I was wondering if anyone else has trouble with there body temperature my hands and arms feel cold its hard to explain its like i feel cold from the inside but my upper body from neck to waist is so hot and clammy thanks for reading
Wow a lot to take in thanks for this reply though will be going through it very carefully i will try drinking more water and trying a cold flannel on my neck i was hoping that when i have my op this problem would be solved have you had your op Abby and if so have you found an improvement on your strength and other problems ?
Abby said:
Medical
Temperature Control and Dysautonomia - Fact Sheet
Cold-blooded creatures take on the temperature of their surroundings. They are hot when their environment is hot and cold when their environment is cold. Cold-blooded animals are much more active in warm environments and are very sluggish in cold environments. These animals are very dependant on their environment when compared to warm blooded animals like ourselves.
Warm-blooded creatures, like mammals and birds, try to keep the inside of their bodies at a constant temperature. They do this by generating their own heat when they are in a cooler environment, and by cooling themselves when they are in a hotter environment. This independence from our environment allows warm blooded animals to live in a much broader variety of climates.
HomeostasisIt takes a lot of fuel to generate body heat and indeed a lot of fuel is needed to keep cool. Most of the food we eat is used to keep our bodies at a stable temperature with a stable amount of fluid of a stable composition.
Our bodies actually put a lot of effort into staying the same. The medical term for this process is homeostasis.
In human beings, the homeostatic regulation of body temperature involves such mechanisms as sweating when the internal temperature becomes excessive and shivering to produce heat, as well as the generation of heat through metabolic processes when the internal temperature falls too low.
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)
These aspects of homeostasis are regulated through the autonomic nervous system.
The autonomic nervous system manages most of our bodily systems, including the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal, urinary and bowel functions, temperature regulation, reproduction and our metabolic and endocrine systems. Additionally, this system is responsible for our reaction to stress - the flight or fight response.
Sympathetic and Parasympathetic
The autonomic nervous system consists of two parts: the sympathetic system and the parasympathetic system. The sympathetic system can best be thought of as controlling the "fight or flight" reactions of the body; producing the rapid heart rates, increased breathing and increased blood flow to the muscles that are necessary when an individual is in danger or under stress. The parasympathetic system controls the "quiet" body functions, for instance the digestive system. In short, the sympathetic system gets the body ready for action, while the parasympathetic system gets the body ready for rest. And in most individuals the parasympathetic and sympathetic components of the autonomic nervous systems are in perfect balance, from moment to moment, depending on the body's instantaneous needs.
Dysautonomia
A brain injury affecting the autonomic nerve system may result in dysautonomia: The autonomic nervous system loses that balance and at various times the parasympathetic or sympathetic systems inappropriately predominate.
Symptoms
Symptoms can include frequent, vague but disturbing aches and pains, faintness (or even actual fainting spells), fatigue and inertia, severe anxiety attacks, tachycardia, hypotension, poor exercise tolerance, gastrointestinal symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, sweating, dizziness, blurred vision, numbness and tingling, anxiety and (quite understandably), depression.
A person suffering from dysautonomia may exhibit all these symptoms and more or only one or two. It can be an acute, short lived problem or a chronic problem that will last a lifetime. There is no cure for dysautonomia but some medications and strategies can help alleviate the symptoms.
Management Strategies
The homeostatic regulation of body temperature may be severely impaired in a person suffering from dysautonomia and they may develop excessively high body temperatures and consequent irritability, confusion and disorientation. The treatment for a high temperature as a result of a damaged autonomic nervous system is entirely symptomatic and supportive. That is: the fever is treated but not the cause. Remember the cause is unfortunately incurable.
Essentially the treatment is to cool the person downA wet towel across the neck can be of help as most of our body heat is lost through the head and the external carotid arteries carry large amounts of blood to the brain. Cooling this area will effectively cool the whole body from the inside out.
Drink plenty of fluids, preferably water. Other fluids, particularly alcohol or caffeine, can reduce the fluid levels in the body by increasing fluid loss through sweating or urination.
It is essential to seek medical assistance if any fever is severe or prolonged as the fever itself may damage organs including the brain, heart and kidneys.
A host of medications have been tried in patients with dysautonomia. Those most commonly felt to be useful include:
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Medications affecting high or low blood pressure and
- Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicationsThe most effective medications will vary from person to person depending on the particular symptoms that dysautonomia produce in them.
