Dysautonomia

Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System

Aug 12, 2007 Elaine Moore

Disorders of dysautonomia include familial and autoimmune disorders that interfere with the normal function of the autonomic nervous system.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction, which results in a condition known as dysautonomia, includes several disorders that interfere with normal autonomic nervous system responses. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for the involuntary actions that regulate our heart, gastrointestinal, urinary, muscles, and bowel functions as well as our metabolic and endocrine systems. Endocrine responses include reactions to stress or the flight or fight response. Dysautonomia is also referred to as autonomic failure and autonomic neuropathy.

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system is comprised of sensory, enteric, and motor systems. The motor systems include the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system transmits sensory impulses that it receives from blood vessels, the heart and other organs in the chest, as well as the abdomen and pelvis. It transmits these impulses through nerves to other parts of the brain, primarily the medulla, pons and hypothalamus.

These impulses rarely reach our consciousness but they elicit automatic responses through the efferent autonomic nerves that cause appropriate reactions in the heart, vascular system and other organs. These impulses can result from stress, temperature changes, posture, food intake and other conditions to which the body is exposed.

Dysautonomia Disorders

Disorders of dysautonomia can result from both impaired and excessive functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Disorders in this family include Guillain-Barre syndrome, which is associated with vaccines, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), mitral vein prolapse dysautonomia, pure autonomic failure, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), panic disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), neurocardiogenic syncope, multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia, and PANDA syndrome.

Who is Affected?

Disorders of autonomia may be familial or inherited or they may occur as autoimmune conditions. Dysautonomia may occur as a primary disease or it can occur as a secondary disease in people with other autoimmune disorders, alcoholism or Parkinson’s disease. Autoimmune dysautonomia is more likely to occur in people with other autoimmune diseases, especially autoimmune thyroid disorders, diabetes, and Sjogren’s syndrome. It can be triggered by infectious agents, for instance the development of PANDA syndrome in children recovering from streptococcal infection, and following vaccines especially in Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Autoantibodies

Autoantibodies seen in autoimmune dysautonomia include antibodies to the ganglionic acetylcholine receptor and anti-basal ganglia antibodies.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the specific disorder but overall common symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, motor function disturbances, blurred vision, depression, vague but disturbing aches and pains, headache, exercise intolerance, severe anxiety attacks, numbness or tingling, impotence, dizziness with standing or exertion, gastrointestinal disturbances, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension and other symptoms. Symptoms may be self-limited and resolve over time or they may be chronic and progressive. Usually, a cluster of symptoms develops and the specific symptoms can change over time.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the specific disorder present. Treatment is usually aimed at alleviating symptoms such as pain medications or at suppressing the immune system, such as the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Resources

Dysautonomia, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health,

National Dysautonomia Research Foundation

The copyright of the article Dysautonomia in General Medicine is owned by Elaine Moore. Permission to republish Dysautonomia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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Mar 9, 2009 7:28 AM

Guest :

I have dysautonomia and suffer from depression and a pressure feeling on my head. Anti-depressants do not seem tp help. Do you have any suggestions for what I can do ?

Mar 9, 2009 11:18 AM

Elaine Moore :

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. Why don't you ask your doctor about the use of IVIG therapy or low dose naltrexone? Best to you, Elaine

Jul 26, 2009 4:51 PM

Guest :

Exercise is one of the best things I've done for depression, especially walking and running. I know it's tough, but using a treadmill or stationary bike can give you the controlled environment you might need for your dysautonomia. I get a little nervous going for walks too far away from home, which is why I like the treadmill. Depression has many sources, but I found that if I could make myself stronger in some way, even with personal bests, that the sense of accomplishment in addition to the good chemicals that exercise brings, really helps.

Oct 10, 2009 3:32 AM

Guest :

I have a myriad of autoimmune conditions, including dysautonomia. I have been affected since birth. My earliest memories (approx. 4yrs. old) are of being exhausted, with bad muscle pain and unable to get warm, regardless of how many layers of clothing I wore, or how close I sat next to the heater. My mother always said I was a good baby, as I rarely cried, just slept and throughout my existence I have done little else but sleep. I say existence and not 'life' because I've never had one. Anyway, I have always been trying to figure-out the cause of all this, so tell me what you think of my hypothesis. Mitochondrial dysfunction, due to D.N.A. faults, caused when I was in utero, by Diethylstilboestrol, which my mother was given, for about 7 months, while she was kept in hospital, on bedrest, as she 'spotted' at the start of the pregnancy. I was unable to have children due to a deformed uterus etc. Which was good, as I have never had the energy to look after myself properly, let alone a child. Anyway, I read that the drug causes autoimmune conditions and alters the Genome, as some women, who have managed to have children, have passed their medical problems onto them. However, the Dr.'s I have spoken to about it, wont even consider the possibility. They give me the impression they fear I am seeking to sue someone, but they don't understand that all the money in the world wont buy health, or a life, so what is the point? I just want honest answers for a change. I don't want to leave the planet with a big '?' in my brain. So what do you think, is it a possibility????

Oct 11, 2009 7:16 PM

Elaine Moore :

Hi,
Diethylstilbesterol is a known trigger of autoimmune disease.
Read my article at autoimmunedisease.suite101.com/article.cfm/diethylstilbestrol and find more information on this condition. Best to you, Elaine

Nov 26, 2009 6:08 PM

Elaine Moore :

Hi Kayla,
You probably want to see a neurologist for your symptoms. It's possible for your symptoms to be related. I wish you well, Elaine

Dec 24, 2009 1:02 PM

Elaine Moore :

Hi Pinky,
I'm not a physician. I'm a clinical laboratory scientist and medical writer. I think you could be on the right track but you'd need a doctor to evaluate all your vital signs and run more tests to see if you have any of the disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system. Ask your doctor at your next visit. Best, Elaine

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