If you’re suffering from cardiac, bowel, bladder, neurological or other symptoms that have been difficult for your doctor to diagnose and treat, you may have an autonomic nervous system disorder.
NorthShore University HealthSystem Neurological Institute brings together an expert multidisciplinary team and the latest technology to diagnose and treat autonomic nervous system disorders. Our clinic houses state of the art, non-invasive diagnostic testing, and our specialized autonomic care team works with patients and their physicians to develop an individualized autonomic dysfunction treatment plan for adults and children over 7 years of age.
What Is Autonomic Dysfunction?
The autonomic nervous system regulates virtually all of our body functions and systems, such as blood pressure, pulse, body temperature, breathing, sweating, bowel function and sleep patterns. The autonomic nervous system is made up of three parts, including:
- The sympathetic nervous system, which tends to increase and accelerate or speed up body functions
- The parasympathetic nervous system, which tends to slow down, relax and put the brakes on body functions
- The enteric nervous system, which regulates the function of the gastrointestinal tract
Autonomic dysfunction or dysautonomia means that the autonomic system is not working properly. Dysautonomia symptoms may occur during stress (psychological, surgical, in the setting of trauma or another illness like the flu), and may occur during exercise or at rest. Patients with autonomic dysfunction may experience chronic pain, fatigue or sleep problems, heart problems (palpitations, dizzy spells, fainting spells), lung problems (shortness of breath), abdominal problems (heartburn, trouble swallowing, diarrhea/constipation), bladder problems, sweating too much or not enough, trouble with body temperature regulation or sexual dysfunction.
At NorthShore Neurological Institute, we have the best team and the most advanced equipment to recognize autonomic nervous system dysfunction early and manage it proactively.
To learn more about diagnosis and treatment of autonomic dysfunction at NorthShore Neurological Institute or to schedule an appointment, call us at 877.570.7020.