What is Norepinephrine Used for?
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Function
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Norephinephrine is prescribed for conditions where the blood pressure is lower than usual, such as in blood transfusions or myocardial infarctions.
Features
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It is also used to stimulate the body's defense response during emergencies, as in dangerously low blood pressure and cardiac arrest.
Identification
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Norepinephrine is a fight-or-flight hormone called a catecholamine. Catecholamines work are a component of the sympathetic nervous system, the part of the nervous system that reacts to stress.
Breathing
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Norepinephrine is released to respond to brief periods of stress. It opens up the breathing airways by relaxing its muscles.
Glucose
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It also increases the production of glucose, through glycogenolysis--a process that converts the glycogen stores into glucose. This increases the amount of "fuel" circulating in the body during this imposing stress.
Fat Stores
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Under stress, norepinephrine also increases the body's conversion of stored fats, which also act as an energy source, as well as protection of the cells from damage.
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