Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system controls functions in the body that take place without conscious control. While there are multiple components of the autonomic system, it can primarily be divided into the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.

A simple way to think about the sympathetic nervous system is that it is what enables flight and fright bodily responses for emergencies and stress. The parasympathetic nervous system allows us to rest and digest.

Both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems have central (within the brain) and peripheral (outside the brain) components and together these two systems essentially control our heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature regulation, sweating, urination, and sexual function. The two systems have different primary neurochemicals which help with signal transmission.

Because of the complexity of the interaction between the components of the autonomic nervous system and the myriad of ways the harmony of the system can be derailed, individuals with autonomic dysfunction may experience symptoms ranging from mild to severe. These symptoms can affect a few or multiple organ functions. Autonomic deregulation or failure may occur alone or be associated with various other neurological and non-neurological diseases.