When doctors recommend citicoline, a drug that can nourish brain cells and improve brain circulation, everyone must have been wondering: Can this drug be eaten for a long time? Are there any side effects?
At some point in our lives, we or someone close to us may have suffered from problems with the brain.
The memory of the old man at home is getting worse and worse, and the things he just said are forgotten in an instant; After the head injury of friends and relatives, the response becomes slow, which is worrying.
What is citicoline? What does it do?
Citicoline is a commonly used drug in neurology and rehabilitation.
The cells in our brain are like busy little employees who need adequate nutrition and a good working environment to do their jobs well.
Citicoline, it’s like a great steward to provide these small employees with quality resources and comfortable office conditions.
In principle, citicoline is involved in the synthesis of lecithin, which is a key component of the cell membrane of the brain, so it’s like building a solid house for the brain cells.
It also promotes energy metabolism in the brain, providing cells with enough energy to make them work harder.
Citicoline can improve blood circulation to the brain, so that oxygen and nutrients can be more smoothly transported to the brain, ensuring that the cells have enough “food” supply.
In what cases does a doctor recommend long-term citicoline?
Cerebrovascular disease convalescence
For example, in patients with cerebral infarction, some brain regions are damaged due to ischemia and hypoxia after the onset.
Citicoline can help repair and regenerate damaged nerve cells and promote the recovery of nerve function.
In the recovery period, doctors may let patients continue to take citicoline for months or more, like rebuilding a damaged city, you have to step by step, and the brain needs to recover for a long time.
Traumatic brain injury recovery stage
After a head injury, brain tissue will be damaged to varying degrees, and there may be problems such as memory loss and cognitive impairment.
Citicoline can reduce the adverse changes after brain injury and promote the rehabilitation of nerve function.
Long-term administration of citicoline is also a common treatment for patients recovering from traumatic brain injury.
Degenerative diseases of nervous system
For diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, although citicoline cannot be completely cured, it can alleviate symptoms and delay the development of the disease to a certain extent.
For such patients, doctors will consider long-term citicoline to maintain brain function, depending on the circumstances.
What is risk of taking citicoline for a long time?
Gastrointestinal discomfort
Long-term eating citicoline, the most common adverse reactions are gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting, do not want to eat and so on.
It’s like when we feed the imagination, we accidentally put a burden on the stomach.
Other uncomfortable symptoms
Some patients may also have dizziness, insomnia and other conditions.
Although these reactions are usually mild, if they persist, they can affect your quality of life and can be unpleasant.
Tolerance and dependence
Although citicoline is not as addictive as some psychotropic drugs, the body may develop tolerance after long-term use.
That is to say, eating, the same dose of medicine may not be as good as the beginning.
What else can you do besides take medicine?
Medication is only part of the equation, but rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments are also key.
Rehabilitation training
Cognitive training, sports training, etc., can exercise the brain and improve physical coordination.
For example, playing some memory games and doing simple body movements can help restore brain function.
Healthy lifestyle
Keep a reasonable diet, eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc. Moderate exercise, such as walking, jogging, yoga are good;
Get enough sleep to rest your brain.
These are all good for brain health.
Citicoline, as a drug for nourishing brain cells and improving brain circulation, really needs to be taken for a long time in many cases to achieve good therapeutic effects. But there are risks and caveats to long-term use.
When taking citicoline, you should pay more attention to your body’s reaction, consult a doctor regularly, and maintain good communication.
It can not only play the therapeutic role of drugs, but also reduce adverse reactions and make the brain healthier.
