Chronic pain is often a symptom of various medical conditions, like: diabetes, arthritis, migraines, fibromyalgia, cancer, shingles, sciatica, and more. This kind of pain may progress over time or get worse due to environmental or psychological factors.

Causes of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is most often the result of a previous injury, with some believing that chronic pain develops after nerves become damaged. In cases of nerve damage, treating the underlying injury may not be enough to resolve the symptoms of chronic pain.

In other cases, chronic pain can be experienced not due to a prior injury, but rather from an underlying health condition, such as the following:

• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Endometriosis
• Fibromyalgia
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Interstitial cystitis
• Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ)

Who Can Develop Chronic Pain?

Though it is more common in older adults, anyone can develop chronic pain. Some factors that can increase your risk of developing a chronic kind of pain include the following:

• Injury
• Surgery
• Obesity

Chronic Pain Treatment

The treatment of chronic pain has one goal in mind: to reduce pain and allow you to return to your daily activities once again.

Unfortunately, chronic pain is a kind of pain rather than a condition in and of itself. This means that treatment plans must be adjusted according to each individual, as no one treatment will work for every single case of chronic pain.

In some cases, over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, can be helpful at reducing the symptoms of chronic pain. Some people find relief with opioid pain relievers, but the side effects can be harmful when abused.

There are also some general lifestyle changes and home remedies you can participate in to help ease the symptoms, such as engaging in physical therapy or yoga, seeing a therapist, or practicing meditation.

Ketamine for Chronic Pain Treatment

Ketamine was first approved by the FDA for use as an anesthetic, but it has also found significant use as a pain reliever over the years, with many organizations now recommending it for the treatment of chronic pain conditions.

Research into Ketamine infusions for treating pain is still ongoing, but it is generally believed that Ketamine helps to foster connections between synapses and restore damaged nerve connections, essentially “rewiring” the brain. Ketamine infusions may be particularly effective at not only treating the pain symptoms of Chronic Pain Syndrome, but also the additional depression and anxiety symptoms.

The recent FDA approval of Spravato (a Ketamine-based nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression), as well as the development of new psychedelics research centers by John Hopkins, may indicate a shift in the chronic pain treatment industry, providing innovative new options like Ketamine infusion to those who experience persistent and treatment-resistant chronic pain.

Contact us today to learn more about our innovative new treatment for chronic pain.

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That said, anxiety attacks (and panic attacks) often have unpleasant physical symptoms and can become greatly debilitating in day to day life. If you’ve ever suffered through one before, you likely want to avoid going through more in the future. Thankfully, there are lots of ways you can combat anxiety.

How to stop an anxiety attack

In-the-Moment Techniques

Here are some techniques you can try as the panic or anxiety first starts to come on.

• Breathing Techniques. For instance, you might start with alternate nostril breathing, which many people use to reduce anxiety and relax the body and mind. You might also have success with holding your breath and counting to five or ten.
• Find Your Happy Place. It’s a cliche, but it is so often invoked for a reason – it helps. If your environment is triggering your anxiety, stop for a moment. Close your eyes and picture yourself somewhere you find relaxing. Try to escape from the present moment for a period of time.
• Observe Your Environment. Inversely to the last technique, you may find yourself too centered on your own thoughts. Here you can try to pay close attention to everything going on around you – the sights, the sounds, the smells. Try to exist in the present moment and accept it for what it is.

Lifestyle Changes

• One way to support your mental health is to support your physical health. The two are closely linked. You should try to get some exercise – around 30 minutes, at least three times a week. Eat well-balanced meals and practice good sleep routines.
• Try to cut back on unhealthy habits like drinking or substance abuse, overuse of caffeine and soda, or unhealthy meals.

Treatment

A more long-term solution is finding treatment for your anxiety. Fortunately, there are lots of options ranging from antidepressant medications to ketamine infusions.

Ketamine infusions are a relatively new treatment, although ketamine has been used for anesthesia and pain relief for decades.

Ketamine Treatment for Anxiety

Research indicates that ketamine treats anxiety disorders by binding to receptors in the brain, increasing the amount of the neurotransmitter glutamate being released. This sets off a chain reaction in the brain that affects thinking and emotional regulation.

This means, in layman’s terms, that the brain reacts to ketamine infusions in a way that triggers hormones that help the brain create more positive emotions. Unlike other treatments, ketamine can provide this relief within hours or days of the first infusion, although it is most successful as a series of infusions.

Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options available to you today.

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What Causes Suicide Ideation?

There are many causes for suicidal thoughts. Most often, suicidal thoughts are a result of feeling like you cannot cope with an overwhelming life situation facing you. For instance, these thoughts may stem from financial problems, the death of a loved one, relationship issues, sexual abuse, rejection, unemployment, or a debilitating illness, to name a few. You may also be dealing with additional risk factors that increase the chances of suicide ideation. When it feels as if there is no hope for the future, suicide can mistakenly feel like the only way out. It is important to remember this is not the case and to, again, ask for help immediately.

Increased Prevalence of Suicide Ideation due to Covid-19

As a global pandemic, even the thought of Covid-19 can be overwhelming. In addition, this health crisis has fueled the greatest economic recession in modern history, unemployment rates have skyrocketed, social distancing measures have increased feelings of isolation, and in the U.S. alone 205,208 loved ones have died. During late June of 2020, 40% of U.S. adults reported struggling with mental health or substance abuse. This is a significantly larger portion of adults when compared with statistics from 2019. In essence, there is no doubt the pressures of Covid-19 have negatively affected the rates of suicide ideation. It is also important to note mental health struggles, especially during Covid-19, are disproportionately affecting young adults, hispanic persons, black persons, essential workers, unpaid caregivers, and those receiving treatment for pre-existing psychiatric conditions.

Utilizing Ketamine to Alleviate Suicide Ideation

If you have come to the decision that you could benefit from treatment, ketamine infusion therapy may be right for you. There have been multiple studies that have concluded ketamine reduces suicidal symptoms. Some patients even felt relief in as little as 4 hours post-infusion. Additionally, a single infusion can produce a decrease in suicidal thoughts for, on average, 7-14 days. There is still a lot to learn about how exactly ketamine works to decrease suicide ideation, but the facts show it is a largely effective method for many patients. Ketamine has also been proven to help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety which may directly impact the rate of suicidal thoughts.

Where to Find Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Ketamine infusion therapy is a fairly new practice, thus it is extremely important to find a certified medical professional that specializes in and has reliable experience administering the procedure. At Utica Ketamine Infusions, Dr. Hansen and his team of affiliated physicians are dedicated to providing safe, compassionate care and successful outcomes. They have administered Ketamine to over 2,000 patients and thoroughly understand the in’s and out’s of the procedure. In addition, they truly believe in the relief ketamine can provide their patients. To learn more, or to book an appointment, visit Utica Ketamine Infusions.

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What is Fibromyalgia?

It is still unclear what exactly causes fibromyalgia. Researchers believe that a combination of genetics, triggering infections, and / or physical and emotional trauma can result in fibromyalgia. Additionally, it is believed that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by altering the way your brain processes pain signals. In other words, fibromyalgia alters the brain receptors to overreact to pain signals, causing extreme sensitivity to pain. Fibromyalgia is more often found in women than men and frequently goes hand-in-hand with other disorders or health complications. People diagnosed with fibromyalgia often also struggle with tension headaches, temporomandibular joint disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression. Furthermore, researchers have found that fibromyalgia patients suffer from abnormally low levels of serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine hormones. These hormones play a huge role in regulating mood, appetite, sleep, behaviors, and the body’s response to stressful situations.

Traditional Treatment Methods

Traditional methods of treatment for fibromyalgia include a combination of medication, exercise, and stress management methods. Generally, medications include pain killers, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, anticonvulsants, and antipsychotics. Many of these medications have serious side effects and simply mask the issues caused by your fibromyalgia. Exercise is used to increase the levels of the hormone dopamine to combat depression symptoms. Lastly, stress management helps to retrain your brain to better react under stressful situations. Since stress can be a trigger for fibromyalgia, it is important to understand how your body reacts to stress and how to minimize stress in your life.

Alternative Treatment

The traditional methods of treatment for fibromyalgia have varying degrees of effectiveness. Treatment is a personal journey and what works for one patient may not work for others. Fibromyalgia is not curable, so finding a pain management solution that works for you, long-term, is important. Ketamine infusions are a fairly new form of treatment, however, studies show they may offer more long-term pain relief than traditional painkillers. Instead of simply masking the pain, ketamine works to block the NMDA receptors from receiving signals of pain. This, in addition to ketamine increasing the concentration of dopamine in the brain, allows for sustained pain relief lasting upwards of a month. It is also important to note that relief from ketamine infusions happens quickly, unlike traditional medications that may take weeks or months to show their effects. Essentially, ketamine works to reboot the brain and how it processes pain, thus decreasing the amount of medication needed on a daily basis.

