Vasoconstriction is a narrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contracting of the muscular wall of the vessels. When blood vessels constrict, the flow of blood is restricted or slowed. It is the opposite of vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels. Factors causing vasoconstriction are called vasoconstrictor, also vasopressors or simply pressors. Vasoconstriction usually results in an increase of the blood pressure. Vasoconstriction may be slight or severe. Many vasoconstrictors also cause pupil dilation. Vasoconstriction in the penis can disable males from maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction). It may result from disease, medication, or psychological conditions. Medications that cause vasoconstriction include antihistamines, decongestants, methylphenidate (commonly used for ADHD), cough and cold combinations, pseudoephedrine, and caffeine. The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring arterial pressure. ...

General mechanism

Vasoconstriction is mostly the result of increased intracellular concentration of calcium (Ca²⁺ions). However, specific mechanisms for generating an increased intracellular concentration of calcium depends on the vasoconstrictor. In any case, this calcium results in contraction of smooth muscle (see Smooth muscle for details), resulting in a constriction of the vessel. For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... Smooth muscle Layers of Esophageal Wall: 1. ... Smooth muscle Layers of Esophageal Wall: 1. ...

Factors and individual mechanisms

Factors that trigger vasoconstriction can be of exogenous origin, such as medication and endogenous as well, as a response from the body itself. Vasoconstriction can happen because of the severe heat.

Medication

Examples include amphetamines, antihistamines and cocaine. Many are used in medicine to treat hypotension and as topical decongestants. Vasoconstrictors are also used clinically to increase blood pressure or to reduce local blood flow. Amphetamine or Amfetamine(Alpha-Methyl-PHenEThylAMINE), also known as beta-phenyl-isopropylamine and benzedrine, is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. ... An H1 antihistamine is a histamine antagonist which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the H1 receptor. ... For other uses, see Cocaine (disambiguation). ... In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. ... Topical decongestants are decongestants applied directly to the nasal cavity. ... A sphygmomanometer, a device used for measuring arterial pressure. ...

The routes of administration varies. They may be both systemic and topical. For example, pseudoephedrine is available systemic (i.e. orally ingested tablets like Sudafed), and topical (such as nose sprays like phenylephrine Neo-synephrine, and eye drops for pupil dilation purposes) In pharmacology and toxicology, a route of administration is the path by which a drug, fluid, poison or other substance is brought into contact with the body. ... Pseudoephedrine (commonly abbreviated as PSE) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. ... Sudafed is a brand name and registered trademark for a family of over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants based on pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and manufactured by Pfizer Inc. ... Phenylephrine or Neo-Synephrine is an α-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil and to increase blood pressure. ... Categories: Medicine stubs | Sign (medicine) ...

Examples include: "Where are the ↑ ↓ 's ?"

Amphetamine or Amfetamine(Alpha-Methyl-PHenEThylAMINE), also known as beta-phenyl-isopropylamine and benzedrine, is a prescription stimulant commonly used to treat Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. ... An H1 antihistamine is a histamine antagonist which serves to reduce or eliminate effects mediated by histamine, an endogenous chemical mediator released during allergic reactions, through action at the H1 receptor. ... For other uses, see Cocaine (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Caffeine (disambiguation). ... A decongestant is a broad class of drugs designed to symptomatically treat ailments affecting the respiratory system. ... LSA, also known as d-lysergic acid amide, d-lysergamide, ergine, and LA-111, is an alkaloid of the ergoline family that occurs in various species of vines of the Convolvulaceae and some species of fungi. ... Lysergic acid diethylamide, commonly called LSD, LSD-25, or acid. ... LSA is an acronym standing for: LHC Software Applications (computer software package to control the Large Hadron Collider) Late Stone Age (Neolithic) Latent semantic analysis Linear successive approximation Latvijas Studentu apvienība Law and Society Association Learn and Serve America Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (Skin disease) Light-sport Aircraft Linguistic... Vitamin R redirects here. ... Phenylephrine or Neo-Synephrine is an α-adrenergic receptor agonist used primarily as a decongestant, as an agent to dilate the pupil and to increase blood pressure. ... Pseudoephedrine (commonly abbreviated as PSE) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a decongestant. ... Sustained-Release 15mg Dexedrine Spansules. ... Tetrahydrozoline is a derivative of imidazoline, which is found in over-the-counter eyedrops and nasal sprays. ... Psilocybin (also known as psilocybine) is a psychedelic alkaloid of the tryptamine family, found in psilocybin mushrooms. ...

