alpha-adrenergic blocking agent

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Explanation of "Alpha-Adrenergic Blocking Agent"

Definition: An "alpha-adrenergic blocking agent" is a type of medicine (or drug) that works by blocking certain receptors in the body called alpha-adrenergic receptors. These receptors are involved in controlling how blood vessels and muscles react to certain signals. By blocking these receptors, the medicine helps to relax the muscles in the prostate and bladder, which can help men who have problems like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that makes it hard to urinate.

Usage Instructions:

• When Used: These medications are typically prescribed for men experiencing difficulties with urination due to an enlarged prostate.
• How to Take: Always follow your doctor's instructions on how to take this medication. It may be taken as a pill or sometimes as an injection.

Example:

• Sentence: "After discussing his symptoms with his doctor, John was prescribed an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent to help relieve his urinary problems."

Advanced Usage:

• In medical contexts, you might encounter the term "alpha-1 adrenergic blockers," which is a specific category of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents that particularly target the alpha-1 receptors in the prostate and bladder.

Word Variants:

• Alpha-adrenergic receptor: The specific receptor that is blocked by these agents.
• Adrenergic: Referring to nerves that release adrenaline (epinephrine) or related substances.

Different Meanings:

• The term "alpha" can also refer to the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as well as in other contexts like "alpha male," which describes a dominant individual in social behavior.

Synonyms:

• Alpha blockers
• Alpha-adrenergic antagonists

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

This term is quite specialized and does not have common idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, but in medical discussions, you might hear phrases like "block the receptors" or "relieve symptoms."

Summary:

An "alpha-adrenergic blocking agent" is a medicine that helps to make urination easier for men with prostate problems by relaxing certain muscles in the body.

Academic

Noun

1. any of various drugs that block alpha-adrenergic receptors; used in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia; relaxes the muscles of the prostate and bladder

Synonyms

• alpha blocker
• alpha-blocker
• alpha-adrenergic blocker