Dysautonomia is the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The brainstem controls the autonomic nervous system, and dysautonomia can be caused by the damage done to the brain stem by cranial settling or Chiari 1 Malformation. The autonomic nervous system controls everything that happens in the body that an individual does not have to think about, like respiration, blood pressure, temperature regulation, digestion, balance, and heart rate.
Dysautonomia is categorized into several types.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Quick IdentificationSymptoms: fainting, palpitations, nausea, lightheadedness, overheating, hyperventilation, vomiting, chest discomfort or pain, headache, loss of balance, loss of sweating or excessive sweating, weakness, tremulousness, neuropathic pain, and/or abdominal pain when upright Diagnosis: A tilt table test is the standard method for diagnosing POTS. A change in the patient's heart rate of 30 beats per minute (bpm) along with the patient's symptoms should be used for diagnosis. |
Individuals with this disorder experience loss of balance, lightheadedness, overheating, hyperventilation, palpitations, chest discomfort or pain, nausea, and/or fainting when upright. The autonomic nervous system cannot control heart rate, blood pressure, constriction of the blood vessels in the lower body, or respiration in individuals with POTS. When a person changes to an upright position, gravity begins to act upon their blood and pulls it to the lower half of their body. Most people's bodies adjust heart rate, constriction of blood vessels, and blood pressure to push the blood out of the lower body and up to the organs where it is needed. In an individual with POTS, this compensation does not occur and essential organs cannot get the blood they need while the individual is in an upright position. Upon returning to a neutral position, symptoms will subside, though it may take hours for them to do so.