Alternative Holistic Healing for Autonomic Nervous System Problems
Did you know that there is a link between anxiety and the nervous system? Actually, a number of symptoms like high blood pressure, insomnia, depression, bowel problems, immune system problems, chronic fatigue, allergic reactions and many other symptoms can be rooted back to an autonomic imbalance. If you think you may be suffering from autonomic nervous system problems, alternative holistic healing at Michael Rothman MD is the autonomic nervous treatment you need.
Autonomic Nervous System is the Thermostat of your Body (And much, much more)
Your autonomic nervous system is the part of your nervous system that controls involuntary actions, such as the beating of your heart, the widening or narrowing of your blood vessels, the secretion of hormones and neurotransmitters and countless other regulatory functions. When something goes wrong with your autonomic nervous system, it can cause serious autonomic nervous system problems.
Think of it this way. Chances are you understand how a thermostat works. When the heat is on, the temperature will start to rise, alerting the thermostat that the desired temperature level has been achieved and the heat will turn off. However, after the heat is off for a while, the temperature will drop, reactivate the system and the heat will come back on again. The opposite occurs with an air conditioner. The device will cool the temperature to a certain point and will automatically turn off at the appropriate time. After a while, when the temperature rises above a set point, the air conditioner will again turn on.
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Now imagine the following situation. The thermostat is downstairs in the living room and the window is open on a very cold winter day. The living room is very cold, so the heater stays on. It never turns off because the temperature in the room (where the thermostat is) is very cold. Meanwhile the bedrooms upstairs are extremely hot, unbearably so. This is a big problem; resulting in cold rooms, hot rooms and wasted energy.
Autonomic Imbalance
You’re probably asking at this point, “What the heck does this have to do with my health and autonomic nervous system treatment?” Well, it does, and here’s why. Inside of us, we all have a mechanism for controlling all of our bodily functions as conditions change from one moment to the next. This control mechanism is called the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Composed of two parts – the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) – the ANS controls your heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, pupil size, sweating, immune system, mucus production, caliber of the airways, blood sugar levels, adrenal hormone levels, digestive functions, your immune system and many other functions in your body.
When you’re frightened by a loud noise or threatening situation, your SNS is almost instantly activated. Your heart rate increases, blood pressure rises, pupils enlarge, airways expand, the mucus production in your nose, throat, lungs and bowels cease, your blood sugar rises and your immune system is stimulated. Your body has been programmed through evolution to survive these situations by activating this SNS.
The SNS is like the “gas pedal” in your body. Where there is a gas pedal, there better be a brake, otherwise these functions would continue and your body would suffer harm. The PNS is like the “brake” in your body. When it’s activated, your heart rate decreases, blood pressure drops, pupils constrict, airways contract, the mucus production in your nose, throat, lungs and bowels increase, blood sugar drops and your immune system shifts from cellular immunity to creating antibodies.
Autonomic Nervous System Problems
Some people have very sensitive autonomic nervous systems and can over react to external and internal stimuli. This situation one of the more common autoimmune nervous system problems called Autonomic dysfunction. Autonomic dysfunction (an over or under active system) can lead to many different symptoms.
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For example, an overactive SNS (or under active PNS) can contribute to high blood pressure, palpitations, anxiety, constipation, ulcers, insomnia, high blood sugars, dry mouth, immune system problems and erectile dysfunction. An overactive PNS (or under active SNS) can contribute to low blood pressure, fatigue, depression, diarrhea, ulcers, low blood sugars, anxiety, allergic reactions, asthma, sinus problems and watery eyes and nose.
Autonomic Nervous System Treatment with Alternative Holistic Healing
The autonomic nervous system is one of several homeostatic control mechanisms in you body. Homeostatic control mechanisms maintain stable internal conditions to compensate for changing external conditions. When your body is unable to adequately compensate for changing external conditions, numerous autonomic nervous system problems can result.
If you think you may be suffering from autonomic imbalance, you can benefit from alternative holistic healing from Michael Rothman MD by allowing us to find the root of the problem rather than just treating your symptoms. The SNS and the PNS can be regulated by various foods, supplements and mind-body techniques. For example, the ratio of calcium to potassium is very important to SNS and PNS activity (a high calcium/potassium ratio activates the SNS and a low calcium/potassium ratio activates the PNS). High blood sugar can stimulate the PNS, and low blood sugar, the SNS. There are many other specific minerals, amino acids and vitamins that can affect autonomic balance. At Michael Rothman MD we will first identify any autonomic nervous system imbalance you may have, and then fix your imbalance through properly chosen foods and supplements.
To learn more about alternative holistic healing at Michael Rothman MD and our autonomic nervous system treatment for autonomic nervous system problems, contact us today by giving us a call at (732) 268-7663 or emailing us at [email protected].