Dysautonomia
What is Dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia is a condition that affects the autonomic nervous system—the network of nerves that controls involuntary bodily functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, sweating, and temperature regulation. When the autonomic nervous system is not working properly, these essential body functions can become unbalanced, causing a wide range of symptoms that affect quality of life.
At CHRISTUS Health, our multidisciplinary team specializes in diagnosing and treating Dysautonomia, offering compassionate care, advanced testing, and personalized treatment plans to help you regain stability and improve your daily well-being.
Symptoms of Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia can cause symptoms that may come and go or persist over time. Common symptoms include:
- Dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up (orthostatic intolerance)
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes
- Rapid or slow heart rate
- Abnormal sweating (too much or too little)
- Digestive issues such as nausea, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
- Difficulty regulating body temperature
- Fatigue and weakness
- Blurred vision
- Problems with bladder control
Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing dysautonomia:
- Chronic illnesses (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune diseases)
- Family history of autonomic or neurological disorders
- History of nerve injury or neuropathy
- Certain medications
- Older age
- Prolonged bed rest or deconditioning
Diagnosing Dysautonomia
CHRISTUS Health offers advanced diagnostic testing to identify dysautonomia. Your evaluation may include:
- Comprehensive medical history and physical examination
- Autonomic function testing, including tilt table testing
- Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
- Sweat testing to evaluate sweat gland function
- Blood tests to identify underlying conditions
- Nerve conduction studies
- Imaging to rule out structural causes
Outlook with Dysautonomia
The outlook for dysautonomia varies depending on the cause and severity. Some patients experience significant improvement with targeted therapies and lifestyle changes, while others may require ongoing management. Our care team works closely with you to monitor progress, adjust treatments, and provide the resources needed for long-term support.
Prevention of Dysautonomia
While not all dysautonomia disorders can be prevented, you can lower your risk or reduce symptom severity by:
- Managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure
- Staying physically active to maintain nerve health and circulation
- Eating a balanced diet and staying hydrated
- Avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco use
- Regularly reviewing medications with your health care provider
Treatment of Dysautonomia
While there is no single cure for all dysautonomia, treatment focuses on managing symptoms, addressing underlying causes, and improving quality of life. Depending on your diagnosis, your treatment plan may include:
- Lifestyle changes, like increased fluid and salt intake, compression garments, and exercise programs
- Medications to stabilize blood pressure, heart rate, or other symptoms
- Physical therapy to improve mobility and conditioning
- Dietary modifications to support digestion and hydration
- Stress management and mental health support
- Treatment of underlying conditions contributing to autonomic dysfunction
Why Choose CHRISTUS Health for Dysautonomia Care
- Specialized expertise in diagnosing and treating complex autonomic conditions
- State-of-the-art diagnostic tools for precise evaluation
- Multidisciplinary approach with neurology, cardiology, physical therapy, and nutrition services
- Compassionate, patient-centered care tailored to your needs
- Access to ongoing support for both patients and families