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Dysautonomia -

Dysautonomia refers to a group of illnesses that can occur when the automatic nervous system isn’t working properly.

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Automatic nervous system -

These include breathing, heartbeat, and digestion. If the ANS isn’t working properly, then you can experience issues with breathing, heart and blood pressure, and bladder control. The automatic nervous system (ANS) regulates functions in the body that happen automatically. 

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Primary dysautonomia -

Dysautonomia can present itself in two different ways. One is primary dysautonomia, which means that it is its own disorder and there aren’t other diseases present.

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Secondary dysautonomia -

Secondary dysautonomia is when someone has another illness or disease and dysautonomia occurs as a condition of it. Many common illnesses include dysautonomia as a potential side effect.

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Associated illnesses -

These include diabetes, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, HIV, Lyme disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, Vitamin B and E deficiencies, and many more.

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Who gets it? -

Dysautonomia is a relatively common condition, affecting approximately 70 million people worldwide. It’s something you can be born with, develop slowly as you age, or be struck with suddenly later in life. It affects men and women equally.

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How serious is it? -

For some people, their symptoms will be very mild and have minimal effect on their quality of life. For others, it can be extremely severe, or even fatal.

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What causes it? -

Dysautonomia occurs when the nerves in your ANS don’t communicate properly with other parts of your body. This can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

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The symptoms -

These ANS malfunctions can disrupt blood pressure, breathing, digestion, heart rate, kidney functioning, pupil dilation, sexual functioning, and temperature control in the body.

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The symptoms - Considering the numerous areas of the body that can be affected by dysautonomia, the list of possible symptoms is endless. It includes things like balance problems, sensitivity to light, shortness of breath, chest pains, digestive problems, mood swings, fainting, and many more.

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Triggers -

The condition and symptoms can be worsened by certain factors like alcohol, dehydration, stress, hot environments, or tight clothing.

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Triggers -

Sometimes viral illnesses can trigger dysautonomia, similar to chronic fatigue syndrome. It can also be triggered by exposure to certain chemicals. The Gulf War Syndrome that appeared in soldiers returning from the 1990-1991 Gulf War is an example of dysautonomia.

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Primary conditions -

As mentioned previously, dysautonomia is the umbrella term for a group of conditions that involve malfunctioning of the ANS. Let’s take a look at some of the most common conditions.

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Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) -

Neurocardiogenic syncope is the most common form of dysautonomia. The main symptom is fainting spells, but the frequency of the incidents can range drastically. Some people might faint only a couple of times in their life, while others might faint a couple of times a day.

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Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) -

POTS is a disorder that affects the heart. It causes problems with circulation in the body, which can lead to fainting after standing up, shortness of breath, and chest pains.

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Familial dysautonomia (FD) -

Familial dysautonomia is a type of genetic dysautonomia that sufferers inherit from their relatives. It can cause increased sensitivity to pain, trouble regulating body temperature, and a lack of tears in the eyes.

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Familial dysautonomia (FD) -

Familial dysautonomia is more common among Ashkenazi Jewish people, or those with Eastern European heritage.

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Multiple system atrophy (MSA) -

Multiple system atrophy is a life-threatening form of dysautonomia that occurs in people over the age of 40. It can cause heart rate issues, low blood pressure, loss of bladder control, and erectile dysfunction.

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Pure autonomic failure -

People with this disorder experience a drop in blood pressure when they stand up. The symptoms include dizziness, fainting, visual problems, chest pain, and tiredness. The symptoms can sometimes be relieved by sitting down.

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Diagnosis -

It’s important to find a knowledgeable neurologist or cardiologist in order to diagnose dysautonomia. Many different kinds of tests may be required to diagnose it correctly. One common option is tilt-table testing.

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Tilt-table testing -

The main test for diagnosing dysautonomia is the tilt-table test. This rather strange-looking test moves the patient from a lying to a standing position.

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Tilt-table testing -

They lie on a table with their feet secured and the table moves, tilting them into a standing position. Their blood pressure and other functions are measured to see if their ANS responds properly.

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Other tests -

Other tests a doctor may perform to diagnose dysautonomia include sweating tests, breathing tests, blood tests, and a heart workup.

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Why is it often misdiagnosed? - Dysautonomia is considered an “invisible illness” and can be difficult to diagnose. The symptoms are wide-ranging and are often dismissed or misinterpreted by less experienced medical professionals.

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How is it treated? -

Dysautonomia doesn’t have any cure. However, there are a wide variety of therapies that can be used to manage the symptoms. The following are a few of the most common strategies.

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Drinking more water -

Drinking more water is usually recommended for those who suffer from dysautonomia. Consuming extra fluids helps to keep the blood volume up, which can reduce the symptoms. Each person’s doctor should be able to advise them on just how much more they need to drink.

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Salt -

Adding extra salt to the diet can also help to keep a normal fluid volume in your blood vessels, which is important for maintaining healthy blood pressure.

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Keeping your head elevated - Sleeping with your head raised above your body also helps to reduce your symptoms. This can be done by stacking an extra pillow or two under your head so it’s raised up by around 6 to 10 inches (15 to 20 cm).

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Medication -

Since low blood pressure is a common side effect of dysautonomia, certain medications like fludrocortisone and midodrine that increase blood pressure may be necessary.

Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (Verywell Health)

See also: Stars who suffer from chronic illnesses

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