According to studies by Mayo Clinic, the American Heart Association, the Dysautonomia Project, the American Autonomic Society, and more...there are more than twenty symptoms that may be link to Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction, or ANS disorders. Many ANS disorders often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
Here are the Top 7 Signs you should NOT ignore:
Difficulty Standing Still
Fatigue
Lightheadedness
Nausea or Other Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Brain Fog or Mental Clouding
Palpitations or Chest Discomfort
Shortness of Breath or Difficulty Breathing
There are many other symptoms that may be related to ANS Dysfunction.
Some of the less reported complaints have been:
Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome
Unexplained, Nonlocalized Pain
Poor Saliva Production
Bladder Dysfunction
Frequent Hot and/or Cold Body Sensation
Unusual Vision and Focus Problems even with Corrective Lenses or Surgery
Unfortunately, many physicians may not be aware of what is going on with a patient after much trial & error treatment plans. Patients may be left with the ongoing symptoms without further treatment due to their lack of confidence that anything new will work.
First and foremost, ANS Dysfunction is not widely understood because the "symptoms may cross many specialties in traditional medicine". Additionally, the expenses associated with trial & error treatment plans may discourage patients from getting the help they need.
The American Autonomic Society and The Dysautonomia Project specialize in the discovery plan of ANS Dysfunction. They also have directories of physicians and clinical professionals that specialize in the diagnostic and treatment plans for unexplained signs and symptoms.
Here are important links for more information:
www.americanautonomicsociety.com
www.thedysautonomiaproject.org
www.americanheartassociation.org
While we all strive to maintain a healthy and long life, we are faced with many challenges that may impact our quality of life. Hopefully this information will help you or someone you know.
Most people have not heard much about the Autonomic Nervous System [ANS]. Those that have may have linked ANS to "rest and digest" symptoms or "fight or flight" responses.
Autonomic dysfunction has been linked to several generic health conditions, however the diagnostic aspects of ANS problems are rarely utilized to uncover bottom line patient impairments. This may be due to the lack of understanding the ANS testing benefits, or not having the technology readily available.
ANS testing typically requires a lot of laboratory preparation and patient cooperation as the tests utilized by many labs may take several hours. In addition, physician and technical staff training is almost non existent, except for a few specialty university settings.
Most commercial insurance carriers and Medicare/Medicaid provide coverage for ANS testing. ANS testing is truly an asset in identifying disease in its early stages such as diabetes, strokes, cardiovascular disease, pain causing neuropathies, and more. It also helps differentiate between cardiology problems versus vascular disease, which is huge because while the symptoms are similar, the treatment plans are completely different.
Another benefit of ANS testing is the monitoring of your treatment plan. Having the test done before treatment provides vital information on your current condition. This allows for a better treatment plan in the beginning. A follow up ANS test within a couple of weeks will provide clear indication as to whether the treatment plan is beneficial. If not, your treatment plan may be changed to offer better outcomes earlier rather than later.
Autonomic Nervous System testing is also being used in concussion management. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI, is being utilized by major medical research institutions as a way to measure how much of the autonomic nervous system is impacted from head injuries. One study concluded that long term co-morbidities such as weight gain, depression, diabetes, substance abuse, memory loss, strokes, cardiovascular disease, and much more may be identified as Autonomic Nervous System disorders.
The biggest obstacle in the medical community may be the lack of resources to utilize ANS testing as a part of their diagnostic protocols. The other issue may be the absence of ANS diagnostic facilities to accommodate both the physicians and patients alike.
There are numerous ANS diagnostic centers throughout the USA. Heartland Diagnostics of Missouri, an ANS diagnostics testing facility, is located in the Greater St. Louis area. Similar diagnostic facilities may be found in most large metropolitan areas.
Primary care physicians and specialists such as in Cardiology, Neurology and Vascular practices may benefit from incorporating ANS testing into their patient evaluation plans. Having more objective versus subjective information available for patient assessment may help in developing a more focused treatment plan.
