Anticholinergic
Anticholinergic
Anticholinergic (pronunciation: an-tee-ko-lin-er-jik) refers to a type of medication that blocks the action of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. These drugs are used to treat a variety of medical conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory conditions, and certain types of poisoning.
Etymology
The term "anticholinergic" is derived from the Greek words "anti-", meaning against, and "choline", a type of neurotransmitter. The "-ergic" suffix refers to the action or effect of a substance. Therefore, an anticholinergic drug works against the action of acetylcholine.
Related Terms
- Acetylcholine: A neurotransmitter in the brain that plays a key role in many functions, including muscle movement and memory. Anticholinergic drugs block the action of acetylcholine.
- Neurotransmitter: A chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses across a synapse.
- Synapse: The junction between two nerve cells, consisting of a minute gap across which impulses pass by diffusion of a neurotransmitter.
- Gastrointestinal disorders: Medical conditions that affect the stomach and intestines. Some of these conditions can be treated with anticholinergic drugs.
- Respiratory conditions: Medical conditions that affect the lungs and other parts of the body that are involved in breathing. Some of these conditions can be treated with anticholinergic drugs.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Anticholinergic
- Wikipedia's article - Anticholinergic
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