, researchers and treating physicians often recommend that TCAs are added during SGB treatment. This enables participants to experience TCAs without experiencing side effects. Check out this post for more details related to this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sympathetic_ganglia |
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