Dysautonomia is the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, presenting unique challenges in a person’s health by impacting multiple bodily functions. The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system, which includes all the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system, which includes all the nerves in the body other than the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system is further split into two – the somatic and the autonomic divisions. The somatic division is involved in voluntary control of things like skeletal muscle movement as well as conscious sensory processing. The autonomic division is in charge of all involuntary functions, such as regulation of breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, temperature, and digestion. It also has influence over certain glandular secretions, bladder contractility and relaxation, and indirectly, sleep.

Dysautonomia can not only present in a variety of ways across the board, but two people with the same form of dysautonomia may have different symptoms. Some of the more common examples of dysautonomia are orthostatic hypotension, POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), vasovagal syncope, and IST (inappropriate sinus tachycardia).

Recognizing Symptoms of Dysautonomia

Awareness of dysautonomia signs is crucial for effective management. Early identification can initiate targeted treatment strategies. Some of the symptoms of dysautonomia include:

~ Keep scrolling for some further clarifications of certain symptoms ~

  • Fatigue

  • Tachycardia or Bradycardia

  • Dizziness with or without Syncope (fainting)

  • Heart palpitations

  • Unstable blood pressure

  • Brain fog

  • Air hunger

  • Low heart rate variability

  • Exercise intolerance

  • Headaches and migraines

  • Temperature dysregulation

  • Gastrointestinal disturbances

  • Sleep disturbances

  • Bladder dysfunction

Section Image

Symptoms Clarified

  • Tachycardia = abnormally high/fast heart rate
  • Bradycardia = abnormally slow/low heart rate
  • Unstable blood pressure = too high or too low, or swinging from one to the other
  • Brain fog = feeling mentally “fuzzy”, losing your train of thought, slower than normal mental processing speed, difficulty in finding words
  • Air hunger = feeling you can’t get a good breath into your lungs even in the presence of adequate blood oxygen levels
  • Exercise intolerance = inability to exercise without symptom onset
  • Low heart rate variability = low time variation between consecutive heart beats
  • Temperature dysregulation = often feeling too hot or too cold when not appropriate to current environment, excessive sweating, lack of sweating
  • Gastrointestinal disturbances = nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or constipation, bloating, difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain
  • Sleep disturbances = unrefreshing sleep, delayed sleep onset, frequent awakening during the night, feeling “tired but wired”
  • Bladder dysfunction = bladder urgency (feeling like you have to frequently empty your bladder), weak stream or difficulty emptying your bladder, generalized bladder pain

Section Image

Understanding Causes of Dysautonomia

Dysautonomia can stem from various factors and is often due to a combination of these factors. Common potential causes include immune dysfunction seen in post-viral syndromes and autoimmune conditions, connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, chronic stress, hormonal imbalances, and genetic predispositions. Environmental factors, such as nutrient deficiencies and exposures to toxins, also contribute to dysautonomia's onset and persistence. Recognizing these factors is critical in tailoring a comprehensive treatment approach that not only alleviates symptoms, but increases quality of life.

Section Image

Diagnostic Testing and Treatment of Dysautonomia

Diagnosing dysautonomia usually involves appointments with a specialist medical doctor and a set of tests to evaluate the autonomic nervous system's function. Tests which may be done include but are not limited to the Nasa Lean Test, tilt-table test (performed less frequently now), 24 Holter monitor, 24 hour blood pressure monitor, urine tests, and various blood tests to rule out other causes. You do not need a confirmed diagnosis of dysautonomia to work with me.

Naturopathic approaches to dysautonomia focus on patient education, identifying underlying causes when possible, and providing individualized treatment. Treatment approaches may include pacing and many other lifestyle modifications, stress management techniques that signal safety to the nervous system, dietary changes, herbal therapies, homeopathy, and acupuncture. Routine monitoring guides adjustments in treatment as symptoms evolve, ensuring a personalized approach to provide better outcomes. The combination of patient education, identifying causes when possible, and providing dynamic and individualized treatment plans lead to greater quality of life for those living with dysautonomia.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Naturopathic treatment plans for dysautonomia include dietary modifications, lifestyle interventions, stress management strategies, management equipment/aids, acupuncture, and herbal therapies, which are all tailored to individual needs. Oftentimes, pharmaceutical medications are also required, and these are prescribed by a medical doctor (MD) after a careful assessment is completed. Comprehensive care focuses on holistic support.

Improvements may vary by individual, depending on multiple factors such as ability to adhere to the treatment plan, frequency of infections (ie. viral and/or bacterial), fluctuating stress levels, and general symptom severity. Many patients report noticeable changes within a couple of weeks to months. It is important to note that management of dysautonomia is often a long term process, and even if you do everything “right”, flares are sometimes unavoidable and it is not your fault.

Treatment of dysautonomia is complex and often requires collaborative care between health professionals. Naturopathic doctors have the privilege of longer and more frequent appointments which allows a thorough patient history and ongoing check ins. Additionally, it is not uncommon for patients struggling with dysautonomia to have been dismissed by health care providers in the past, and it can be greatly beneficial to the patient to have a safe space in which you are listened to well.