Patients can also self refer for ANS testing. While it may be preferable working with their primary care or specialty physician, patients can utilize potentially life saving diagnostics as a part of their care plan.
The Journal of Neurotrauma published their findings of the more recent analysis of concussions entitled:
"Concussion and Risk of Chronic Medical and Behavior Health Comorbidities"
What they discovered was Concussions Can be Linked to Long Term Health Problems including:
Forty-one percent of the concussion group had concussion with "loss of consciousness", or LOC.
Compared to controls, they found a significant increase in Cardiovascular Disease [CVD] and CVD risk factors including hypertension, sleep disorders and obesity in the 18 to 40 year old group. The report goes on to state that "Concussion patients are at risk for weight gain, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue and reduction in functional health post injury".
Observations from the report that "long term outcomes of repetitive Traumatic Brain Injury" state the consequences of even mild head injury may lead to adverse long-term health outcomes. Additionally the report states "most comorbidities developed less than five years post-concussion".
Measuring multiple system disorders use to require visiting several specialty practices and then having them concur on a single, or multiple diagnosis. This traditional approach may lead to missed appointments, communication errors, or the patient no longer complying to the long term investigation of their chief health complaint(s).
Technology does offer many concussion patients a better looks at their symptoms. Their cardiovascular, neurological and vascular assessments can be completed in 60 minutes or less. Several clinics throughout the USA, such as Heartland Diagnostics of Missouri, offer insight as to what physical systems may be impacted by a concussion.
Concussions are no longer just a Headache, Dizziness, Forgetfulness, or Fatigue. According to the Journal of Neurotrauma, long term medical and behavior health post-concussion may be a life time event.
Because of the Covid-19 pandemic chaos, we are hearing from so many people of all ages that they feel their levels of stress and anxiety has increased.
You may know that long periods of stress and anxiety can leave you feeling tired and worn out, but did you know that it can have serious long-term effects on your health?
Because the “fight or flight” response that is manifested through stress and anxiety is so powerful, it can cause your body to react in extreme ways. Typically, patients who are exhibiting symptoms of long-term, chronic stress will often complain of:
A powerful side effect of stress and anxiety can be a breakdown of the body’s immune system. Something none of us need as we work to avoid COVID-19.
There are tests that can help a medical provider get a look into a patient's Autonomic Nervous System Test, or ANS. There is a lot to know about this test, and following is some information about the Autonomic Nervous System:
I. What is the Autonomic Nervous System?
The ANS is comprised of the nerves that control the function of the internal organs including our heart, intestines, stomach, bladder, sexual organs, and sweat glands. The ANS plays an essential role in keeping the body’s internal environment optimal via monitoring and maintaining proper temperature, electrolyte balance, blood glucose, blood oxygen concentration, blood carbon dioxide concentration, pH, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate to name a few. As you can see, the nervous system is complex and the ANS plays a huge role in keeping us alive and healthy.
II. What is an ANS Test?
An ANS test is a simple, painless, and essentially effortless test that we perform in a clinic or medical provider's office. This test consists of having you lay down while they connect special sensors to your feet. There is also a component where you have your blood pressure monitored on both arms and ankles. Your heart rate and vascular health can easily be assessed with a pulse oximeter device on your finger while you perform different breathing patterns. It takes less than 60 minutes, it is painless and non-invasive while providing important vital health markers and overall diagnostic information.
III. Why is an ANS Test Performed?
ANS testing is performed because of the vast amount of information it gives a medical provider. ANS testing looks at ANS activity, mental stress, vascular health, insulin resistance, and sudomotor function. Medical providers get individual scores for each of these components of the ANS and are then able to assess these areas individually. ANS testing allows them to identify areas of the ANS that could be improved upon and help you optimize your health.
IV. What are the Benefits of an ANS Test?
The main benefit of this test is the early detection of ANS diseases, damage, and dysfunction. Since the ANS is not a system that is easily observed, early detection of dysfunction can enable medical providers to help you make changes in your life to prevent disease or early death. Every disease state affects the ANS in some way and this testing helps us identify early, subtle signs of disease.
