What Treatment Options Are Available For Dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia is a condition where there is a dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) which controls unconscious body functions such as breathing, blood pressure, and digestion.
To get a better idea of this, imagine your body is like a smartphone that suddenly starts glitching—the screen flickers, apps close unexpectedly, and the battery drains quickly. When the hardware and software of technology is not working the way we expect it can be incredibly frustrating. But when the hardware and software of our bodies is disrupted, the effects can be even more devastating.
So what kind of treatment options are available for dysautonomia? Here we explore a handful of the options that currently exist for the management of this condition.
How do I know if I have dysautonomia?
How do I know if I have dysautonomia? If you’re reading this, it is likely because you or someone you know is dealing with physical and/or mental symptoms that cannot be explained by their Family Practitioners. Those same well meaning practitioners’ diagnosis and treatment plans are often even less helpful.
Top 9 things you need to know about dysautonomia
Dysautonomia is becoming increasingly common; currently over 70 million people worldwide experience the condition (Cleveland Clinic).
1. Treatment Options for Dysautonomia
IVIG Therapy
Let’s continue our smartphone metaphor. Just as a software update can fix bugs in a phone, IVIG therapy introduces new components into the body that can help manage autoimmune aspects of dysautonomia. However, it is somewhat like an expensive phone subscription that only temporarily improves the glitching in the device. While IVIG can significantly improve symptoms, its effects are often temporary and the treatment is costly and not always accessible.
Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) is routinely used for a range of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, and has been used in practice for more than 60 years. Immunoglobulins are proteins (or antibodies) that are produced by plasma cells to detect and kill any foreign invaders such as bacteria, fungi, or viruses. When used in treatment of illness the infusion of new, healthy antibodies decreases inflammation and boosts immune function in the body.
According to studies, the use of IVIG in patients with autoimmune-mediated dysautonomia, documented significant improvement in symptoms. In these studies, IVIG is highlighted as an effective treatment where other therapies have failed, providing symptomatic relief that aligns with the discussion on IVIG's role as a promising, though expensive, option for dysautonomia treatment (Shibao, C., et al., 2020).
Medications
Medications for dysautonomia, like beta blockers and stimulants, act like apps designed to fix specific functions of your phone. Such an app can improve overall function but doesn’t repair the underlying issues, leaving the phone somewhat operational but not as good as new.
Medications often target specific symptoms, improving quality of life, but not curing the underlying condition. (Magkas, 2019).
The specific medications each patient is placed on is based on their unique history and symptoms, as well as the side effects and reactions they experience with each medication. It’s a process that takes teamwork between the patient and physician to figure out what works.
There are multiple types of medications that can be used to decrease the symptoms from dysautonomia and improve quality of life. The success and limitations of common medications like beta-blockers and midodrine in treating dysautonomia symptoms are well-documented. A systematic review in the "European Journal of Neurology" provides insights into how these medications alleviate symptoms by stabilizing heart rate and blood pressure.
Self-Managed Approaches
When official fixes don’t work perfectly, or in the absence of access to medical care, some people turn to do-it-yourself solutions—similar to following online guides to troubleshoot phone issues.
For dysautonomia, this means adjusting diet, lifestyle, and exercise routines, often leading to improvements through trial and error. Lifestyle and dietary changes play a crucial role in managing dysautonomia.
2. Is Dysautonomia Curable?
Understanding Cure vs. Remission
There is a debate if a cure for dysautonomia is possible, or if remission is the goal to shoot for. If we use our phone analogy again, a “cure” would be fixing the phone so well that you can’t tell the difference between it and a new device; whereas “remission” would be a device that works the way it should most of the time, but has the potential to glitch under certain conditions.
While the general consensus in the medical world is that dysautonomia is a lifelong condition that is not curable, many people with the condition have achieved long-term remission, living symptom-free for years.
The concept of remission rather than a cure in dysautonomia is explored in a review in the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology," which discusses long-term outcomes and the fluctuating nature of the chronic illness. The study emphasizes the importance of personalized treatment plans, supporting the idea that while a complete cure may be more difficult, significant improvement and control over symptoms are possible (Bryarly, 2019).
3. Complications Associated with Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia often comes with other conditions in its wake; it's like a phone glitch that leads to other issues—battery problems, overheating, etc. This condition can affect various body systems, leading to immune system issues, organ dysfunction, neuropathy, and more.
Dysautonomia is not an isolated disorder, but one that affects multiple body systems and can lead to a complex array of health issues. This includes its effects on various organs and the multi-system involvement typical of dysautonomia (Mathias, 1995).
4. Practical Advice for Living with Dysautonomia
For those newly diagnosed, the road might seem incredibly daunting. These are some of the tips that can make the condition more manageable:
- Diet and Lifestyle: Increasing sodium intake and hydration, as well as using compression hose can be fundamental to improving circulation and decreasing symptoms.
- Pacing Daily Activities: Adopting a slow, measured pace in daily activities is crucial to maintain energy.
- Rest vs. Activity: Finding the right balance between rest and activity is key to avoiding overexertion and flares of symptoms.
Understanding and managing dysautonomia requires patience, perseverance, and a proactive approach. With the right tools and guidance, individuals can find their path to better health and improved quality of life. (Freeman, R., et al. (2011)).
At the Integrated Health Foundation, we have worked with hundreds of dysautonomia patients and helped many of these patients achieve remission. Please click here to view more about our current programs.
Conclusion
Dysautonomia, much like a smartphone that starts glitching unexpectedly, disrupts the body's automatic functions such as heart rate and digestion, making daily life unpredictable.
In seeking treatment, patients might consider IVIG therapy, medication, and/or dietary and lifestyle changes in order to manage their condition. Working with a qualified physician or team who understands dysautonomia is key to finding the appropriate treatment for each person.
The possibility that this condition is manageable in long-term remission is one that offers hope to everyone with dysautonomia. Despite the challenges, many patients achieve long-term remission, living symptom-free for years, indicating that while a complete cure may be elusive, significant control over symptoms is achievable.
Dysautonomia often does not occur in isolation and can lead to complications affecting various body systems. Practical advice for those living with dysautonomia includes balancing diet and lifestyle adjustments, pacing daily activities, and carefully managing physical exertion to avoid exacerbating symptoms.
Understanding and navigating dysautonomia involves a careful, balanced approach, emphasizing the importance of adapting strategies to individual needs for better health and improved quality of life.
Evaluate Your Symptoms: Do You Have Dysautonomia?
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Evaluate Your Symptoms: Do You Have Dysautonomia?
This tool is for educational purposes and does not provide a diagnosis. Any results from this assessment are meant to be informative and should not replace professional medical advice.
