The autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves throughout your body that control unconscious processes. These are things that happen without you thinking about them, such as breathing and your heart beating.
There are three main sections in the autonomic nervous system, each with its own job:
Sympathetic nervous system: This system activates body processes. This system is also responsible for your body’s “fight-or-flight” response.
Parasympathetic nervous system: This part of your autonomic nervous system does the opposite of your sympathetic nervous system. This system is responsible for the “rest-and-digest” body processes.
Enteric nervous system: This part of your autonomic nervous system manages how your body digests food.
History
The autonomic nervous system was first recognised by Aelius Galenus (September 129 – 216 AD), a Greek physician, author, and philosopher, working in Rome. His studies of the nervous system, heart, and circulatory systems, although flawed, had surpassed anything previously known, and would be used until the 1500s.
In 1665, Thomas Willis (27 January 1621 – 11 November 1675), known as the father of neurology, published the most complete and accurate account of the nervous system. Thomas Willis was also the first person to use the term "neurology."
In 1898, John Newport Langley (2 November 1852 – 5 November 1925) coined the term "autonomic nervous system" (ANS). He also defined the two divisions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in 1921.
Illness
When the autonomic nervous system does not work correctly, there will be a form of autonomic dysfunction, or dysautonomia.
Autonomic dysfunction can vary in symptoms and severity, and it can stem from a variety of different causes.
Common forms of dysautonomia include:
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS)
Vasovagal Syncope (VVS)
Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)
The Complete Guide to Traveling with POTS/Dysautonomia
Click the image above to learn some useful tips and trick on traveling with POTS/Dysautonomia.
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