Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia and the Autonomic Nervous System
Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for conditions in which the autonomic nervous system does not regulate one or more automatic body functions as expected.
The symptoms, causes, and appropriate treatment vary considerably. Some forms mainly affect heart rate and blood pressure, while others can also involve digestion, temperature regulation, sweating, bladder function, vision, or other systems.
Understanding the type and possible cause is an important part of finding suitable support.
re-origin is designed to complement—not replace—appropriate medical assessment and treatment.
A related self-check
Could your symptoms fit POTS?
POTS is one form of dysautonomia. If you experience dizziness, a racing heart, weakness, brain fog, or other symptoms that worsen when upright, the existing POTS Self-Assessment may help you decide whether to discuss further assessment with a healthcare professional.
This self-assessment cannot diagnose POTS or another autonomic disorder. A healthcare professional must interpret symptoms, heart-rate and blood-pressure changes, and other clinical findings.
Understanding dysautonomia
What is dysautonomia?
The autonomic nervous system helps control functions that normally happen without conscious effort, including heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, digestion, sweating, temperature regulation, bladder function, and aspects of sexual function.1, 5
Dysautonomia occurs when one or more parts of this system are not working normally. The term describes a group of disorders rather than one single disease.1
Symptoms may be mild and intermittent or significantly disabling. The pattern depends on which autonomic pathways and body systems are involved and whether dysautonomia is a primary disorder or secondary to another condition.
The symptoms are real physiological dysfunction
Stress and emotion can influence autonomic symptoms, but they should not be used to dismiss symptoms or replace appropriate medical investigation.
One nervous system, many roles
One system, many automatic functions
The autonomic nervous system quietly coordinates functions across the whole body, adjusting them moment to moment without conscious effort.1, 5
Heart rate and circulation
The autonomic nervous system helps regulate heart rate, blood-vessel tone, and blood-pressure responses to posture and activity.
Breathing
It contributes to automatic breathing patterns and adjusts breathing in response to activity and changes in the body.
Digestion
It helps coordinate movement through the digestive system, digestive secretions, and communication between the gut and brain.
Temperature and sweating
It helps regulate sweating, blood flow to the skin, and the body’s response to heat and cold.
Bladder and sexual function
Autonomic nerves contribute to bladder emptying, urinary control, and aspects of sexual function.
Pupils and vision
The autonomic system helps regulate pupil size and visual adjustment to light.
A varied symptom picture
What can dysautonomia feel like?
Symptoms vary depending on the condition and the body systems involved. A person may experience only a few of these symptoms, and the same symptoms can also occur for reasons unrelated to dysautonomia.1, 5
Upright and cardiovascular
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Racing heart or palpitations
- Feeling faint or fainting
- Blood-pressure changes
- Symptoms that worsen after standing
Energy and cognition
- Fatigue
- Reduced stamina
- Brain fog
- Difficulty concentrating
- Exercise intolerance
Temperature and sweating
- Heat intolerance
- Cold intolerance
- Excessive sweating
- Reduced sweating
- Flushing or temperature instability
Digestive symptoms
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Feeling full unusually quickly
Breathing and sensory
- Breathlessness
- Shakiness
- Visual disturbance
- Head pressure or headaches
- Sensitivity to busy environments
Other autonomic symptoms
- Urinary difficulties
- Changes in sexual function
- Dry eyes or mouth
- Sleep disruption
- Symptoms after eating
Symptoms such as chest pain, fainting, breathing difficulty, palpitations, weakness, or neurological changes require appropriate medical assessment rather than being assumed to be dysautonomia.
Dysautonomia is not one condition
Different forms of dysautonomia
The term dysautonomia includes conditions with different mechanisms, clinical features, and treatment needs.1
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
POTS is a form of orthostatic intolerance involving a sustained rise in heart rate after standing, together with chronic upright symptoms, without the blood-pressure drop that defines orthostatic hypotension. 2 , 3
Orthostatic hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension involves a fall in blood pressure after standing. It may be related to dehydration, medication, autonomic nerve dysfunction, neurological disease, or other causes.
Vasovagal syncope
Vasovagal syncope is a common reflex cause of fainting in which heart rate and blood pressure change in response to a trigger. It is not the same as POTS. 4 , 9
Autonomic neuropathy
Damage to autonomic nerves can affect the heart, circulation, digestion, bladder, sweating, pupils, and other organs. Diabetes is one recognised cause, although autonomic neuropathy can have other causes. 5
Primary and inherited disorders
Some autonomic disorders are primary or inherited, including rare conditions such as familial dysautonomia. Their assessment and management require specialist care. 7
Neurodegenerative autonomic failure
Conditions such as multiple system atrophy can involve progressive autonomic failure alongside movement or neurological symptoms. These are medically distinct from POTS and require specialist neurological care. 6
These examples do not cover every autonomic disorder. A healthcare professional must determine whether symptoms fit a recognised autonomic condition and whether another medical explanation is present.
Causes and associated conditions
What can contribute to dysautonomia?
Dysautonomia does not have one universal root cause. The cause depends on the specific disorder, and more than one factor may be involved.1, 5
Primary or inherited conditions
Some autonomic disorders arise independently or are linked to inherited changes affecting autonomic or sensory nerves.
Nerve, metabolic, or neurological
Autonomic dysfunction may occur with autonomic neuropathy, diabetes, peripheral nerve disorders, Parkinsonian conditions, spinal cord disorders, or other neurological disease. 5 , 6
Immune and post-infectious
Some people develop autonomic symptoms following infection or in association with autoimmune or inflammatory illness. The mechanism and evidence differ between conditions.
