Dysautonomia is a general term used to describe the breakdown or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. (There are many disorders that fall under this general term.) The autonomic nervous system, as described in an earlier post, controls the body's involuntary functions. When there is dysfunction in the ANS, the brain and organs are not communicating properly. Dysautonomia is a full-body condition and therefore may cause a great number of symptoms.
Symptoms
Fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness or vertigo, excessive thirst, excessive urination, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), slow heart rate (bradycardia), near fainting, fainting/loss of consciousness, orthostatic hypotension, joint pain, headaches, pallor, malaise, facial flushing, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, visual disturbances, numbness, nerve pain, trouble breathing, chest pains, in some cases seizures.
The symptoms of dysautonomia are unique to each individual. Some people experience some of these symptoms, while other lucky people experiences all of the symptoms. I happen to be one of the lucky ones. The severity of these symptoms can vary. Some patients are affected only mildly and others are left completely incapacitated.
Specific Disorders
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Neurocardiogenic Syncope
Mitral Valve Prolapse
Pure Autonomic Failure
Vasovagal Syncope
Neurally Mediated Hypotension
And other lesser known disorders
Often there is a great deal of overlap between these various disorders and patients can have more than one...as I do.
Causes & Treatments
There is no specific cause, however, development of dysautonomia has been linked to viral illness, brain injury, genectic factors, physical trauma (i.e. injury or surgery) , exposure to chemicals, preganancy, autoimmune disorders, compression of important arteries and/or nerves, etc.
There is no known cure, but dysautonomia can be treated with various medications to stabilize the condition and alleviate symptoms. Many forms of dysautonomia resolve themselves within 2-3 years and are not life threatening, but can be seriously life altering by limiting daily activities.
For more information on dysautonomia, please see the links I've provided or simply look it up in a search engine.
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