Moreover, ketamine has been proven to relieve serious symptoms of depression and anxiety, which, again, often go hand-in-hand with fibromyalgia. Therefore, ketamine infusions could be a more comprehensive solution for dealing with the symptoms and effects of fibromyalgia.

Where to Find Ketamine Infusion Therapy?

If traditional treatment methods have not helped your fibromyalgia, if you are tired of taking constant medications, or if you are simply looking for an alternative solution, ketamine infusions may be right for you. With ketamine infusions being a fairly new treatment method, it is extremely important to find a certified doctor who specializes in and thoroughly understand the procedure. At Utica Ketamine Infusions, Dr. Hansen along with a team of affiliated physicians have compassionately helped more than 2,000 patients since opening six years ago. Their ample experience paired with their dedication to providing safe, successful outcomes makes them a leading provider of ketamine infusions in the state of New York. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, visit Utica Ketamine Infusions.

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What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is described as pain with a duration of three months or more. Patients suffering from it can be perplexed as its cause is often hard to identify, but it also may result in other stressors or medical issues. Once physically fit and active, chronic pain could drive you to avoid activities such as lifting weights, high-intensity workouts, everyday house chores, or tasks that are work-related. You may experience psychological and emotional shifts, anxiety, depression, mood swings, lack of appetite or binge eating, and other related problems. Persistent pain should be treated, so see a doctor when possible.

THE BEST OPTIONS FOR TREATING CHRONIC PAIN

• Ketamine infusion therapy. After ketamine proved its worth as a battlefield anesthetic for American troops in Southeast Asia in the 1960s, people soon discovered it had other psychoactive properties. In the 1970s, researchers began exploring it as a method for reducing symptoms of not only chronic pain and other physical ailments but mental health disorders, too. In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug administration approved esketamine as a nasal spray to treat depression and, potentially, other conditions.
• Over the counter (OTC) pain medication, or medicine that can be bought without a prescription. Milder forms of pain can be relieved by OTC medications like acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs relieve the pain of muscle aches and stiffness, while NSAIDs lessen inflammation and irritation. Topical pain relievers may also provide short-term, temporary relief.
• Trigger point injection is a method used to treat painful regions of muscle that contain trigger points, or clusters of muscle which form when muscles cannot relax. During this therapy, a doctor or technician, using a tiny needle, infuses a local anesthetic – sometimes sterile saltwater or a steroid is injected into a trigger point. When this happens, the trigger point becomes inactive and the discomfort is relieved. Normally, a brief treatment episode will lead to sustained relief.
• Surgical implants are rarely used but the two main kinds are intrathecal drug delivery and spinal cord stimulation implants. The first method sends medication directly into the spine; the second relies on electrical stimulation of the spinal cord and specific nerves.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy, more frequently referred to TENS, uses electrical stimulation to reduce pain. During therapy, low-voltage electrical current gets delivered through electrodes which are put on the skin by the source of pain.
• Bioelectric therapy reduces pain by delaying pain messages to your brain. Bioelectric therapy also urges the body to make chemicals called endorphins, also released through exercise, that reduce or eliminate painful feelings by blocking the communication of pain from getting delivered to your brain.
• Physical therapy helps to lessen pain by utilizing special techniques that enhance movement and function damaged by a disability or injury.
• Exercise. Short-term resting can alleviate pain, but too much rest can actually boost pain and leave you at bigger risk of injury when you again try movement. Research proves that regular exercise can reduce pain in the long run by enhancing muscle strength, tone, and flexibility.
• Psychological treatment. If you experience chronic pain, you may feel anger, sadness, hopelessness, or despair. Pain can disrupt your sleep, alter your personality, and interfere with your relationships and work. In turn, anxiety and depression, lack of sleep, and feelings of tension can make the pain even worse. After a diagnosis, your doctor may recommend different therapies, including ketamine infusion therapy or nasal spray to treat the symptoms.
• Alternative therapies like acupuncture, and some nutritional supplements. You may try osteopathic (bone) and chiropractic manipulation therapies, touch therapy, certain herbal therapies, and dietary changes to reduce pain.
• Mind-body therapies are regimens that are meant to boost your mind’s ability to affect the symptoms and functions of your body.
• Chiropractic treatment is recommended most often for non-surgical care for back pain. Some trials revealed improvements in patients after undergoing chiropractic manipulation.

