Posted by Bob P (129.65.46.87) on October 06, 1999 at 10:25:00:
In Reply to: Pituitary and hypothalamus connected posted by Bobbie P. on October 06, 1999 at 01:42:01:
My reading last nite said the pituatary "used" to be considered the master gland. It is now known that the hypothalamus controls the pituatary. The nerves receive stimuli from the surroundings, send impulses to the hypo and the hypo tells the pit to excrete certain hormones. Most hormones deal with growth and sex. Example: the mom hears the baby cry, the nerves send this signal to the hypo, the hypo tells the pit so send out the lactating hormon and the mom begins to express milk. Having done my time with LaLeche League, I've seen the moms squirting across the room before they could even get the baby to the nipple.
My take on this is something causes the neurons to not produce or not release serotonin. Serotonin tells the smooth muscle surrounding the blood vessels to constrict. Not enough and they dialate. This pressure causes the neurons to send the pain signal to the hypo. We stop the apin by taking serotonin (5-HT) agonists (things that act like serotonin) which attach to the 5-HT receptor site and tell the vesels to constrict, relieving the pressure and stopping the pain.
Why the lowered 5-HT? Wht the circadian rhythm of the headaches? That's the direction I'm taking.
BTW yes my first wife was Bobbie P but I was just joking when I said you may be her. She's in Mississippi.
LYG
Bob P