Corvalol is a popular medicine, especially among older people. Available in the form of drops and tablets. In the minds of many, it is used when “the heart is in pain.” In fact, this combination drug belongs to the group of sedatives and hypnotics. It is not easy to find out the whole truth about Corvalol. Despite the fact that the drug is decades old, even doctors have ambivalent attitudes towards it.
Professor Pavel Vorobyov, head of an organization engaged in research into cost-effectiveness in pharmacology, believes that Corvalol should be classified as a hard drug and sold only by prescription. Its use prevents patients from seeing a doctor on time and hides the symptoms of serious diseases.
Also, uncontrolled use of the drug can lead to the development of side effects, addiction and poisoning.
Compound
The effects of taking Corvalol are easily explained by its composition.
Alpha-bromoisovaleric acid ethyl ester has a sedative effect similar to valerian. It helps relax the smooth muscles of internal organs, slows down the transmission of nerve impulses and reduces blood pressure.
Phenobarbital in small dosages causes drowsiness, relaxation, and also relaxes smooth muscles. Increases the resistance of the nervous system to irritants, promotes the onset of sleep, but the sleep that occurs is not physiological.
Peppermint leaf oil promotes dilatation of blood vessels in the heart and brain. Strengthens intestinal contractility.
The combination of these components enhances their effect.
Another option for helping the immune system is vaccination.
This is a really great and completely “natural” way to strengthen the immune system in a specific and effective way. When vaccinated, the child's body is exposed to part of the pathogenic microorganism or its weakened version, this stimulates the formation of a specific immune response to the specific disease against which the vaccine is created. Such immunity will be active for a long time due to the production of specific antibodies. Some people argue that the immunity provided by vaccination is not as long-lasting or strong as “natural” immunity. In many cases this is true. But let’s not forget that for “natural” immunity (for example, lifelong immunity), you need to get sick from an infectious disease, which in the case of dangerous infections can end sadly. In our opinion, to acquire immunity, you still don’t need to get sick. Immunization is one of the safest and most effective tools you can use to reduce your child's risk of developing certain infections, many of which can be truly life-threatening.
When to use
The drug cannot treat any serious diseases. It is usually taken for dysfunction without serious pathologies (functional impairment). Corvalol is taken to reduce the excitability of the nervous system and as a drug with some vasodilating effect. It can help with increased irritability, agitation with difficulty falling asleep and body reactions such as sweating, redness, weakness (manifestations of autonomic reactions of the nervous system). Sometimes to relieve intestinal spasms.
The main purpose of taking Corvalol is to reduce the excitability of the nervous system and slightly dilate blood vessels.
The General Secretary of the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Therapists, Andrei Spassky, believes that the drug is beneficial. It helps with heart disease, rhythm disturbances, and cardioneurosis. There are about 17 million people suffering from coronary heart disease in Russia. Approximately every second person uses such drugs, because they have a fairly good antiarrhythmic effect.
How many times do you get sick?
In reality, a child will suffer from colds quite often (normally up to 8-10 times a year until primary school age, and up to 4-5 times a year in secondary school). The high incidence is associated with the gradual development of the protective immune system and its successive “acquaintance” with various strains of viruses that cause colds. Only by “remembering” certain types of viruses, the immune system is able to effectively fight pathogens, preventing or mitigating the severity of the disease.
However, parents, sincerely wanting the best for their children, are constantly looking for means and ways to “strengthen the child’s immunity,” especially since advertising persistently suggests that this is really possible with the help of vitamins, nutritional supplements and “magic” yoghurts or drinks.
Placebo effect
The literature describes placebo effects for Corvalol and the similar composition Valocordin1. Thus, elderly people living abroad, former citizens of Russia (USSR), sometimes at very old age, asked to send these particular drugs, because previously they “helped great.” What “used to be” was 20 years ago, they were younger and healthier, did not interest anyone. Explanations from local doctors and relatives that there are more effective, modern medicines did not reassure them. But the most interesting thing is that the new medications themselves did not help. The “tried and true” were needed. Then they resorted to a combination of active ingredients according to the instructions from Corvalol to produce exactly the same ones. But no, only the “old” Valocordin or Corvalol were needed. When patients did get “their” drugs, they began taking them with great pleasure and hope. Usually they helped, just as “effectively” as many years ago.
