The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for many aspects of your health. This system regulates functions like digestion, sweating, breathing, blood pressure, heart rate, and other automatic bodily processes.
The health of the ANS is critical to your overall health and well-being. Imbalances or dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system can disrupt many essential, automatic processes. ANS dysfunction can lead to a range of disruptive or uncomfortable symptoms.
Addressing autonomic nervous system imbalances begins with an understanding of this system, as well as potential issues and common symptoms. This article will explore five common signs of ANS imbalance and what steps you can take to correct it.
Autonomic testing can help identify ANS dysfunction and assist your holistic health team in creating an effective plan to address it. If you are experiencing signs of autonomic nervous system imbalance, find autonomic testing and comprehensive treatment at The Hartman Center. Contact our intake team now to learn more about our testing and treatment options, or to schedule an appointment.
What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
Your nervous system is your body’s information processing center. It is a complex system consisting of the central nervous system (CNS), which is the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system (PNS), which consists of nerves throughout the body.
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a component of the peripheral nervous system. The ANS controls involuntary functions, such as breathing, heart rate, and digestion. The goal of the ANS is to maintain homeostasis, which refers to a state of balance and regulation.
The autonomic nervous system has two parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. Here is an overview of these two systems.
Sympathetic Nervous System
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is the part of the nervous system that responds to stress or danger. In these situations, the SNS is activated, resulting in an increase in CNS activity. Some symptoms of SNS activation include:
- Elevated heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Decreased digestive activity
- Faster breathing
- Increased blood flow to muscles
- Dilated pupils
These changes can provide a “boost” in strength or energy, allowing people to escape or fight their way out of a dangerous or stressful situation. This is why some people refer to the SNS as the “fight or flight” system.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The parasympathetic nervous system has the opposite role of the SNS. Its role is to balance the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, allowing people to “rest and digest” during times of safety.
Parasympathetic nervous system regulation may look like:
- A slow, steady heart rate
- Increased digestive activity
- Slow, relaxed breathing
- Constricted pupils
- Sexual responses
The parasympathetic nervous system can “turn on” when you feel safe, relaxed, or calm.
What is the Role of the Autonomic Nervous System?
Generally, the role of the autonomic nervous system is to maintain homeostasis (stability and consistency in functioning) throughout the body. The ANS maintains homeostasis by regulating systems that keep people alive, including:
- Heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation
- Digestion
- Pupillary reactions
- Sweating
- Immune system functioning
- Lung function and breathing
- Gland functioning in the eyes, nose, and mouth
- Reproductive functioning, including sexual arousal
- Urinary tract functioning
- Pancreas and liver functioning
The two parts of the ANS (the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems) work together to respond to internal and external changes. For example, the sympathetic nervous system may activate in response to a stressful event, and the parasympathetic nervous system would then work to help the body recover afterward.
Both parts of the autonomic nervous system must work in harmony. Balance in the ANS can mean better health and well-being. However, many conditions can impact the health of the ANS, causing a range of symptoms and conditions.
Autonomic nervous system imbalances may occur at any time in your life. If you live with new or worsening symptoms of ANS dysfunction, find the testing, information, and treatments you need at The Hartman Center.
The Top Five Signs Your Autonomic Nervous System is Out of Balance
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for many of your body’s automatic functions. This system maintains the body’s balance by regulating the functioning of many systems. Imbalances in the ANS can result in many disruptive symptoms.
Recognizing the symptoms of ANS imbalance can help you identify a problem and take steps to address it. Here are five signs your autonomic nervous system is out of balance.
Heart rate fluctuations
The autonomic nervous system regulates heart rate. It can increase or decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and circulation in response to stimuli like stress and exercise. Medical conditions, medications, and certain lifestyle factors can cause ANS imbalances that lead to heart rate issues.
Dysfunction in the ANS may result in:
- Tachycardia (consistently high heart rate) even when a person is at rest
- Brachycardia (a slow heartbeat) that causes dizziness, fatigue, shortness of breath, and fainting
If you or someone you love experiences changes in your heart rate, it may be a sign of an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system.