CONCLUSION

If you suffer from chronic pain, don’t wait to get help. When over-the-counter pain medicine or topical creams fail to offer relief, talk to your healthcare provider about other options, including ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain. If you or a loved one have questions about the clinical use of ketamine we can help. Contact us today to learn more about the innovative new treatment option we offer.

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WHAT IS CHRONIC PAIN?

The United States National Institutes of Health calls chronic pain persistent. Pain signals fire in the nervous system for weeks on end, even years. There may have been an initial accident or there could be an ongoing cause, but some people experience pain without evidence of injury or bodily harm.

WHAT ARE CHRONIC PAIN SYMPTOMS?

Like other kinds of discomfort, chronic pain has symptoms that could be mild or serious. The pain may feel like:

• A dull, unidentifiable ache.
• Throbbing both in the affected region and other areas.
• Burning sensations.
• Pain which has the feeling of shooting, squeezing or stinging.
• Pain which is typified by stiffness or soreness.

WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF CHRONIC PAIN?

• Post-surgical pain. Whether you were hospitalized for surgery on your back, neck, or your foot, you’re at bigger risk of nerve injuries which result in constant pain.
• Kidney stones. The pain from these tiny masses, which vary in size from grains of salt to pearl size, hits fast and furious, with the lower abdomen, back, and groin area susceptible to the most discomfort. In most cases, doctors prescribe pain medicine and recommend drinking plenty of fluids and waiting. Hopefully, when you pass the stone through urine, the pain will end almost immediately. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of the danger zone. Follow-up tests of the stone will determine its composition and offer clues as to whether you’re prone to suffering from kidney stones again. Dietary changes could prevent them from happening again.
• Lower back pain. “Lower back pain is like death and taxes; everybody gets it at some point,” says Sean Mackey, MD, Ph.D., chief of the division of pain medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine. About 9 in 10 of those patients recover fairly quickly, he says, but for the remainder, the pain becomes chronic and life-altering. “The severity of the original injury and how prone you are to anxiety plays a role in whether your pain will persist,” he says. Physical therapy focused on core strengthening is one of the most effective treatments.

Today, doctors recommend a variety of over the counter pain medicine to reduce symptoms of back trouble or chronic pain, but you might also ask your healthcare provider about the benefits of ketamine infusion therapy to make the condition manageable.

• Peripheral Neuropathy is normally caused by diabetes. Damage to the tops of the nerves extending to the hands, fingers, and toes trigger this discomfort.
• Cancer Pain. Whether from the disease, procedures like chemo, or a combo of disease and treatment, some cancer victims — particularly those with advanced-stage disease — suffer terrible pain. Among the most painful cancers: brain tumors, pancreatic, and sarcomas. Doctors prescribe drugs based on the kind of pain; for instance, steroids can help pain triggered by swelling.
• Postherpetic Neuralgia is the pain that lingers in nearly 10 percent of patients who suffer from shingles, the adult version of chickenpox. Following your first episode of chickenpox, the virus lies inactive in your spinal cord and brain, and can reactivate as shingles when you age.
• Trigeminal Neuralgia. Infections, tumors, and other ailments can cause this pain in your trigeminal nerve, which delivers sensations from the face to your brain. The pain is normally throbbing, and in certain cases, happens every few minutes affecting mostly the right side of your face.
• Interstitial Cystitis. It’s a swanky way of referring to an irritated bladder.
• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. The name of this ailment may sound phony, but the pain is as real as it gets – normally occurring in a limb after simple injury or trauma—even a run-of-the-mill sprained ankle or fractured arm. The swelling and pain begins in a small region then spreads through the limb, making it feel like it’s on fire.
• Cluster Headaches are more incapacitating than a migraine, and result in sudden, razor-sharp pain that’s normally focused around an eye or one side of your head, and happen in clusters or groups for weeks or months.