For many elderly patients, it is necessary to weigh the benefits and possible harm, additional risks when taking Corvalol. Often this is psychological dependence and the effect of self-hypnosis.
Do not take medications on your own and always consult a doctor.
Introduction
Why do people keep pets?
Psychologists have been asking this question for a long time. After all, we are of the same blood and many types of human behavior are based on animal behavior. They signal to us: “I love you, I really need you!” In addition, not being able to speak, animals are not able to criticize us, deceive us or flatter us, they always pay a person in pure coin, we understand and appreciate this. Thus, pet lovers are not rejected losers, not raging rich people and not deceived victims of parasites, but quite reasonable people who for some reason need love, friendship and encouragement more than others and use the company of animals to improve their physical and psychological condition.
Anyone who has had a cat knows that these creatures are capable of much... Even magic. They treat illnesses, calm children, kill snakes, drive away evil dogs and even detain robbers, and sing songs. Except they don't tell fairy tales.
Reactions, consequences of poisoning
In large doses, Corvalol reduces the metabolic rate and lowers body temperature due to its effect on the central mechanisms of thermoregulation. Reduces blood pressure. As a result, in acute poisoning, a decrease in renal filtration and the development of oliguria and anuria are possible.
The drug component phenobarbital significantly inhibits psychomotor reactions and impairs coordination of movements. Some doctors see this as an additional provoking factor for falls in older people with subsequent hip fractures. Osteoporosis, many contraindications to surgery for treatment, a long recovery period and bed rest can cause congestion in the lungs, the development of pneumonia, and ultimately lead to death.
The use of phenobarbital with alcohol not only greatly slows down psychomotor reactions and leads to impaired coordination. Overdose can cause coma and death. Long-term use of the drug causes fatigue, deterioration of memory and concentration, depression, headache, and tremor.
The instructions for medical use of the drug Corvalol do not prohibit the use of the drug simultaneously with alcohol. At the same time, the Roszdravnadzor database recorded adverse reactions when taking the drug Corvalol, which in some cases led to death. These cases were associated with its uncontrolled use in combination with alcohol.
The instructions for Corvalol do not prohibit the use of the drug simultaneously with alcohol, but cases of death have been recorded when it is taken uncontrolled along with alcohol.
Features of the immune system in children
advises a medical pediatrician How to strengthen a child’s immunity - this is a question that worries every mother who is influenced by advertising from TV or the Internet, which frightens her every day that she and her baby simply need to purchase and use various medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, yoghurts, and other products that will instantly “strengthen” the child’s immunity. In this article we will look at how immune defense works in children, what affects it, and in which cases something needs to be done to “strengthen” it, and in which cases not.
Other Adverse Effects
Self-medication with Corvalol can mask the symptoms of more serious diseases, such as cancer. The components of the drug cannot be called beneficial to health. In addition, the drug may have a pronounced placebo effect. On the one hand, this is good and increases its effectiveness. On the other hand, patients stop taking medications that are really necessary for diseases of the cardiovascular system. Patient adherence to treatment is a big problem in cardiology.
Yes, perhaps they act more slowly and do not bring relief immediately, but it is their use that increases life expectancy and reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes (statins, antihypertensive drugs, antiplatelet agents). Because they act on the mechanisms of disease development, and do not simply mask the symptoms.
Corvalol drops at night can become for an elderly person an imaginary concern for their health and a ritual of self-soothing. Then, if symptoms intensify or new ones appear, he does not go for examination, but simply increases the dose. This is especially true for residents of areas with low access to medical care.
Purring doctor. How cats help people stay healthy
The cat is one of the most beloved and revered animals on the planet. To date, about 200 breeds have been bred, the number of animals in the world is about 600 million, and almost 60% of the world's population have them as pets at home.
The domestication of cats began more than six thousand years ago - and since then there have been many legends and superstitions around them. In Ancient Egypt, these graceful animals were worshiped as deities, they were allowed to go anywhere, many gods were depicted with a cat's head, and after death the cats were mummified. Unfortunately, the period of worship in the 14th century ended - and the Inquisition began. Cats, especially black ones, were not in the best position during these times, because they were considered assistants to witches and were burned at the stake in their hundreds.
Down with superstition. Black cats that can be adopted from shelters right now
Time Out invites you to throw away all prejudices and take a closer look at black cats from shelters who are looking for homes right now.