Bladder and urinary issues
Autonomic nervous system imbalances may lead to significant, disruptive urinary system issues. People may experience symptoms that include:
- Urinary incontinence (not being able to hold in urine or leaking)
- Overactive bladder
- Nocturia (nighttime urination)
- Difficulty emptying the bladder
- Changes in frequency of urination
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a person’s functioning and quality of life. If you or a loved one experiences these or other urinary symptoms, it may be a sign of an ANS imbalance that requires attention.
Digestive symptoms
The autonomic nervous system plays a crucial role in digestive and gastrointestinal functioning. It regulates the balance of bacteria in the gut, stomach acid production, motility in the stomach and intestines, and other functions.
An ANS imbalance may show up as symptoms like:
- Bloating
- Gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
Stress, medications, and medical conditions can negatively impact ANS functioning, resulting in digestive and GI issues. It is crucial to explore autonomic nervous system health if you are experiencing new or worsening digestive symptoms.
Blood pressure issues
Your blood pressure is one measure of your overall health and the functioning of your cardiovascular system. The autonomic nervous system plays a vital role in regulating your blood pressure levels.
Imbalances in the ANS may result in:
- Hypertension (elevated blood pressure)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Aging, medications, autoimmune diseases, and other medical conditions can lead to an ANS imbalance, which affects blood pressure. Discuss any changes in blood pressure or other symptoms you have noticed with your functional neurologist.
Sweating issues
The autonomic nervous system helps to regulate the production of sweat. An imbalance or dysfunction in the ANS may result in:
- Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- Hypohidrosis (insufficient sweating)
Healthy sweat responses are one measure of general health. Issues like excessive sweating in one area of the body or a lack of sweating can be a sign of an ANS imbalance.
If you or someone in your life exhibits these or other signs of ANS imbalance, find autonomic testing and treatments at The Hartman Center. Getting the information and treatment you need can help you live the healthier, fuller life you choose.
How to Assess Autonomic System Functioning
An autonomic assessment is a type of test that can assess the health and balance of your ANS. There are several types of testing that evaluate your ANS health, including:
- The Tilt Table Test
- Quantitative Sudomotor Axon Reflex Test (QSART)
- Thermoregulatory Sweat Test (TST)
- Deep Breathing Test and Valsalva Maneuver
- Bladder Ultrasound
A functional neurologist may offer these tests to assess the functioning of specific aspects of the autonomic nervous system.
Autonomic testing is a non-invasive way to evaluate the functioning of the ANS and pinpoint underlying causes of symptoms. People may participate in autonomic testing to identify a condition, monitor its progress, or aid in treatment for specific conditions.
Here is an overview of how people integrate autonomic assessment into a comprehensive approach to identifying and treating conditions.
Assessing conditions
Autonomic imbalances can be a symptom of several chronic conditions, including:
- Diabetes
- Infections
- Autoimmune conditions
- HIV
ANS imbalances can be irregular, undefined, or systemwide. Inconsistent symptoms can make it challenging to diagnose chronic conditions accurately.
Autonomic assessment can pinpoint the systems impacted by ANS imbalances. This information can help practitioners identify chronic conditions and treat them more effectively.
Monitoring the progression of conditions
Autonomic testing creates a baseline of ANS functioning. It enables individuals to identify current symptoms of ANS dysregulation and monitor the progression of chronic conditions. It can also help people recognize what treatments lead to stabilization or improvements.
Guiding effective treatment
Autonomic assessment provides a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s functioning and symptoms, enabling the accurate identification of conditions. This can guide a practitioner’s treatment approaches and allow them to adjust treatment to meet each person’s unique needs at every stage of the process.
You do not have to simply accept new or worsening symptoms as your new way of life. Find the information, resources, testing, and treatment you need to be the healthiest version of you at The Hartman Center.
Get an Autonomic Assessment
If you or someone in your life is experiencing new or changing symptoms of ANS imbalance, you are not alone. Don’t just accept them–do something about it. Getting an autonomic assessment is the first step toward managing or improving your disruptive symptoms. Contact the functional neurologists at The Hartman Center to learn about our assessments, therapies, and treatment programs.