Definition of Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a drug used to treat depression. Drugs that enter into this tricyclic antidepressant group works to increase the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, so that depressive symptoms gradually decrease.

Besides destined for depression, amitriptyline can also be used to relieve nerve pain and prevent migraines.

Warning:

• For women who are pregnant are advised not to consume amitriptyline, except at the direction of a physician. As for women who are breastfeeding, are not allowed to take this drug.
• This drug should not be used by children who were aged under 16 years.
• Please be careful if you suffer from diabetes, constipation, glaucoma, porphyria, epilepsy, adrenal gland tumors, prostate disorders, liver disorders, mental disorders, and heart problems. In addition, please be careful also if you are diagnosed to have an overactive thyroid gland.
• Taking this drug can cause drowsiness effects. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery during treatment with amitriptyline.
• If an allergic reaction or overdose, see your doctor.

Dose Amitriptyline
For the initial dose of use, amitriptyline usually given at 50-100 mg per day. This dose can be divided into multiple doses or drink well at night. If needed, the doctor may increase the dose up to 150 mg. The dose will be adjusted to the severity of the disease, health condition, and the patient's response to medication.

For people who have aged or elderly, amitriptyline usually given in lower doses, which is about 10-25 mg three times a day. The doctor can increase the dosage gradually if necessary. For seniors intolerant of high doses of amitriptyline maximum dose limit is 50 mg per day.

Consuming Amitriptyline Properly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information on the packaging amitriptyline before starting to eat.

Amitriptyline can be consumed before or after meals.

Make sure there are enough interval between the doses with subsequent doses. Try to take amitriptyline at the same time each day to maximize its effect.

For patients who forget to take amitriptyline, are advised to drink so remember if the schedule is not too close to the next dose. Do not double the next dose of amitriptyline on schedule to replace the missed dose.

Amitriptyline may make its skin becomes more sensitive to sunlight. If you experience it, avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen.

You are advised to abstain from alcohol during treatment with amitriptyline. Alcohol can increase the risk of adverse effects on the users of this drug.

Treatment with amitriptyline usually take place in the long term. Do not stop using this medication or change the dose without first asking your doctor to avoid unwanted side effects.

Amitriptyline efficacy will not be immediately felt when a new use. Positive effect on average just beginning to be felt after 1-2 weeks, while for the maximum benefit can only be seen after 4-6 weeks of use.

While undergoing treatment with amitriptyline, do not forget to keep a regular check-up so that the doctor can monitor the progress of your condition.

Immediately call your doctor if your depression increased after taking this medicine, especially if you are to want to hurt themselves or intend to commit suicide.

Recognize Amitriptyline Side Effects and Hazards
Just like other drugs, amitriptyline also has the potential to cause side effects. There are some side effects that can occur after taking this antidepressant medication.

• Sleepy
• Dizziness when getting out of bed
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth

Thus understanding Amitriptyline. Hope you can benefit from this article.

Diarrhea in Infants

Currently, diarrhea is still one of the most causes of death in infants. In general, children with diarrhea and aged 1 to 4 years will lead to dehydration.

What are the causes of diarrhea?
Diarrhea in infants can be caused by many things, ranging from intestinal infections to dietary changes, among others:

• Parasitic infections, bacteria, or viruses. Infants and toddlers are many touches an object that is not necessarily susceptible to infection because the net would often put his hands dirty to the mouth. In addition, their immune systems are still in the developing stage also makes them more susceptible to contracting the disease.
• Food poisoning.
• Too much fruit juice.
• Allergies to certain drugs.
• Allergies to certain foods.

Babies who are able to digest solid food and is experiencing diarrhea should temporarily stay away from greasy foods, high-fiber, which is as sweet as pie and milk products. This is because these foods may aggravate the symptoms of their diarrhea.

Texture Detect Feces in Infants
The best way to detect this disease is to look at changes in color and shape of the baby feces as early as possible. Baby feces generally change color, smell, and texture in accordance with the foodstuffs consumed. Feces were turned into a thinner, more, or more often is the frequency of the main symptoms of diarrhea.

But be careful to distinguish the infants consuming breast milk (ASI), which generally also produce a more liquid stools. Instead, stool-shaped small dots be indicative of the condition of constipation.

Here is the color of feces that can be a guide to detect the baby's condition:

• Brown: commonly found in infants who consume formula.
• Blackish green: also called meconium, the stool that appears when the new-born.
• Brownish green: the color of stool after birth infants consuming breast milk.
• Yellow-green: the color of the baby feces approximately five days after birth.
• Other colours: brown baby's stools will be concentrated if it is eating solid foods. This color will change according to the type of food they consume.

Recognize Symptoms and Effects Diarrhea
If your baby is less than six months old and has diarrhea, check with your doctor, especially if you experience symptoms such as the following:

• Experienced vomiting.
• Looked lethargic.
• Black stools, or red because it contains blood.
• There is pus in the stool baby.
• Stomach ache.
• Fever above 39 degrees C.

When the baby diarrhea, the balance of water and salt (electrolytes) in the body disturbed. This condition can lead to dehydration which can be life threatening, especially in newborns.

There are several symptoms of dehydration in infants should clearly recognizable:

• Dry mouth condition.
• No tears when crying out.
• Urinating less than usual.
• Skin feels dry.

Every parent needs to be aware of dehydration in infants who were diarrhea due to dehydration can quickly worsen the condition of the baby's body.


Handle Dehydration in Infants
To prevent the condition getting worse, there are some things you can do to deal with dehydration in infants:

• You need to continue to provide breast milk to meet the needs of body fluids.
• Dilute or add water to the formula if the baby is not breastfed. If possible, replace the formula with lactose-free milk until the diarrhea stops. Baby's body is more difficult to digest lactose, so it can worsen diarrhea.
• Avoid giving juices or carbonated beverages.
• Give ORS regularly along with baby food (milk, formula mixed with water, or complementary foods).
• Attain the room was always cool and keep the baby from sun exposure to avoid excessive sweating.

Immediately brought to the hospital when her condition deteriorated.

Care in the Hospital
Especially for infants with diarrhea, generally need to be hospitalized to use the infusion. Your doctor will probably prescribe antibiotics or anti-parasitic drugs to deal with bacterial or parasitic infection. ORS may also be given. ORS is a fluid containing electrolytes to prevent dehydration.

Preventing Diarrhea
Here are some preventive measures that can be taken to prevent diarrhea:

• Wash hands regularly infants or toddlers, especially after playing.
• Adults who care for infants or toddlers also need to keep it clean so as not to transmit microorganisms that can cause infection in infants.
• Keep floors and objects that hold your baby or toddler is always clean.
• If the baby is taking breastmilk or formula milk, always ensure cleanliness and sterility bottles used.
• Note the cleanliness of food and drink given to babies and toddlers. Avoid giving foods commonly consumed by adults.