Dysautonomia: Symptoms + Causes Of This Shocking Autoimmune Condition

What is dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia encompasses a group of disorders characterized by a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Your ANS is a subdivision of your nervous system and is considered “self-governing” since it is responsible for all the bodily functions you don’t think about including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature control. There are various types of dysautonomia, each with its own specific symptoms, underlying causes, and effects on the body. Some of the different types include:

• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): People with POTS experience an excessive increase in heart rate when standing up, leading to symptoms like lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, and fainting. This condition often affects younger people, mostly women.
• Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS) or Vasovagal Syncope: This condition involves sudden drops in heart rate and blood pressure, leading to fainting or loss of consciousness. This type of dysautonomia can be triggered by various factors, such as stress, pain, dehydration, or standing for prolonged periods.
• Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): This rare and progressive disorder affects the autonomic nervous system and movement control. It can manifest with symptoms resembling Parkinson's disease (MSA-P) or symptoms primarily affecting the autonomic nervous system (MSA-A), including issues with blood pressure regulation, movement difficulties, and impaired coordination.
• Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF): PAF is characterized by symptoms such as drops in blood pressure when standing up, urinary problems, and limited sweating.
• Familial Dysautonomia (FD) or Riley-Day Syndrome: This is a genetic disorder that affects the development and function of the autonomic nervous system. It can lead to problems swallowing, a lack of tears, temperature regulation issues, and sensory problems.
• Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy (AAG): AAG is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks autonomic nerves, leading to symptoms such as orthostatic hypotension, gastrointestinal issues, and abnormal sweating.

While these are a few of the more common types of dysautonomia, there are many other lesser known types that can result in a wide range of symptoms depending on what part of the ANS it is affecting, including:

• Anxiety
• Brain fog
• Balance problems
• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing
• Digestive distress (constipation, diarrhea)
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Fainting spells
• Heart palpitations
• Heart rate changes (slow or fast)
• Headaches
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Irregular heart rhythm
• Insomnia
• Low libido
• Migraines
• Mood swings
• Nausea
• Poor temperature regulation (running too hot or too cold)
• Shortness of breath

What causes dysautonomia?

The problem with dysautonomia is that there is no single cause of this condition and it can be difficult to even diagnose due to the fact that its symptoms often overlap with, and look similar to other chronic health problems. But with that said, there are several factors that can contribute to the development and perpetuation of dysautonomia, including:

• Genetics: Some forms of dysautonomia, such as familial dysautonomia, (2) have a genetic basis and can be inherited. Specific gene mutations or abnormalities may predispose individuals to autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
• Underlying health problems: Certain medical conditions or diseases can trigger or coexist with dysautonomia. These may include autoimmune disorders like Sjögren's syndrome, (3) diabetes, (4) multiple sclerosis, (5) Parkinson's disease, (6) Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, (7) and others. In these cases, the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system might be a secondary effect of the primary condition.
• Physical Trauma or injuries: Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or other physical trauma can disrupt nerve pathways and lead to dysautonomia symptoms.
• Infections: In some cases, viral or bacterial infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus, (8) influenza, or certain bacterial infections like Lyme disease, (9) may trigger an immune response that affects the autonomic nervous system.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or environmental factors may play a role in triggering dysautonomia or exacerbating symptoms in susceptible individuals.

Depending on the cause, you can be diagnosed with either primary or secondary dysautonomia. Primary dysautonomia occurs on its own without a specific cause like in the case of genetics, whereas secondary dysautonomia occurs as a result of a specific cause such as an autoimmune condition, infection, toxin exposure, or injury.

How to diagnose dysautonomia

Unfortunately, many people struggle for years with dysautonomia because of how difficult it is to diagnose. Due to the many possible causes and symptom overlap, diagnosis can become a process of elimination, especially if your doctor isn’t familiar with dysautonomia. Instead of one specific lab test, your doctor will typically run a few different tests and examinations in order to pinpoint dysautonomia.

1. Medical history and physical examination

A doctor will typically conduct a thorough review of symptoms, medical history, and perform a detailed physical examination to look for signs of autonomic dysfunction.

2. Autonomic function tests

Specialized tests are used to assess the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. These tests may include:

• Tilt table test: This test involves lying on a table that moves from a horizontal to an upright position, while monitoring heart rate and blood pressure changes.
• Autonomic reflex testing: Evaluates your body's responses to certain stimuli, such as changes in temperature, blood pressure, or breathing.
• Sudomotor function tests: Assess sweat production to determine if your sweat responses are normal.

3. Laboratory tests

Blood tests may be conducted to rule out other medical conditions or to look for specific markers that could indicate autonomic dysfunction.

4. Imaging studies

In some cases, imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans might be ordered to evaluate the structure of your brain, spinal cord, or other relevant areas.

Natural remedies for dysautonomia

In conventional medicine, most of the treatments for dysautonomia involve medications that target your specific symptoms, whether that is blood pressure medication for low blood pressure or immunosuppressants if you have secondary dysautonomia from an autoimmune condition.

However, there are a few natural remedies that can be utilized to help ease the most common symptoms of dysautonomia.

1. Drink more water

Staying well-hydrated is crucial, especially for those with dysautonomia symptoms including poor blood pressure regulation. Drinking enough water can help manage symptoms like orthostatic hypotension by keeping blood pressure levels balanced.

2. Eat more salt

Some people with dysautonomia benefit from increased salt intake due to its ability to help manage blood pressure by controlling the fluid in your blood vessels. Remember, always opt for sea salt rather than iodized table salt.

3. Wear compression garments

Wearing compression socks or binders around your abdomen can help improve blood flow and reduce symptoms of dizziness and lightheadedness when standing up. 

4. Try cooling techniques

For people with temperature regulation issues, using cold packs, or taking cool showers can help regulate body temperature.

5. Elevate your legs

Raising your legs periodically, especially when sitting or lying down, can prevent blood pooling in your lower extremities and may help reduce symptoms.

The Takeaway

Ultimately, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for an unconventional health problem like dysautonomia. From various types of dysautonomia to multiple different triggers, we in functional medicine aim to facilitate healing by accurately identifying these areas and personalizing a care plan that aligns with your body’s particular needs. If you have spent years struggling with unexplained symptoms like these, consider scheduling a telehealth functional medicine consultation today, to learn how my team and I can help you reclaim your health.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe. 

Photo: unsplash.com