how does epinephrine work during accidents and emergencies?

Answer 1

In a panic situation; there is increased neuron firing in the brain. This causes the pituitary gland to think that there is some sort of emergency. It then releases hormones telling the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline or epinephrine. This has many effects on the body– liver releases sugar into the blood for extra energy, pupils dilate, heart beat increases, breathing tube open more; thus rapid breathing; sweating occurs and nerve cells speed up.

Epinephrine is also responsible for that euphoric effect created by dopamine. in the brain. And for that " flight or fight action in an emergency situation. The adrenaline or epinephrine rush is then responsible for the increased activity of the person involved.

Answer 2

Epinephrine is a "fight or flight" hormone which is released from the adrenal glands when danger threatens. When secreted into the bloodstream, it rapidly prepares the body for action in emergency situations. The hormone boosts the supply of oxygen and energy-giving glucose to the brain and muscles; some bodily processes not vital to the response are suppressed.

Epinephrine plays a central role in the short-term stress reaction—the physiological response to threatening, exciting, or environmental stressor conditions such as high noise levels or bright light (see Fight-or-flight response). It is secreted by the adrenal medulla. When released into the bloodstream, epinephrine binds to multiple receptors and has numerous effects throughout the body. It increases heart rate and stroke volume, dilates the pupils, and constricts arterioles in the skin and gut while dilating arterioles in leg muscles. It elevates the blood sugar level by increasing catalysis of glycogen to glucose in the liver, and at the same time begins the breakdown of lipids in fat cells. Like some other stress hormones, epinephrine has a suppressive effect on the immune system.

Epinephrine is used as a drug to treat cardiac arrest and other cardiac dysrhythmias resulting in diminished or absent cardiac output; its action is to increase peripheral resistance via alpha-stimulated vasoconstriction, so that blood is shunted to the body's core. This beneficial action comes with a significant negative consequence—increased cardiac irritability—which may lead to additional complications immediately following an otherwise successful resuscitation. Alternatives to this treatment include vasopressin, a powerful antidiuretic which also increases peripheral vascular resistance leading to blood shunting via vasoconstriction, but without the attendant increase in myocardial irritability.

Because of its suppressive effect on the immune system, epinephrine is used to treat anaphylaxis and sepsis. Allergy patients undergoing immunotherapy may receive an epinephrine rinse before the allergen extract is administered, thus reducing the immune response to the administered allergen. It is also used as a bronchodilator for asthma if specific beta2-adrenergic receptor agonists are unavailable or ineffective. Adverse reactions to epinephrine include palpitations, tachycardia, anxiety, headache, tremor, hypertension, and acute pulmonary edema.