HOW TO TREAT CHRONIC PAIN

If you have a higher threshold for pain, it’s only natural you ignore minor discomfort. But severe pain which lasts for months if not longer is considered chronic and needs to be treated. You can treat symptoms with over the counter medication or innovative new treatments like ketamine infusion therapy.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Chronic pain can be debilitating if left untreated. Even though it doesn’t have a single cause, its symptoms can be treated. If you’re experiencing chronic pain, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about the innovative new treatments that we offer.

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PRO: Faster Relief from OCD Symptoms

As mentioned earlier, OCD is generally treated with a combination of talk therapy and some antidepressant drugs. These drugs are not made specifically to relieve OCD symptoms, but rather have shown some success in alleviating patients. Nonetheless, around one-third of OCD patients do not experience significant relief from first-line interventions, such as CBT and antidepressant drugs. Additionally, it can take upwards of two to three months for these first-line interventions to show their benefits.

Ketamine, on the other hand, has the potential to provide rapid symptom relief to those struggling with OCD. One study shows relief from obsessions within 10 minutes of a ketamine infusion and a complete stop to obsessions 30 minutes post-infusion. The obsessions start to come back about 40 to 230 minutes post-infusion, but do not return to the base-level of obsessions until Day 7 post-infusion. In another study, the benefits of a singular ketamine infusion lasted two weeks. This is a huge pro for those diagnosed with OCD because it is a more immediate, effective solution for managing OCD symptoms.

CON: The Less Studied Alternative

            Because ketamine has just recently begun to be used to treat mental health illnesses, there are some inherent risks in the treatment. To begin, ketamine is a highly addictive drug that may result in dependence. Due to the lack of studies, we are not exactly sure how ketamine works to eliminate OCD symptoms. These two factors combined make it hard to know the long-term effects and usages for ketamine infusions. Furthermore, there are possible unpleasant side-effects from ketamine infusions. These side-effects include nausea, vomiting, and dissociation. The side-effects generally do not last much longer than an hour after infusion, however, patients are not allowed to drive for 24-hours post-infusion. With more time and clinical studies, we will begin to better understand how ketamine works and be able to utilize the drug to the best of its ability.

Where to Find Ketamine Infusion Therapy

            Have you unsuccessfully tried to alleviate your OCD symptoms with traditional antidepressants? Are you looking for a new, more immediate way to manage your OCD symptoms? If you have weighed the risks and rewards of trying ketamine infusions and believe an alternative method for dealing with OCD symptoms might be right for you, it is important to find a certified ketamine infusion clinic. At Utica Ketamine Infusions, there is a team of qualified anesthesiologists working tirelessly to bring this innovative therapy to you with compassion, care and kindness. Visit their website for more information on ketamine infusions or to schedule an appointment

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Kinds of Bipolar Disorder

According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), there are three types of bipolar disorder. All three types involve clear changes in mood, energy, and activity levels. These moods range from periods of extremely “up” (known as manic episodes) to very “down” (known as depressive episodes). Less severe manic periods are known as hypomanic episodes.

• Bipolar I Disorder is defined by manic episodes that last at least 7 days, or by manic symptoms that are so severe that the person needs immediate hospital care. Usually, depressive episodes occur as well, typically lasting at least 2 weeks. Episodes of depression with mixed features (having depressive symptoms and manic symptoms at the same time) are also possible.
• Bipolar II Disorder is defined by a pattern of depressive episodes and hypomanic episodes, but not the full-blown manic episodes that are typical of Bipolar I Disorder.
• Cyclothymic Disorder is defined by periods of hypomanic symptoms as well as periods of depressive symptoms lasting for at least 2 years, but does not meet the diagnostic requirements for a hypomanic episode and a depressive episode.

What are the symptoms?

Mania causes highly noticeable problems at work, school and social activities, as well as relationship difficulties. Mania may also trigger a break from reality (psychosis) and require hospitalization. Manic episodes can be identified by:

• Abnormally upbeat, jumpy or wired
• Increased activity, energy or agitation
• Exaggerated sense of well-being and self-confidence (euphoria)
• Decreased need for sleep
• Unusual talkativeness
• Racing thoughts
• Distractibility
• Poor decision-making

A major depressive episode, although just as likely to cause noticeable problems in your work, school, social, and love life, presents a bit differently, with symptoms such as:

• Depressed mood (feeling sad, empty, hopeless, or irritable)
• Loss of interest or feeling no pleasure in normal activities
• Significant weight loss, weight gain, or decrease or increase in appetite
• Either insomnia or sleeping too much
• Either restlessness or slowed behavior
• Fatigue or loss of energy
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt
• Decreased ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness
• Thinking about, planning or attempting suicide

What Treatment is Available?