Endogenous

Vasoconstriction is a procedure of the body that avoids orthostatic hypotension. It is a part of a body negative feed back loop in which the body tries to restore homeostasis.

For example, vasoconstriction is a hypothermic preventative in which the blood vessels constrict and blood must move at a higher pressure to actively avoid a hypoxic reaction. ATP is used as a form of energy to increase this pressure to heat the body. Once homeostasis is restored the blood pressure and ATP production regulates. Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleotide that is most important as a molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ...

Vasoconstriction also occurs in superficial blood vessels of warm-blooded animals when their ambient environment is cold; this process diverts the flow of heated blood to the center of the animal, preventing the loss of heat. A warm-blooded (homeothermic) animal is one that can keep its core body temperature at a nearly constant level regardless of the temperature of the surrounding environment (that is, to maintain thermal homeostasis) . This can involve not only the ability to generate heat, but also the ability to cool down...

Voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCC) are a group of voltage-gated ion channels found in excitable cells (neurons, glial cells, muscle cells, etc. ... Adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP) is a multifunctional nucleotide that is most important as a molecular currency of intracellular energy transfer. ... P2X receptors are a family of cation-permeable ligand gated ion channels that open in response to extracellular adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP). ... In medical terms, stress is the disruption of homeostasis through physical or psychological stimuli. ... Molecular structure of ADMA Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a naturally occurring chemical found in blood plasma. ...

Others

This cosmetics store has lighting levels over twice recommended levels and sufficient to trigger headaches and other health effects Over-illumination is the presence of lighting intensity (illuminance) beyond that required for a specified activity. ... Roadway noise is the main source of exposure Noise health effects, the collection of health consequences of elevated sound levels, constitute one of the most widespread public health threats in industrialized countries. ...

Pathology

Vasoconstriction can be a contributing factor to erectile dysfunction.^[3] Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is a sexual dysfunction characterized by the inability to develop or maintain an erection of the penis. ...

An increase of blood flow in the penis that builds up causes an erection, however if the body is not functioning properly the blood vessels in the penis activate and allow less blood to pool, meaning the erection goes down prematurely or simply fails to completely go up. This does not necessarily mean that the person in question is not aroused, it is a lapse in judgement between the Central Nervous System [CNS] and the Peripheral Nervous System [PNS] . When blood pools in the penis the body reacts to the excessive heat to cool it, resulting in vasoconstriction.

References

This article is about the Male sex. ...

See also

• Addison's disease
• Inotrope
• Hypotension
• Nitric oxide
• Pheochromocytoma
• Shock
• Vasodilation
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome

Addisons disease(also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism or hypocorticism) is a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal gland produces insufficient amounts of steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids). ... An inotrope is an agent which increases or decreases the force or energy of muscular contractions. ... In physiology and medicine, hypotension refers to an abnormally low blood pressure. ... R-phrases , , , , S-phrases , , , Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 Â°C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references Nitric oxide or Nitrogen monoxide is a chemical compound with chemical formula NO. This gas is an important signaling molecule in the body of... A phaeochromocytoma (pheochromocytoma in the US) is a neuroendocrine tumor of the medulla of the adrenal glands originating in the chromaffin cells, which secretes excessive amounts of catecholamines, usually adrenaline and noradrenaline (epinephrine and norepinephrine in the US). ... This article is about the medical condition. ... The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (or POTS) is a condition of orthostatic intolerance in which a change from the supine position to an upright position causes an abnormally large increase in heart rate, often, but not always accompanied by a fall in blood pressure. ...

External links

• Definition of Vasoconstriction on HealthScout
• Cannabis arteritis revisited--ten new case reports
• Are coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease associated with tobacco or cannabis consumption
• Vasoconstrictor effects of Cannabis appear to inhibit Migraine (headache) attacks