PANS & SANS

Parasympathetic Nervous System
(Rest & Digest)

Sympathetic Nervous System
(Fight or Flight)

Funtions

Funcitons

activates the fight or flight response

takes over in stressful situations

mainly comes out of the thoracic & lumbar regions of the spinal cord

activates the rest and digest response

activates when the body is at peace

mainly originates in the brain

Symptoms

pupil constriction

increased saliva

activates & increases digestion

normal heart rate and/or (bradycardia)

Symptoms

pupil dilation

decreased saliva

rapid heart rate

HBP

Ganglia

SHORT preganglionic neurons & LONG post ganglionic neurons

acetylcholine = pre ganglionic neurotransmitters

norepinephrine = post ganglionic neurotransmitters

Drugs

Sympathomimetic (adrenergic agonist)

increases sympathetic response

mimics the sympathetic nervous system

happens when the PNS is too restful

Ex of what sympathomimetic drugs do: Dopamine : Increase BP ; Norepinephrine : Increase BP ; Epinephrine : Bronchodilation

Sympatholytic (adrenergic antagonists)

blocks sympathetic response

mimics the PNS

used when SNS is in overdrive

Ex of what sympatholytic drugs do: Drugs are used to treat high BP, anxiety : lower heart rate

Ganglia

Acetylcholine = pre ganglionic neurotransmitter

Cholinergic = post ganglionic neurotransmitter

Drugs

Parasympathomimetic (cholinergic drugs)

Parasympatholytic (anticholinergic drugs)

Examples of what Parasympathomimetic drugs do:


Pyridostigimine


Pilocapine to treat xerostomia

Examples of what parasympatholytic drugs do:


Ipratropium : Bronchodilation
Atropine : Increase heart rate, dilate pupils

Drugs that are used to mimic the sympathetic nervous system when the body is too restful.

Blocks parasympathetic response

Drugs that mimic the parasympathetic nervous system

used when the sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive.

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