Understanding Dysautonomia

What Is Dysautonomia?

The autonomic nervous system has two main branches:

- Sympathetic ('fight or flight')

- Parasympathetic ('rest and digest')

Dysautonomia arises when there's dysregulation between these systems, often causing inappropriate responses to stimuli such as rapid heart rate when standing or fainting during minor exertion.

Common Symptoms of Dysautonomia

- Lightheadedness or dizziness (especially upon standing)

- Tachycardia or heart palpitations

- Fatigue and exercise intolerance

- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating

- Temperature dysregulation (cold hands/feet, hot flashes)

- Digestive issues (bloating, constipation, nausea)

- Anxiety-like symptoms

- Visual disturbances or pupil dilation

- Syncope (fainting episodes)

These symptoms often worsen with heat, exertion, or stress hallmarks of conditions like POTS,

Neurocardiogenic Syncope, and Orthostatic Hypotension.

What Causes Dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia can be primary (genetic or idiopathic) or secondary to other conditions. Common

causes include:

- Traumatic brain injury or concussion

- Autoimmune diseases

- Viral infections (e.g., COVID-19, EBV)

- Mast cell activation

- Small fiber neuropathy

- Chronic stress

- Mitochondrial dysfunction

Emerging evidence suggests neuroinflammation, vagal tone dysfunction, and baroreflex impairment as central mechanisms.

Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing Dysautonomia

1. Exercise and Physical Reconditioning:

- Recumbent and upright graded protocols improve orthostatic tolerance. Source: Fu et al., 2010

2. Hydration and Salt Loading:

- 23L water/day + 310g sodium/day (under guidance). Source: Raj, 2013

3. Autonomic Retraining & Biofeedback:

- HRV training and vagal nerve stimulation. Source: Lehrer & Gevirtz, 2014

4. QEEG-Guided Neurofeedback:

- Targets limbic-autonomic dysregulation. Source: Othmer et al., 2013

5. Compression Garments:

- Improves blood return and reduces pooling. Source: Wieling et al., 2015

6. Anti-inflammatory and Mitochondrial Support:

- CoQ10, L-carnitine, magnesium, diet. Source: Novak, 2016

A Holistic Approach Yields the Best Results

Dysautonomia is complex and rarely resolved through a single intervention. Combining multiple

modalities nutrition, autonomic retraining, gentle physical conditioning, and neurofeedback can

significantly improve symptoms and quality of life.

References

Barnden, L. R., et al. (2021). Frontiers in Neurology.

Fu, Q., et al. (2010). Hypertension, 55(4), 10601065.

Lehrer, P. M., & Gevirtz, R. (2014). Frontiers in Psychology, 5, 756.

Novak, P. (2016). Clin Auton Res, 26(1), 1525.

Othmer, S. F., et al. (2013). Journal of Neurotherapy, 17(1), 319.

Raj, S. R. (2013). Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J, 13(3), 8291.

Vernino, S., & Stiles, L. (2020). Autonomic Neuroscience, 224, 102646.

Wieling, W., et al. (2015). Journal of Internal Medicine, 277(2), 197208.