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Today, there are many fewer people with prejudices against cats. However, many still believe that these animals are capable of feeling what is hidden from human eyes: they predict death, hiss into the void and can find a new home for their owners without ever having been there. There is no scientific evidence that cats have supernatural powers, but they definitely have a beneficial effect on the human condition.
Since 1980, several hundred studies have been conducted in the UK, Europe and the USA on the effect of cats on humans and it has been revealed that the owners of these pets:
“Our task is to treat and help”: interviews with Moscow veterinarians
- had lower blood pressure and heart rate;
- visited doctors 21% less often;
- suffered less from depression and loneliness;
- had greater social connections and had more friends;
- were more active;
- experienced losses more easily;
- took better care of ourselves;
- felt safer;
- had better survival rates one year after myocardial infarction.
Photo: Depositphotos
There’s also no denying the power of a cat’s purr, something no one else in the natural world can do. These sounds, which oscillate in the range of 24-44 hertz, promote the growth and strengthening of bone tissue, restore cells and activate the body's protective properties. Cats also purr when they themselves are sick—apparently, this is how they treat themselves.
Massage in combination with “acupuncture”, which pets sometimes give to their owners, also turns out to be useful. In addition, cats help with cardiovascular diseases, since contact with them normalizes the patient’s blood pressure.
A dog instead of a psychologist. What is canistherapy and how does it work?
Some people have difficulty interacting with cats due to severe allergies to fur. However, scientists, having conducted a number of studies, have proven that regular communication between a child and a pet prevents the occurrence of allergic reactions and asthma. The medicinal properties of cats are also used in feline therapy - a method of treatment and prevention of diseases, which is based on human interaction with cats and their images.
Photo: Depositphotos
The necessary qualities for a therapy cat are a calm, balanced character, lack of aggression towards strangers of any age, as well as a sincere interest in communicating with a person. There are many beneficial effects from therapy: thermal (the “heating pad” effect), electrostatic, bioacoustic (ultrasound therapy) and energy, as well as the effect on nerve endings.
Unlike dogs and horses, which are widely used in animal-assisted therapy, cats are more difficult to work with - not everyone easily adapts to a new place, and their mood can change quickly. And yet, in many nursing homes and foreign hospitals, the presence of cats has shown positive results - in particular, it has a beneficial effect on children with autism.
Paintings of Iris, Raining Cats and Anima
The famous story of the little artist Iris and her cat Tula is proof of this. The girl suffered from sleep disorders, obsessive behavior, refused to make eye contact, and avoided playing with her parents and other children. When Tula was first brought home, the kitten slept in Iris's bed all night, allowing her to pet him, and did not resist when the girl held his tail.
Thanks to Tula, Iris decided to take the boldest step for a child with autism - she learned to trust the world around her: sleep soundly, ride a bike, not be afraid of water and engage in creativity. Her paintings are in demand all over the world.
Tailed anti-stress: how pets helped us survive self-isolation
Cats continue to guard our health and well-being. They are a real “vitamin of joy”, because it is their tricks that can bring a smile even on the gloomiest day. In addition, cats are excellent stress relievers and relieve insomnia and irritability. Every day they captivate people with their independent, majestic character and bring undeniable benefits. Check out the effect of a cat on the body by adopting a pet from our “In Good Hands” section.
In good hands: who can be taken from shelters
By adopting a pet from a shelter, you will not only gain a loyal friend, but also do a good deed.
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Habituation and Dependence
Addiction to frequent uncontrolled use often causes addiction and dependence. Phenobarbital has an accumulation effect in the body. Also, over time, with long-term use, the body’s sensitivity to the previous dose decreases and the person begins to gradually increase it, since he does not receive relief as before.
A person cannot stop taking it on his own, as a strong withdrawal syndrome develops. In mild cases, withdrawal syndrome is manifested by anxiety, tremors, increasing weakness throughout the body, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbance, dizziness, and the development of fainting. In severe cases, convulsions and delirium are possible.
Healing abilities of cats: Nuances
If you answer the question - can a cat cure its owner, then we can say with confidence that it can.
- But not all cats will show a desire to treat a person, but only those animals that show sympathy for their potential patient.
- If the pet is not friendly towards its owner, is offended by him or even angry, then the healing procedure will end in scratches and will not give any results.
If the furry healer independently shows a desire to help and shows affection towards the person, then it is necessary to allow the cat to lie down on the sore spot or simply be nearby.
