Dysautonomia is a dysfunction in the body's automatic functioning or the Automatic Nervous System (ANS) and; it is an umbrella terms for many different disorders.
The ANS is responsible of the body's automatic functions - the things we don’t consciously don't think about doing for example our heart rate, blood pressure, temperature control, digestion, kidney function spacial orientation, dilation and constriction of the pupils in our eyes and lots more.
Individuals with dysautonomia have difficulty regulating some of these functions which can result in symptoms such as dizziness, light headedness, fainting, high/low blood pressure, abnormal heart rates, poor temperature control, difficulties with the digestive system, bladder control, stress response and more.
Worldwide dysautonomia affects approximately 70 million people.
There is no cure, however there are management strategies, such as having a high salt diet, eating smaller meals, pumping your feet in increase blood flow before standing and standing up slowly, elevation, and laying down. Occasionally medication may be prescribed for certain things.
Dysautonomia is common in people like myself with conditions like M.E. and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
Dysautonomia and Me
The three main dysautonomia conditions I have are Orthostatic Intolerance, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Raynaud’s.
I also find it hard to regulate my body temperature, circulation, blood pressure, my heart rate, I’m often dizzy and light-headed. I also have issue with my digestive system and bladder. So dysautonomia really does affect me a lot!
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| Funky compression socks |
- Spending a lot of time reclined or laid down
- Elevating my legs, sometimes in bed tilting it so my legs are higher than my head
- Wearing funky compression socks
- Monitoring my vitals at times (I always monitor my Heart Rate Variability)
- Using my wheelchair when I'm feeling dizzy and light-headed
- Investing in good cooling fans and ensuing I’m warm even when it’s mildly cold
- Stying out of the heat to avoid my sever heat intolerance symptoms - these can affect me even when it’s not a heatwave
- Ensuring I’m well hydrated (I do monitor my fluid intake)
- Sitting up slowly in the morning
- Eating small meals that are easier for me to digest and eating slowly
- Taking recommended supplements for my digestive system and bladder
- Resting regularly (or as regular as I’m able to, sometimes I get too busy and then I exhaust myself)
- Having medical massage therapy that helps with things like my circulation
- Wearing thermal gloves and mitts when I go out sometimes even in summer if the weather is cool
- Wearing thermal socks in the day and at night too
