Sympathetic Nervous System Dysfunction Treatment in Westminster Denver Colorado
What
is the sympathetic nervous system (SNS)?
●
Your
sympathetic nervous system is part of your autonomic nervous system. It could
be called your “automatic” nervous system, as it is responsible for many
functions that you don’t have to think about to control. This can include
control of your heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, urination and sweating,
among other functions.
●
Your
sympathetic nervous system is best known for its role in responding to
dangerous or stressful situations. In these situations, your sympathetic
nervous system activates to speed up your heart rate, deliver more blood to
areas of your body that need more oxygen or other responses to help your get
out of danger.
What
does the sympathetic nervous system do? Its purpose?
Your
sympathetic nervous system controls your “fight-or-flight” response. Danger or
stress activates your sympathetic nervous system, which can cause several
things to happen in your body. In response to danger or stress, your
sympathetic nervous system may affect your:
●
Eyes:
Enlarge your pupils to let more light in and improve your vision.
●
Heart:
Increase your heart rate to improve the delivery of oxygen to other parts of
your body.
●
Lungs:
Relax your airway muscles to improve oxygen delivery to your lungs.
●
Digestive
tract: Slow down your digestion so its energy is diverted to other areas of
your body.
● Liver: Activate energy stores in your liver to an energy
that can be used quickly.
These
effects help you in situations where you might need to think or act quickly.
They improve your eyesight, reflexes, endurance and strength. Your sympathetic
nervous system also activates at times when your body’s under strain, like when
you’re exercising or are sick.
Your
sympathetic nervous system activity also affects your immune system and your
body’s repair processes. These effects can help your body start repairs on an
injury quickly if you get hurt.
Neurotransmitters
Your
sympathetic nervous system uses chemicals called neurotransmitters to
communicate. Specifically, these chemicals are norepinephrine, epinephrine and
acetylcholine.
What’s
the difference between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems?
Your
sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems have opposite roles. While your
sympathetic nervous system carries signals that put your body’s systems on
alert, your parasympathetic carries signals that relax those systems.
The
two systems work together to keep your body in balance. Your sympathetic
nervous system takes the lead for as long as is necessary to get you through a
period of danger. Then, your parasympathetic nervous system steps in and
returns things to normal.
Where
is your sympathetic nervous system located?
Most
of the signals that your sympathetic nervous system sends start in your spinal
cord. The signals leave your spinal cord and activate structures called
ganglia. Your sympathetic ganglia then send the necessary signals far and wide
to different parts of your body. This could include your heart, lungs,
arteries, sweat glands and digestive system.
What
is it made of?
The
components of your sympathetic nervous system are similar to those found in
other parts of your nervous system. The main type of cell is a neuron, which
can generate and receive signals.
What are the common conditions and disorders that affect the
sympathetic nervous system?
There
are many conditions and causes of sympathetic nervous system problems. Common
examples include:
●
Type
2 diabetes. Uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes can damage your autonomic nervous
system, including your sympathetic nervous system. An example of this is
orthostatic hypotension, where your blood pressure drops when you stand up.
Diabetes-related neuropathy can damage the nerves that normally trigger a blood
pressure increase reflex when you stand.
●
Anxiety
disorders and chronic stress. Anxiety and chronic stress can strain your
sympathetic nervous system. Over time, that can increase your risk of obesity
and other metabolic problems.
●
Cancer.
Pheochromocytomas are a type of cancer that affects your adrenal glands, which
are at the top of your kidneys. Your adrenal glands produce neurotransmitters,
like adrenaline and norepinephrine. This kind of cancer makes these glands
release too much adrenaline and norepinephrine, which keeps your sympathetic
nervous system far more active than needed.
●
Genetic
conditions. Genetic conditions like amyloidosis can affect your sympathetic
nervous system.
●
Horner’s
syndrome. This condition affects a small part of the sympathetic nervous
connections in your face. This can cause a small pupil, a lack of facial
sweating and eyelid drooping.
●
Infections.
Nerve damage can happen because of viruses and certain bacteria.
●
Multiple
system atrophy. This severe condition is similar to Parkinson’s disease,
damaging autonomic nerves over time.
●
Sexual
dysfunction. Your sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems play a role
in sexual function. Individuals with a penis with sympathetic nervous system
damage may experience priapism, an erection lasting at least four hours.
Without treatment, priapism can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction.
● Trauma. Injuries can cause nerve damage, which may be
long-term or even permanent. This is especially the case when you have injuries
to your spinal cord that damage or cut off sympathetic nervous system
connections farther down.
What
are some common signs and symptoms of sympathetic nervous system problems?
Several
potential symptoms can happen with sympathetic nervous system conditions,
including:
●
Heart
rhythm issues (including arrhythmias).
●
Constipation.
●
Dizziness
or passing out when standing up.
●
Eyelid
droop (ptosis).
●
Fast
heart rate (tachycardia), even when resting.
●
Sexual
dysfunction, including priapism.
●
Sweating
too much (hyperhidrosis) or not sweating enough (anhidrosis).
●
Trouble
digesting food (including gastroparesis).
● Trouble swallowing (dysphagia).
What
are some common tests to check sympathetic nervous system functions?
Potential
tests include:
●
Blood
tests (these can detect many problems, ranging from immune system issues to
excessive amounts of neurotransmitters in your blood).
●
Blood
pressure tests (including ones where your position changes, like the tilt table
test).
●
Electrocardiogram
(EKG).
●
Electroencephalogram
(EEG).
●
Electromyogram
(nerve conduction test).
●
Genetic
testing.
●
Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI).
● Autonomic nervous system testing (this series of tests
checks your body’s ability to control heart rate, blood pressure and sweating).
What
are the common treatments for sympathetic nervous system conditions?
Sympathetic
nervous system condition treatments can take many different forms, and
ultimately, there’s no one type of treatment or approach to these conditions.
Some of them might be as simple as medication or lifestyle changes. Others can
be more complicated.
Some
treatments focus on an underlying cause, which may resolve your sympathetic
nervous system problem at least partially. If a condition isn’t curable,
treatments would likely focus on the symptoms and minimizing the condition’s
effects and progress.
Our expert providers are experienced and skilled
at treating sympathetic nervous system dysfunction and are your source for
expert treatment of sympathetic nervous system dysfunction in Westminster and
Denver Colorado. Not only are we the premier treatment for spine injuries and
chiropractic in Westminster and Denver Colorado, but we also specialize in many
other advanced treatment techniques such as shockwave, cold laser, graston
technique, KT Taping, activator, instrument aided spinal alignments, drop table,
toggle, in house rehab services, and on site digital xrays. We are your Premier
destination for sympathetic nervous system dysfunction treatment in Westminster
Colorado and Denver Colorado Chiropractor.