What is dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia is a term which covers a range of conditions. We are interested in the irritation of the sympathetic trunk, due to positional narrowing of the area.

The ANS is responsible for manyinvoluntarybodily processes – those which you cannot consciously control – with dysautonomia affecting blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, breathing, kidney function, body/skin temperature regulation, sexual function, etc.

Autonomic dysfunction can occur after a direct or indirect trauma to the area, such as rotational injury during a motor vehicle accident. Due to the proximity of the ANS to the thoracic vertebrae and costovertebral joints, resultant irritation and symptoms can occur.

Types of Dysautonomia

Some other, common forms of dysautonomia include:

• Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS)– Most common, usually characterised by fainting spells rarely in one’s lifetime to multiple occurences daily. Also known assituational syncopeorvasovagal syncope.
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)– A disorder involving circulatory problems (blood flow) which can cause abnormal/high heart rate, fainting, chest pain and breathlessness
• Familial dysautonomia (FD)– Occurs from a genetic predisposition, often resulting in decreased pain sensitivity, poor temperature regulation and inability to produce tears (crying).
• Multiple system atrophy (MSA)– A rare but debilitating condition, usually diagnosed in people over 40, with severe ANS dysfunction symptoms
• Pure autonomic failure– Typically felt as a drop in blood pressure after standing up and feeling dizzy/tired/in pain, usually relieved by lying down