Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction:“Dysautonomia” means dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system regulates all of the body’s unconscious [“automatic”] functions, and keeps the body in stasis or normal state by its reactions to internal and external stimuli. Dysautonomia can be a condition in itself, or a symptom of another condition or disease process. [See related conditions.]
Symptoms may range from the mild or merely inconvenient, to life-threatening. They may present as continuous or not, cyclic, random, subtle, profound, alone or in conjunction with others. Any may be exacerbated by any external or internal stimulus, including other disease processes, like flu or a virus. A person may appear perfectly normal and healthy at all times except when the system is insufficient. Dysautonomia is an invisible handicapping condition.
CARDIOVASCULAR
- Variations in heart rate
- Extremely fast heart rate (Tachycardia)
- Slow heart rate (Bradycardia)
- Startle rate increase; failure to return
- Chest pain or pressure
- Reduced cardiac output
- Blood Pressure: Wide swings, dangerously high to low, or sudden drop, change, response time failures
- Lightheadedness
- Vertigo
- Problems with balance
- Dizziness
- Fainting or near fainting [syncope]
SKIN:
- Changes in skin color
- White patches
- Apple cheeks
- Skin blotching
- Deep purple/red color in fingers and toes.
EYES
- Distorted Depth Perception
- Dry eyes
- Visual blurring or tunneling
SLEEP
- Sleep Apnea
- Disruption of sleep / wake cycle
- Nightmares; vivid dreams
- Insomnia
TACTILE DEFENSIVENESS
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to touch
- Sensitivity to sound
- Sensitivity to odors
THERMO-REGULATION
- Inability to control body temperature
- Intolerance to heat and / or cold
- Failure to respond adequately to changes in temperature
- Heat exhaustion / heat stroke at 74 degrees F or above
- Temperature triggers or worsens other symptoms
- Extremely cold hands or feet
- Sweating, increases or decreases
- Exercise intolerance
GASTRO
- Stomach pain
- Intestinal Cramping
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Reflux
- Gastroparesis -stomach empties slowly
- Failure to feel hunger
- Taste and Appetite changes
- Decrease in production of saliva
- Dry mouth
MUSCLES / SKELETAL / NEURO
- Muscle pain
- Bone & Joint pain
- Numbness of hands and feet
- Muscle weakness
- Decreased sensitivity to pain or touch
- Hand tremors
- Convulsions
- Migraines
INTELLECTUAL
- Comprehension, brain fog
- Comprehension difficulties -central auditory processing
- Aphasia [speaking] and Speech disturbances
- Dysgraphia -handwriting difficulty
- Problem with speech articulation
- Memory recall deficits
- Problems with math
- ‘Perservation’ or inappropriate topic maintenance
- Regression
- Mood changes
- Forgetfulness
- Disorientation
- Anxiety
- Field dependency / resistance to change
URINARY
- Erectile dysfunction in men
- Urinary incontinence or retention
- Frequent urination
FUNCTIONING
- ADHD - like behavior
- Alteration between lethargy and hyperactivity
- Periods of lethargy [dull eyes, very low energy, incomprehension, non-responsiveness]
- Symptoms of autism
- Involuntary breath-holding
- Rapid alteration in state or states
- Insulin resistance
- Fatigue, chronic or recurring
- Failure to thrive
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