Bipolar disorder is a lifelong illness, as episodes of mania and depression typically come back over time. Between episodes, many people with bipolar disorder are free of mood changes, but some people may have lingering symptoms. Long-term, continuous treatment can help people manage these symptoms, such as antidepressants and mood stabilizing medicines in conjunction with psychotherapy or some other form of therapy. For those who have tried (but have not responded) to this kind of protocol and are looking for new treatment options, Ketamine Infusions can help.

According to a recent study from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Ketamine may be incredibly useful for treating certain depressed bipolar disorder patients. The study, conducted on 36 subjects over the course of five years, found that ketamine helps reverse one of the key symptoms that bipolar depressed patients experience: the inability to seek or feel pleasure, medically referred to as anhedonia. In fact, there are numerous studies at world-renowned institutions and over 7 years’ worth of treatment experience in our offices that can back that up. Low-dose Ketamine Infusions alleviate suffering in over 70% of patients, and unlike other medications that can take 6-8 weeks to take effect, Ketamine can begin to work quickly, sometimes after just one or two treatments. Over 2,000 patients thus far have experienced some form of relief from Dr. Brooks’ unique, next-level protocols and compassionate, personalized care. Visit www.Uticaketamine.com to schedule your free consultation today!

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Traditional Pain Management Methods and Side-Effects

The pharmacological guidelines, for the treatment of neuropathic pain, illustrate three stages of drug therapy. The first-line of therapy includes a combination of gabapentinoids, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). These drugs often cause lethargy, nausea, and other disruptions to normal bodily functions. Lidocaine, Capsaicin, and Tramadol are the second-line treatment drugs. The second-line drugs have also been known to cause lethargy, nausea, seizures, rashes, and ataxia. Ataxia is a degenerative disease of the nervous system, an example of the harmful long-term effects these drugs can have. Lastly, the third-line of treatment includes the strong opioids Morphine and Oxycodone. These are highly addictive substances that can easily be abused if using long-term to treat chronic pain. The side effects also include lethargy, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.

Furthermore, studies show that only 30-40% of patients using a combination of these drugs experience adequate to good pain relief. You may now find yourself asking: so, is there a better way to deal with neuropathic pain? Yes, through ketamine infusion therapy.

Using Ketamine for Neuropathic Pain

            To understand why ketamine injections are a more effective treatment, it is important to understand how ketamine works in the body. Firstly, all humans have NMDA receptors that are heavily distributed in the spinal cord and brain. These receptors play an important role in communicating with the central nervous system. For people dealing with neuropathic pain, these receptors are overly active, known as the wind-up phenomena. Ketamine works to inhibit the NMDA receptors. By inhibiting the receptors, ketamine minimizes the transmission of pain signals from the brain to the NMDA receptors throughout the body. Ultimately, this decreases the amount of nerve pain felt by someone. In addition, the continuous therapeutic administration of ketamine can work to decrease the up-regulation of the NMDA receptors; thus, reducing the hypersensitivity of nerves and pain perception.

Another study showed that ketamine stimulates the innate repair receptor (IRR). This is crucial for tissue repair and anti-inflammation around nerve damage. Again, this shows that ketamine temporarily eases pain while also working to heal nerve damage and lessen it’s harmful effects in a more long-term way.

Where to Find Reliable Ketamine Therapy

            Ketamine, when used properly and administered by a trained professional, could be a great alternative path to dealing with neuropathic pain. It is important to find a doctor who specializes in ketamine infusions and you feel you can trust. With the right medical professional, you will have the opportunity to build a personal pain management plan that works for you. Dr. Philip Hansen, of Utica Ketamine Infusions, is dedicated to safely bringing this innovative therapy to patients plagued emotionally and physically by their pain. His extensive medical background paired with compassion and kindness could help improve your everyday life. If you have been struggling with neuropathic pain, or have more questions about ketamine infusions visit: http://uticaketamine.com/. You can also reach Dr. Hansen via email at info@uticaketamine.com, or by phone at (518) 500-4113.

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What is Persistent Depressive Disorder?

