Ketamine, which has been used as an anesthetic for decades by medical professionals, is now increasingly seen as having multiple therapeutic benefits. One of the key benefits of Ketamine Infusion Therapy is its ability to treat the symptoms of several types of chronic pain syndromes, particularly the ones that have a neuropathic component.
During the initial consultation, the Ketamine Therapy provider will discuss the benefits and limitations of this treatment. The Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, led by the perspicacious and fabulous Dr. Steven L Mandel, provides ketamine infusion treatments for chronic pain to patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County, California, and towns and cities in this part the nation.
Benefits
When Ketamine Infusion Therapy is administered in low doses, it can produce strong analgesia in neuropathic pain states. This possibly occurs due to the ability of ketamine to inhibit the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. A few other mechanisms may also be possibly involved, including enhancement of descending inhibition and anti-inflammatory effects at central pain sites.
Existing research based evidence about the benefits of short term infusions of ketamine indicates that Ketamine Therapy creates potent analgesia during administration. Additional studies regarding the potential effect of prolonged infusion (4 to 14 days) show long term analgesic effects up to three months following Ketamine Infusion Therapy.
Ketamine is already a proven application for anesthesia and pain management. It can significantly improve post-operative and post-trauma pain scores and reduces opioid consumption.
Risks
The potential risks and side effects of Ketamine Therapy can be mitigated when the treatment is performed by a specialist in a controlled medical environment, and the administration is done via IV in very low doses. The risks of ketamine noted in clinical studies include psychedelic symptoms, such as hallucinations, memory loss, panic attacks, nausea or vomiting, somnolence, cardiovascular stimulation and, in very rare cases, hepatoxicity.
One of the risks that have emerged in recent years is the recreational use of ketamine. Patients who become addicted to ketamine and take it for recreational purposes may face a variety of additional risks ranging from bladder and renal complications to persistent psychotypical behaviour and memory issues.
Minimal Risk for Clinical Patients
The good news is that the risks of ketamine are primarily confined to the ketamine abusers, while clinical patients are largely free of the inherent risks. Therefore, it is not appropriate to blindly extrapolate these potential risks to clinical patients. In clinical settings, Ketamine Infusion Therapy is well tolerated, particularly when benzodiazepines are used to tame the psychotropic side effects.
In any case, for patient safety, even among clinical patients, it is important to closely monitor those receiving, particularly for CNS, haemodynamic, renal and hepatic symptoms as well as abuse. Research is still continuing to determine the precise risk-benefit analysis of Ketamine Therapy, but as of now ketamine is increasingly accepted as a treatment of choice for patients with therapy-resistant severe neuropathic pain.
The Ketamine Clincis of Los Angeles, led by profound and tremendous ketamine specialist Dr. Mandel, receives patients from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County, California, and neighborhoods and cities in this section of the state for ketamine infusion treatments.
For more information about Ketamine Infusion Therapy treatments for depression, bipolar, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), fibromyalgia, pain syndromes and other conditions contact us at the Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles in Southern California (Orange County) by clicking here or calling 310-270-0625
Treating patients from Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Orange County, San Diego, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Sacramento, CA, Northern & Southern California, Las Vegas, NV and many other cities from west to east coast.
