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Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction

Meaning

Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction, or Dysautonomia, refers to a clinical state characterized by impaired regulation of involuntary bodily functions controlled by the autonomic nervous system (ANS). These functions include heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, body temperature, and respiration, which are vital for maintaining physiological homeostasis. The dysfunction can manifest as a wide spectrum of symptoms, such as orthostatic intolerance, syncope, chronic fatigue, and gastrointestinal motility issues, significantly impacting an individual’s quality of life. This condition highlights a failure in the finely tuned balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the ANS.