As with any long-term health condition, it is highly recommended that a relationship be maintained with a GP or other suitable medical professional.Dysautonomia: Body temperature, heart rate, and more
- See more at: http://www.mitoaction.org/blog/dysautonomia-body-temperature#sthash...By admin on 04/07/2008What is dysautonomia? For many, it is a one word description that explains some of the most troublesome and puzzling symptoms that adults and children with mitochondrial disease experience. The autonomic nervous system functions to moderate and allow adaption of the body to everything in our environment. The autonomic nervous system, when functioning properly, regulates the response to very basic changes such as temperature, walking, sitting, sleeping, eating, desiring, and digesting food, thirst, etc. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, also known as dysautonomia, can present some of the greatest daily quality of life challenges for people who are affected.
At the April 2008 MitoAction free international teleconference for patients and families, the topic of "dysautonomia" was discussed with guest speaker Dr. David Holtzman (listen to the full audio recording). Dr. Holtzman is a member of the MitoAction medical advisory commitee and brings experience not only as an active clinical pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, but also as an established PhD researching mitochondrial physiology and mitochondrial function. Dr. Holtzman also teaches students in many areas including Harvard Medical School.
The impact and presence of dysautonomia may be under-appreciated in mitochondrial disease community, although the majority of patients may find that some symptoms, especially those related to body temperature regulation, could be related to autonomic dysfunction. Dr. Holtzman begins by underscoring the difficulty in understanding and treating symptoms related to dysautonomia, as the autonomic nervous system is a vast and diffuse system that can be influenced by many factors, including anxiety, thyroid function, endocrine function, stress, hormone changes, etc. It is important that any patient, adult or child, experiencing troublesome or puzzling dysautonomia symptoms consult with their physician, as it is quite possible that such signs and symptoms are actually related to organ function. For example, while changes in baseline body temperature, thirst, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, bowel or gut dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation, dysmotility) could be related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, these very same signs and symptoms could be related to specifc organ issues as well.
It is not immediately clear why mitochondrial dysfunction would affect the autonomic nervous system, although the two are surely related. The mitochondria affect certain abilities of the autonomic nervous system, including the ability to sense temperature (the mitochondria are important in providing additional energy needed to generate heat). The functions of the muscles rely on the mitochondria, as does the brain. In this way, the relationship is complex and can be difficult to understand. It is probably more helpful to think about some of the symptoms of dysautonomia instead.
One common and confusing result of dysautonomia for many people is related to body temperature. It is not uncommon for mitochondrial disease patients to have some abnormal regulation of body temperature, resulting in either a lower or higher baseline body temperature (commonly 96-97 degreees) or a marked inability to tolerate heat or cold. In this way, abnormal sweating is another characteristic of dysautonomia. Sweating as an autonomic nervous system function occurs in order to cool the body (sweating independent of environmental temperature is related to the sympathetic nervous system, as a response to anxiety, fear, stress, etc.). The absence of sweating occurs in some individuals, making them very sensitive to over-heating in warmer climates. Conversely, some people may sweat excessively regardless of the environmental temperature. Hydration is useful in both instances. Keeping the body well-hydrated with plenty of liquids is a very important preventive measure for the majority of people with mitochondrial disease. Recognizing that probability of heat and cold intolerance and the potential consequences (often fatigue or pain) makes it important for patients and families to use good planning when going outdoors, getting into a hot car, swimming or bathing, etc.
Some people are troubled by changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, changes in heart rate, nausea and anxiety are a few of the most common and troublesome complaints. Dr. Holtzman emphasizes the importance of identifying how these symptoms could be related to actual anxiety as opposed to dysautonomia, as anxiety symptoms are more easily treated. Sometimes changes in position can also be difficult, such as sitting up from lying down. This is also called postural orthostatic hypotension (POTS) and affects many people with and without mitochondrial disease (learn more at POTS place).
"I just thought I was crazy for feeling this way," said one MitoAction member on the call. Be assured, you are not crazy, and the symptoms associated with dysautonomia can be very confusing and really challenging as they affect how one feels and even how well one can function! There are patients whose primary symptoms of their underlying mitochondrial disorder are related to autonomic nervous system irregularities. Still, many people wonder when to react and seek medical help. First, know the patient's baseline. For example, if a person's baseline temperature is around 97 degrees, a temp of 100 degrees is more concerning than in a person with a normal baseline temperature of 98.6 degrees Farenheit. The same idea applies to heart rate, blood pressure, and daily function. Second, always respond by consulting a doctor the first time that any unusual symptoms occur. In addition, rest and good fluid intake are two keys to managing mitochondrial disease, as well as autonomic nervous system dysfunction
Dysautonomia: Body temperature, heart rate, and more
- See more at: http://www.mitoaction.org/blog/dysautonomia-body-temperature#sthash...By admin on 04/07/2008What is dysautonomia? For many, it is a one word description that explains some of the most troublesome and puzzling symptoms that adults and children with mitochondrial disease experience. The autonomic nervous system functions to moderate and allow adaption of the body to everything in our environment. The autonomic nervous system, when functioning properly, regulates the response to very basic changes such as temperature, walking, sitting, sleeping, eating, desiring, and digesting food, thirst, etc. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, also known as dysautonomia, can present some of the greatest daily quality of life challenges for people who are affected.
