Serotonin Syndrome

Identifying The Symptoms

Written by Fred McConnell

Serotonin syndrome can potentially be fatal, and is most certainly unpleasant, so it is imperative that people at risk of developing serotonin syndrome -- for the most part people taking serotonin-affecting anti-depressants -- be aware of its symptoms. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain. This means that serotonin is a messenger chemical, relaying information among the various cells of the brain. Nearly every part of the brain is influenced by serotonin in some manner, but mood is particularly linked to serotonin. The appropriate level of serotonin in the brain can help foster feelings of well-being, confidence and contentment. Low levels of serotonin can contribute to serious psychological problems such as depression and mood disorders. The importance of serotonin to mood explains why so many of the most popular antidepressants on the market incorporate serotonin-affecting drugs. Most of these drugs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin by the neural cells of the brain. This leaves more serotonin available in the brain, thus improving the patient's mood and sense of well-being. However, sometimes patients do not adjust well to their first experience with these antidepressants or changes in their dosage. This can contribute to serotonin syndrome, an excess of serotonin in the brain which causes some of its functions to go haywire. Serotonin syndrome occurs most often within the first few weeks of treatment using serotonin-affecting antidepressants or changes in the dosage of these drugs. Serotonin syndrome can cause severe discomfort and mental agitation, and left untreated, serotonin syndrome can be fatal. For people taking serotonin-affecting medications, knowing and understanding the symptoms of serotonin syndrome is important. Understanding the symptoms Serotonin syndrome symptoms commonly occur within a few minutes up to a few hours of taking drugs that interact to cause the condition. Symptoms can range from mild symptoms to severe symptoms. The most common symptoms of serotonin syndrome include sudden, jerky movements, nausea, agitation or confusion, anxiety and headache. In mild cases of serotonin syndrome, the patient may only suffer from symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and mild fever. In more severe cases, patients may suffer from symptoms such as hallucinations, seizures and even coma. Here's an example of a case of serotonin syndrome: A female patient who recently begun treatment with an SSRI began feeling ill within a few days of beginning treatment. Her initial symptoms were nausea and headache, but later more serious symptoms such as sudden, jerky movements, pallor, profuse sweating and irregular heartbeat occurred. The patient sought medical attention from a health care provider and disclosed to the health care provider that she had also been taking an MAOI for headache. After ruling out other potential conditions, the health care provider began treatment for serotonin syndrome. As mentioned before, serotonin syndrome most commonly occurs shortly after the start of or a change in dosage of serotonin-affecting antidepressants. When seeking medical attention for symptoms that fall in line with serotonin syndrome, its important for the patient or another party to inform the health care provider of his or her drug history, including any illegal drugs the patient may have taken. The patient should also inform the health care provider of any dietary supplements he or she may be taking, as supplements such as St. John's Wort can affect serotonin levels. Knowledge of the patient's drug history can help the health care provider more quickly arrive at a diagnosis, and aid him or her in quickly treating the problem. In most cases, treatment for serotonin syndrome involves getting the serotonin-affecting chemicals out of the body and mitigating the more severe symptoms of the condition. As serotonin-affecting antidepressants have become more commonly prescribed, the incidence of serotonin syndrome has increased. In 2005, more than 7,000 cases of serotonin syndrome were reported to emergency medical providers and more than 100 deaths occurred. These numbers are expected by experts to rise. Serotonin syndrome awareness among medical personnel remains low, so it may be incumbent upon patients to lead their health care providers to the proper diagnosis by providing information about their health history and the possibility that they have serotonin syndrome. For many people, serotonin-affecting antidepressants can significantly improve their quality of life. In some cases, these drugs are the difference between life and death. With all medical treatments, however, there is a risk. Knowing the symptoms of serotonin syndrome can help patients taking these drugs and their family and loved ones to move quickly in order to avoid tragedy.

 

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