V. What Type of Health Recommendations Can I Expect?
You should receive a complete ANS Diagnostic Report and a Wellness Report that is customized to your unique health situation. This individualized reporting process allows you to receive relevant and vital information that is specific to you, and you alone. If your provider does not offer these services, search online for one that does.
VI. How Often Should I get an ANS Test?
Generally, Insurer guidelines recommend having an ANS test performed once per year, usually during your Complete Health Assessment prior to your annual physical if you have a history of ANS dysfunction symptoms. There are some circumstances where the frequency of ANS testing is increased and if necessary, your provider will discuss this with you.
VII. Where Can I Get My ANS Test?
Most search engines will provide you with a local list of ANS clinics. It may take some searching to find the right specialist and/or clinic that is familiar with your specific ANS symptoms.
Heartland Diagnostics of Missouri, located in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, specializes in ANS Testing and Specialty referrals. You can book appointments online and, in many cases, you will be able to have your ANS diagnostic exam completed within a few days.
Migraine is one of the world’s most common health conditions and its most common neurological disease. A neurological disease is something that affects the brain or nerves.
Roughly 39 million people in the United States and 1 billion people worldwide have migraine. This makes migraine the third most common illness in the world.
Migraines are the 6th most disabling disease in the world! It impacts the U.S. economy by almost $36 billion in healthcare costs and loss of productivity! One billion dollars a year is spent on brain scans with people with headaches! Some doctors think these numbers are low since many people with migraines go undiagnosed.
Who gets migraine? Migraine happens to some people more than others. People who are at higher risk of having migraine include:
>Women (8 out of 10 people with migraines are women)
>Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders,
American Indians, and Alaska Natives
>People with a family history of migraines
People aged 18 to 44
>Those with depression, anxiety, and sleep problems
>People who are unemployed
>People who are under age 65 on Medicaid
>Those with income lower than $35K/ yr, especially if they live below the poverty line.
Across the whole economy, 157 million workdays are lost to migraine each year.
Why does a migraine mean someone cannot go to school or work? Because a migraine is more than head pain. It is extreme head pain paired with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, sensitivity to light and sound, and a host of other physical symptoms.
Migraines may have a vascular component. It is suggested that in migraines have a heightened sympathetic tone, resulting in progressive central microvascular constriction. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction are common in patients with migraine, both during and between migraine attacks.
Several studies have evaluated autonomic balance in migraineurs, with conflicting results on the magnitude of sympathetic versus parasympathetic dysfunction. Most studies demonstrate sympathetic impairment, with a lesser degree of parasympathetic impairment.
Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) testing may provide insight as to which major system is contributing to the migraine event. Additionally, ANS testing may differentiate between vascular and neurological impairment. This could be of major help as the treatment protocols between the two are significantly different.
Resources:
(1) Migraine Facts. Migraine Research Foundation. https://migraineresearchfoundation.org/aboutmigraine/migraine-facts. Burch R, Rizzoli P, Loder E.
(2) The Prevalence and Impact of Migraine and Severe Headache in the United States: Figures and Trends From Government Health Studies. Headache. 2018;58(4):496-505. doi:10.1111/head.13281.
(3) A Paradoxical Vasodilatory Nutraceutical Intervention for Prevention and Attenuation of Migraine-A Hypothetical Review PubMed.NCBI.NLM.GOV PMID: 14979884
(4) Migraine and Autonomic Dysfunction: Which Is the Horse and Which Is the Jockey? PubMed.NCBI.NLM.GOV PMID: 29476276
(5) Heartland Diagnostics of Missouri, LLC: Autonomic Nervous System Testing www.heartlanddiagnostics.com
Heartland Diagnostics of Missouri, LLC provides the information and materials on this site for general information purposes only. You should not rely on the information provided as a substitute for actual professional medical advice, care, or treatment. This site is not designed to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any individual. If you believe you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.
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