How To Repair Your Autonomic Nervous System After Brain Injury

Autonomic dysfunction is one of the many possible side furnishings of a concussion. It occurs due to damage of the autonomic nervous system.

Unfortunately, most people with autonomic dysfunction do not recognize its symptoms, and therefore alive with it for years without seeking treatment.

To aid yous better understand this problem, you're almost to larn the causes and symptoms of autonomic dysfunction after concussion.

Use the following links to jump ahead to the relevant section:

What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
Causes of Autonomic Dysfunction After Concussion
Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction After Concussion
Diagnosing Autonomic Dysfunction
Treating Autonomic Dysfunction After Brain Injury

What is the Autonomic Nervous System?

Autonomic dysfunction (also chosen dysautonomia) refers to a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

The autonomic nervous arrangement is a network involving the amygdala, hypothalamus, and brain stalk, amidst other areas int he brain. It controls all involuntary bodily functions, such as:

Blood vessel dilation or constriction
Centre rate
Blood pressure
Digestion
Adrenal gland function
Thermoregulation (regulating body temp)

In add-on, the ANS has two distinct branches, called the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, each with its ain purpose.

Causes of Autonomic Dysfunction After Concussion

The two branches of the autonomic nervous system take separate but disquisitional functions:

Sympathetic nervous system (SNS). This branch controls the body's "fight or flight" response. When the sympathetic nervous system activates, your trunk releases adrenaline, which triggers a cascade of responses such as increased eye rate and rapid breathing.
Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This response counters the sympathetic response by decreasing the trunk's response to adrenaline while lowering heart rate and claret pressure.

The parasympathetic system connects to the balance of the body through a cluster of cranial nerves at the base of the skull. Therefore, it is vulnerable to impairment after a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury, which tin lead to autonomic dysfunction.

If an injury affects these fretfulness, the parasympathetic nervous system cannot answer appropriately. As a issue, the SNS will continue to put the body into a constant state of distress. This is known equallysympathetic authorization and means the SNS is more in command than information technology should be.

If the brain injury was severe, the sympathetic response will exist strong and will inundation the trunk with adrenaline and other hormones. If this goes on too long, autonomic dysfunction can occur.

Symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction Afterward Concussion

Woman experiencing symptoms of autonomic dysfunction after concussion

In the past, autonomic dysfunction was thought to only occur after severe brain injuries. However, recent studies take shown that ANS bug are a common and "previously unrecognized cause of dizziness post-obit concussions."

Autonomic dysfunction later on concussion can cause serious side effects. Some of these include symptoms such every bit:

Decreased immune system
Dizziness and fainting upon standing upwards
Loftier or depression blood pressure
Light sensitivity
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
Digestive bug
Cold or heat sensitivity

Depending on how much of your ANS was affected after your concussion, you can feel one or all of these symptoms. In addition, their effects can range from mild to severe.

In addition, autonomic dysfunction, if left untreated for too long, tin can cause cardiac problems, including arrhythmias, arterial blockage, and middle failure.

Therefore, it's crucial to diagnose and treat autonomic dysfunction every bit soon as possible.

Diagnosing Autonomic Dysfunction

man doing stress test to diagnose autonomic dysfunction after concussion

The all-time way to diagnose autonomic dysfunction is by measuring heart charge per unit variability (HRV).

To do this, a doctor will requite the patient a Holter monitor that records heart part for 24 hours. A Holter monitor is a noninvasive device attached to your chest via electrodes, which allows you lot to continue with normal daily activities.

Recording your middle role can aid doctors run across whether your parasympathetic symptom is functioning properly. For example, in healthy persons, there will exist continuous variations in eye rate, sometimes slightly elevated, sometimes depression. This indicates that the ANS is operation well and keeping the trunk regulated.

If autonomic dysfunction is present, however, the heart rate will not show as much variation. It volition either be consistently high or low. That's because there is no longer any dorsum and forth between the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses.

Other methods for diagnosing autonomic dysfunction after a concussion include tests such as a pupillary light reflex test and graded practise testing.

Treating Autonomic Dysfunction

In the vast majority of cases, autonomic dysfunction will resolve once the encephalon recovers from its concussion and the nerve damage heals.

Nevertheless, if symptoms persist or are too severe, the best approach is to treat the symptoms. For example, beta-blockers will assist manage irregular heartbeats, and blood pressure meds can keep your blood pressure level from getting too high or low. Y'all can also manage low blood pressure by making sure lifestyle changes, such every bit:

Elevating the head of your bed
Adding common salt to your diet
Drinking plenty fluids
Wearing compression stockings to prevent blood from pooling in your legs

Some diet changes will too help regulate digestion issues if those are affecting you lot. In addition, certain natural remedies for post-concussion syndrome might be able to reduce your symptoms.

Finally, since symptoms of autonomic dysfunction can vary, it'southward important to talk to your doctor. He or she can aid you lot discover the most effective treatment for your condition.

Understanding Autonomic Dysfunction After Concussion

Autonomic dysfunction typically occurs when a concussion amercement the parasympathetic nerves. This can pb to several serious side furnishings such every bit dizziness, high blood pressure, and excessive sweating.

Since each person with autonomic dysfunction may brandish different symptoms, handling can accept many different forms. Therefore, information technology is crucial to consult with a neurologist before starting whatever specific therapies.