Autonomic Disorder: Symptoms and Treatment in Kyiv

The ANS is the autonomic nervous system, which is responsible for the stable operation of the body's organs and functions. It has two opposite but united parts, like "yin" and "yang": the sympathetic part, which activates the body in stressful situations, and the parasympathetic part, which provides relaxation and recovery.

Healthy functioning is regulation based on the balance of these two components. Conversely, an imbalance is an autonomic nervous system disorder (ANS disorder), which leads to discomfort in daily life and suffering.

Clinical and pathological forms of nervous system disorders:

1. Neurocirculatory dysfunction
2. Vegetovascular dysfunction
3. Vegetovisceral dysfunction
4. Paroxysmal autonomic insufficiency

Autonomic Nervous System Disorders: Symptoms and Causes

The ANS controls the normal, coordinated work of the body's systems and their organs: the cardiovascular, urinary, and respiratory systems, the gastrointestinal tract, and others.

An autonomic nervous system disorder is a disruption in the work of systems and organs. Some symptoms:

• heartbeat changes: rapid (tachycardia), irregular (arrhythmia), or slow (bradycardia);
• unstable blood pressure or blood pressure swings;
• fatigue, dizziness, fainting, headache;
• difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air;
• reduced appetite, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain or heaviness;
• increased sensitivity to temperature changes, chills, or sweating;
• muscle weakness, tremor, and others.

Autonomic nervous system disorders sometimes cause disturbances of emotional and psychological state. A person may develop sleep problems or insomnia, anxiety and irritability, panic attacks, or depressive disturbances. Sexual disorders and reduced libido are also observed. Any autonomic disorders reduce working capacity and quality of life in general.

Causes of ANS Disorders

The most common cause is chronic stress. Ways of "relieving" it, such as alcohol, nicotine, drugs, and other toxic substances, only make the condition worse.

A common cause is a lack of B vitamins and minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium, zinc, and other trace elements).

Head or spine injuries, certain infections, and endocrine disorders (diabetes, thyroid disease, hormonal imbalances) can also negatively affect the work of the ANS.

A person may have a genetic predisposition to an ANS disorder.

Autonomic Nervous System Disorder: Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosing the disorder is very difficult because the symptoms can resemble those of other diseases of organs and systems. For more accurate diagnostic data, the following are performed:

• a full patient history: medical history of illnesses, complaints, allergies, past injuries, and infectious diseases;
• a review of the medications taken during the recent period;
• an extended medical and laboratory examination.

A course of treatment is prescribed based on the results of the examination. In each case the prescriptions are individual and depend on many factors: causes, symptoms, and examination results.

ANS problems are usually handled by a neurologist, sometimes a neuropathologist. In some cases a consultation with an experienced psychiatrist is needed.

Autonomic Disorder: Where to Go in Kyiv?

CSM Clinic in Kyiv offers advanced medical technology: state-of-the-art equipment for high-precision diagnostics, innovative treatment methods, and a team of highly qualified specialists from various fields and areas.

For patients with autonomic nervous system problems, our professional neurologist in Kyiv works at the clinic. The neurologist has extensive experience in this area and aims to help restore ANS balance and support a return to a full life.