Also called dysthymia, PDD is a chronic form of depression. What is interesting about depressive disorders, especially PDD, is how specific to each person the disorder is. It can be caused by several different reasons: there can be a physical or chemical irregularity in the brain, genetic inheritance, or a traumatic or stressful life event.

Persistent depressive disorder can also range from mild to moderate or severe moods and can present as different symptoms in people. They tend to come in waves over a period of years and usually change intensity over time. Indicators of depression can range based on the individual inflicted with the disorder and include:

• A loss of interest in daily activities and avoidance of social activities
• Feeling emotions of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Tiredness and lack of energy or a decrease in activity or productivity
• Low self-esteem, self-criticism, or feeling incapable
• Irritability or excessive anger
• Feeling guilty or worried over the past
• Changes in appetite such as overeating or poor appetite
• Sleep problems

These symptoms can also be linked with other issues that could worsen the state of one’s mood. Other depressive, mood, mental health, personality, and anxiety disorders can affect and be paired with PDD. Reduced quality of life, substance abuse, chronic pain and other medical illnesses can also be involved.

Treatments for PDD and Other Depressive Disorders

Major variables in depressive disorders is exactly what makes treating it so difficult. Treatments can take weeks to months to gain effect or need multiple medicines and treatments to combat symptoms. This is true for the currently most effective treatments such as talk therapies, antidepressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and electroconvulsive therapy.

The time and painstaking approach of trial and error with treatments like these can lead to further complications with depressive disorders. Some patients need immediate relief to continue on with their daily lives. Moreover, side effects of the most successful treatments, like electroconvulsive therapy, may outweigh the benefits.

Other Options: Ketamine as a New Tool in Combating PDD

This is where new research with the drug ketamine comes into play. Originally used on battlefields and in operating rooms as an anesthetic, ketamine is now a promising treatment for many depressive disorder cases. It is a safe medication that has been used for over 50 years as an anesthetic agent. It has been listed on the World Health Organization’s list of “essential medicines” due to its efficacy and safety records.

Over the last 20 years, researchers have been studying a new role for ketamine in relation to brain receptors and neurotransmitters to immediately relieve patient’s depressive symptoms. Ketamine can reduce suicidal thoughts and other symptoms within the first to third treatments, and side effects appear to dissipate after the first two treatments.

The Science Behind Ketamine Treatment

There are two main types of ketamine treatments used to treat depression disorders. The first is Racemic Ketamine which is infused into the bloodstream, also known as IV ketamine. This treatment uses two ketamine molecules, R and S, that are sent to the brain through the bloodstream by intravenous.

The second type, Esketamine, uses only the S molecule and is ingested as a nasal spray. Both forms of ketamine interact differently with brain receptors and may cause different side effects. IV ketamine has been the focus of research since it has been in circulation longer than Esketamine treatment, however, we do not know which is more or less effective yet.

Research shows that ketamine creates a process called synaptogenesis, which creates a bridge of communication between blocked brain receptors. The R and S molecules target certain receptors and bind to them, thereby increasing the amount of a particular neurotransmitter called glutamate. Glutamate stimulates connections between other brain receptors to release molecules that help neurons communicate.

Ketamine also reduces signals involved in inflammation and facilitates clearer communication in specific areas of the brain. It works in multiple ways and simultaneously to create a new, more open flow of communication between receptors and neurons that effect mood, thought pattern, and cognition.

Side Effects: Compared and Contrasted

Patients may experience raises in blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, perceptual disturbances, or dissociation. However, scientists are looking towards ketamine over other treatments because the reward greatly outweighs the risk. Side effects also appear to lessen after the first infusion and do not discourage patients, unlike those associated with electroconvulsive therapy such as memory loss, confusion, physical pain, and heart problems.

Studies show that over 70% of patients suffering from depressive disorders, including and not limited to PDD, felt alleviated from their symptoms after just one or two treatments. While other treatment options may be difficult because of side effects, low doses of ketamine seem to effectively alleviate depression in many people in safer, less invasive ways.

Check it Out and Try it Out

Many doctors and clinics have urged their patients to consider and try ketamine as an option in treating their PDD. Utica Ketamine Infusions suggest trying IV ketamine as a solution to those failing with other treatments and in need of immediate relief from symptoms. Research over the last two decades shows great success rate in patients using ketamine treatments. It has become a life changing treatment for many experiencing suicidal thoughts and PDD.

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