Autonomic Dysfunction Specialist in Bartlett

Autonomic dysfunction is a stressful condition and can make you feel detached from your own body. At West TN Neurology Clinic PLLC in Bartlett and Dyersburg, Tennessee, Salman Saeed, MD, FAAPM, has extensive experience diagnosing and treating autonomic dysfunction. With proper care, the symptoms of autonomic dysfunction can be effectively managed, allowing you to enjoy your normal daily routines. When you’re ready to get started on that path, schedule an appointment with neurologist Dr. Saeed online or by phone.

Autonomic Dysfunction Q & A

What is Autonomic Dysfunction?

In order to understand autonomic dysfunction, it helps to think about how your autonomic nervous system works. Your autonomic nervous system is responsible for connecting your brain and some of your organs and other body parts. That connection enables proper function without any conscious input on your end.

Some of the functions controlled by your autonomic nervous system include:

Digestion
Heart rate
Body temperature
Sensation
Breathing rate

When the nerves that make up your autonomic nervous system are damaged, those connections no longer work properly, a condition known as autonomic dysfunction. Diseases like diabetes and Parkinson’s disease can cause autonomic dysfunction.

What are some symptoms of Autonomic Dysfunction?

No two people share the exact same set of symptoms when it comes to autonomic dysfunction. Your experience may include several of these common symptoms:

Digestive troubles
Sexual dysfunction, in both men and women
Vision problems
Dizziness or loss of consciousness upon standing
Inability to increase heart rate during physical exertion
Urinary incontinence

Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. In fact, it’s easy to misinterpret the symptoms of autonomic dysfunction, as they are also signs of many other medical issues.

What is POTS disease?

POTS disease, or postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, is a disorder that affects your blood flow. Normally, your blood moves through your circulatory system at a steady rate, no matter what position your body is in. If the rate of your blood flow changes when you alter your position, you have a condition called orthostatic intolerance. That’s a primary symptom of POTS disease.

Additional symptoms include:

Excessive sweating
Brain fog
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Nausea
Chest pain
Insomnia
Constipation or diarrhea

These symptoms occur because your body is working harder than normal to regulate your blood pressure.

At West TN Neurology Clinic PLLC, Dr. Saeed offers comprehensive diagnostics and treatment for POTS disease. While the condition cannot be cured, there are medications and non-drug treatments available that can help. Lifestyle alterations such as increased exercise, dietary improvements, and sleep enhancement can make a big difference in your daily quality of life.