Dysautonomia
A dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions. Common features include orthostatic intolerance, gastrointestinal issues, temperature dysregulation, and heart rate variability problems.
Overview
Dysautonomia involves dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which controls automatic body functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation.
Detailed Description
Dysautonomia refers to problems with the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which controls involuntary functions including heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, respiratory rate, and temperature regulation. Common features include orthostatic intolerance (difficulty with standing), gastrointestinal dysregulation (IBS, gastroparesis), sleep disturbances, temperature dysregulation, and reduced heart rate variability. Dysautonomia features are frequently observed in ADHD, autism, and fibromyalgia, suggesting shared nervous system regulation challenges.
How This Relates to ADHD
Research shows that dysautonomia features frequently appear in ADHD, autism, and fibromyalgia populations. Understanding autonomic regulation may help explain why symptoms across these conditions often cluster together.
Treatment and Management
Treatment for dysautonomia includes lifestyle modifications (hydration, salt intake, compression garments), medications to stabilize blood pressure or heart rate, autonomic regulation techniques (breathing exercises, biofeedback), and addressing underlying conditions. Support for nervous system regulation through sleep, stress management, and appropriate exercise can also help.
Examples
- •POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- •Gastrointestinal dysregulation like IBS
- •Temperature dysregulation
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