At the April 2008 MitoAction free international teleconference for patients and families, the topic of "dysautonomia" was discussed with guest speaker Dr. David Holtzman (listen to the full audio recording). Dr. Holtzman is a member of the MitoAction medical advisory commitee and brings experience not only as an active clinical pediatric neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, but also as an established PhD researching mitochondrial physiology and mitochondrial function. Dr. Holtzman also teaches students in many areas including Harvard Medical School.
The impact and presence of dysautonomia may be under-appreciated in mitochondrial disease community, although the majority of patients may find that some symptoms, especially those related to body temperature regulation, could be related to autonomic dysfunction. Dr. Holtzman begins by underscoring the difficulty in understanding and treating symptoms related to dysautonomia, as the autonomic nervous system is a vast and diffuse system that can be influenced by many factors, including anxiety, thyroid function, endocrine function, stress, hormone changes, etc. It is important that any patient, adult or child, experiencing troublesome or puzzling dysautonomia symptoms consult with their physician, as it is quite possible that such signs and symptoms are actually related to organ function. For example, while changes in baseline body temperature, thirst, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, bowel or gut dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation, dysmotility) could be related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction, these very same signs and symptoms could be related to specifc organ issues as well.
It is not immediately clear why mitochondrial dysfunction would affect the autonomic nervous system, although the two are surely related. The mitochondria affect certain abilities of the autonomic nervous system, including the ability to sense temperature (the mitochondria are important in providing additional energy needed to generate heat). The functions of the muscles rely on the mitochondria, as does the brain. In this way, the relationship is complex and can be difficult to understand. It is probably more helpful to think about some of the symptoms of dysautonomia instead.
One common and confusing result of dysautonomia for many people is related to body temperature. It is not uncommon for mitochondrial disease patients to have some abnormal regulation of body temperature, resulting in either a lower or higher baseline body temperature (commonly 96-97 degreees) or a marked inability to tolerate heat or cold. In this way, abnormal sweating is another characteristic of dysautonomia. Sweating as an autonomic nervous system function occurs in order to cool the body (sweating independent of environmental temperature is related to the sympathetic nervous system, as a response to anxiety, fear, stress, etc.). The absence of sweating occurs in some individuals, making them very sensitive to over-heating in warmer climates. Conversely, some people may sweat excessively regardless of the environmental temperature. Hydration is useful in both instances. Keeping the body well-hydrated with plenty of liquids is a very important preventive measure for the majority of people with mitochondrial disease. Recognizing that probability of heat and cold intolerance and the potential consequences (often fatigue or pain) makes it important for patients and families to use good planning when going outdoors, getting into a hot car, swimming or bathing, etc.
Some people are troubled by changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, changes in heart rate, nausea and anxiety are a few of the most common and troublesome complaints. Dr. Holtzman emphasizes the importance of identifying how these symptoms could be related to actual anxiety as opposed to dysautonomia, as anxiety symptoms are more easily treated. Sometimes changes in position can also be difficult, such as sitting up from lying down. This is also called postural orthostatic hypotension (POTS) and affects many people with and without mitochondrial disease (learn more at POTS place).
"I just thought I was crazy for feeling this way," said one MitoAction member on the call. Be assured, you are not crazy, and the symptoms associated with dysautonomia can be very confusing and really challenging as they affect how one feels and even how well one can function! There are patients whose primary symptoms of their underlying mitochondrial disorder are related to autonomic nervous system irregularities. Still, many people wonder when to react and seek medical help. First, know the patient's baseline. For example, if a person's baseline temperature is around 97 degrees, a temp of 100 degrees is more concerning than in a person with a normal baseline temperature of 98.6 degrees Farenheit. The same idea applies to heart rate, blood pressure, and daily function. Second, always respond by consulting a doctor the first time that any unusual symptoms occur. In addition, rest and good fluid intake are two keys to managing mitochondrial disease, as well as autonomic nervous system dysfunction
Hi Rebecca snap people always tell me i have cold hands always reply cold hands warm heart lol but its comforting to know i am not on my own for having this
Rebecca said:
Yep. Especially when nervous. But, my hands and feet are almost ALWAYS cold... freezing - even when others touch them they can tell how cold they are.