What is Dysautonomia?
The automatic nervous system (ANS) controls & regulates automatic bodily functions & is not consciously controlled.
Dysautonomia is a condition in which there is dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system and is sometimes referred to as:
- Autonomic Dysfunction
- Autonomic Failure
- Autonomic Neuropathy
Bodily functions controlled and regulated by the ANS include:
- heart rate
- the digestive tract
- dilation and constriction of the pupil
- urinary and bowel functions
- temperature regulation
- the endocrine system
- the reproductive system
- the metabolic system
Dysautonomia is associated with a number of disorders & syndromes. These disorders may affect some of the automatic bodily functions listed above. Associated disorders include:
- Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS)
- Mitral Valve Prolapse Dysautonomia
- Multiple System Atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome)
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
- Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF)
- Diabetes Mellitus
These disorders fall into one of two categories; Primary and Secondary Dysautonomia.
- Primary Dysautonomia
- - these include Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) & Multiple System Atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome)
- Secondary Dysautonomia
- - also known as Acquired Disorders an example being Diabetes Mellitus.
