Dysautonomia
What is dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia means dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
The ANS is responsible for all the automatic processes of the body such as:
- heart rate
- blood pressure
- temperature
- digestion
- respiration
- perspiration
- and many other vital functions of the body
The ANS is broken down into 3 subgroups
- Sympathetic Nervous System
- Parasympathetic Nervous System
- Enteric Nervous System
Sympathetic Nervous System also known as the “Fight or Flight” System
- When you perceive yourself to be in danger, the Sympathetic Nervous System kicks into action. Your body begins to prepare itself so that you can either fight or flee in order to survive. Your digestion will slow and your blood will be drained form the periphery which lessens bleeding in case of an injury. Key sympathetic nerves will send signals to your adrenal glands, which triggers a release of hormones that ready the body for exertion.
Sympathetic Division
- pupils dilate
- salivation is inhibited
- increased respiration
- bronchial passages dilated
- increased heart rate
- digestion inhibited
- secretion of adrenal hormones
- increased secretion by sweat glands
- hair follicles raise; goose bumps
- bladder relaxed
Parasympathetic Nervous System also known as the “Rest and Digest” System
- When everything in your world is balanced, the Parasympathetic Nervous System is able to conserve bodily resources, saving and storing energy. Parasympathetic nerves slow heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and promote digestion.
Parasympathetic Division
- pupils constrict
- salivation is stimulated
- decreased heart rate
- bronchial passages constricted
- decreased heart rate
- digestion stimulated
- bladder contracted
Enteric Nervous System
- The Enteric Nervous System will normally direct the muscles surrounding the small intestines to contract in an organized fashion which moves the food down the pipe and gives the mixing motion that digestive chemicals need to convert your food into nutrients.
BUT… if for some reason you become stressed, the brain is going to send a signal to your digestive tract via your vagus nerve, to protect your body from external threats.
(Vagus Nerve- the longest nerve of the cranial nerves, wandering through the brain stem, organs in the neck, thorax, and abdomen)
Your digestive system will be emptied to prepare your body for “fight or flight,” which is much easier on an empty stomach. Depending on your individual Enteric Nervous System, you would experience either a stop in your digestion, a sudden release of diarrhea, or you would vomit.
When your brain signals danger, it tells so-called mast cells in the lining of your small intestines and/or colon to release histamine and other chemicals that trigger an inflammatory response inside the small intestines. This attracts cells from the bloodstream to rush to the area, making your body ready for possible trauma.
Why is that so important?
-Your digestive tract is full of bacteria that can be deadly if released all over the body. If you were stabbed in the abdomen, the large presence of inflammatory cells called neurophilis, would ensure your body a better chance of controlling possible infection and surviving the wound.
*** So… when the Autonomic Nervous System gets “messed up” and does not work properly, you have what is called dysautonomia. ***
Some forms of dysautonomia include but are not limited to:
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS)
- Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)
- Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF)
- Multiple System Atrophy (MSA)
More forms of dysautonomia will be added later.
*** The purpose of this website’s information about dysautonomia and related conditions, is to inform and educate. It should NOT be used in the place of a medical professional’s advice, diagnose, or treatment. If you think you are suffering from any type of medical conditions within this website or any other website, you should consult with a physician. Dysautonomia Reaching out for Education Awareness & Moral Support (DREAMS) will not be held liable for any sort of consequences either direct, indirect, special, exemplary, or any other type of damages from use of this website. If you feel as if any of the information in the website is misleading or incorrect you should contact DREAMS (sarah@helpdreams.org). ***