Medication, dehydration, and other
Medication effects, reduced blood volume, prolonged inactivity, heat, nutritional problems, and other medical factors can worsen orthostatic or autonomic symptoms.
Sometimes no single cause is identified. This does not mean that symptoms are imaginary or unimportant.
Fluctuation over time
Why can symptoms fluctuate?
Many people with autonomic disorders experience periods when symptoms become more noticeable. The pattern varies, and not every person has identifiable triggers.
Heat or hot showers
Stress and strong emotion can also increase heart rate, breathing, and sympathetic activation. This may amplify existing symptoms but does not prove that the underlying condition is psychological.
New, severe, or changing symptoms should not automatically be labelled a flare.
Seek medical advice for new or concerning symptoms
Prompt medical assessment may be needed for new chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting with injury, a sustained or irregular rapid heartbeat, new weakness, one-sided symptoms, confusion, inability to keep fluids down, signs of severe dehydration, or rapidly worsening symptoms.
This is not a complete list. Contact local emergency services when someone may be in immediate danger.
Getting the full picture
How is dysautonomia assessed?
Assessment begins with a detailed history of symptoms, triggers, medication, health conditions, and how symptoms change with posture, meals, temperature, activity, and rest. Examination may include heart rate and blood pressure measured while lying down and after standing.2, 3, 8
Tests are selected according to the suspected condition. They may include an ECG, blood tests, active standing measurements, tilt-table testing, autonomic reflex tests, breathing or Valsalva testing, or tests of sweating such as QSART. Not everyone requires every test.8
Additional cardiac, neurological, endocrine, metabolic, or gastrointestinal assessment may be needed to rule out other causes.
Symptom and medical history
Lying and standing observations
Exclude other possible causes
Targeted autonomic or specialist testing
Individual diagnosis and treatment plan
Wearable heart-rate data can sometimes help describe patterns, but a smartwatch or home reading cannot diagnose POTS or another form of dysautonomia.
Personalised care
Treatment depends on the type and cause
There is no single dysautonomia treatment. Care should reflect the specific diagnosis, possible underlying cause, symptom pattern, other health conditions, and personal circumstances.1, 3
Treating an underlying cause
Where dysautonomia is secondary to another medical condition, treatment may focus on that condition as well as the autonomic symptoms.
Fluid, salt, and compression
For some forms of orthostatic intolerance, clinicians may recommend changes to fluid or sodium intake or the use of compression garments. These approaches are not appropriate for everyone and should reflect blood pressure, kidney, heart, and other health considerations. 3
Movement and rehabilitation
Carefully selected physical rehabilitation may support circulation, strength, and tolerance in some people. The starting point and progression should reflect disability, post-exertional symptoms, and the person’s diagnosis.
Medication
Medication may be used to target heart rate, blood pressure, blood volume, blood-vessel tone, digestion, nausea, bladder symptoms, or another specific problem. Medication choice depends on the diagnosis and must be managed by the prescribing clinician.
Daily and practical support
Temperature management, meal adjustments, pacing, sleep support, mobility aids, workplace adjustments, and mental-health support may help reduce the everyday impact of symptoms.
Do not start, stop, reduce, or change medication, fluid, or salt intake based solely on this page.
The brain and autonomic nervous system
Where does neuroplasticity fit?
The brain and autonomic nervous system continuously adapt to experience, posture, activity, stress, illness, and the body’s internal signals. Neuroplasticity describes the nervous system’s capacity to change through learning and experience.
For some people living with chronic autonomic symptoms, repeated fear, symptom monitoring, avoidance, disrupted breathing, reduced activity, and stress physiology can become part of the wider symptom experience. Addressing these patterns may support coping, confidence, and daily functioning.
This does not mean that dysautonomia is caused by thoughts, that symptoms are voluntary, or that brain retraining can repair every form of autonomic nerve damage or neurological disease.
Research and clinical guidance support condition-specific medical care for autonomic disorders. Neuroplasticity education, somatic regulation, psychological support, and paced behavioural change may complement care, but they should not be presented as established stand-alone treatments for every form of dysautonomia.
Educational video
Understanding POTS and nervous-system regulation
In this re-origin video, Katie discusses POTS symptoms and introduces brain-body and somatic approaches that some people use alongside medical care.
This video provides general education and does not diagnose or medically treat POTS or another form of dysautonomia.
Shared as optional general education, not a treatment prescription.
The re-origin approach
Supporting regulation, confidence, and everyday practice
re-origin is a neuroplasticity platform for nervous-system health. We bring together science-informed education, brain-body practices, somatic regulation tools, coaching, and community support.
For people living with dysautonomia, re-origin may offer complementary support for stress sensitivity, symptom-related fear, body awareness, consistency, pacing, and rebuilding confidence in everyday activities.
Understand interacting patterns
Explore how symptoms, attention, stress responses, habits, emotions, behaviour, and the environment can influence one another.
Work through the brain and body
Combine neuroplasticity education with body awareness and somatic regulation practices.
Build gradual consistency
Use small, repeatable practices that can be adapted to personal capacity and medical needs.
Learn with support
Access coaching options and a community of people who understand complex chronic symptoms.
Science-informed neuroplasticity programs, practices, coaching, and community for nervous system regulation. Built by people who’ve lived it. Designed to meet you where you are. Carried by community.
re-origin does not diagnose or medically treat dysautonomia, POTS, autonomic neuropathy, or another neurological or cardiovascular condition. It should complement—not replace—assessment and treatment from qualified healthcare professionals.
Member story
Autumn’s story: living beyond POTS and chronic illness
Autumn shares her personal experience of POTS, Lyme disease, autoimmune illness, and the role that neuroplasticity training and re-origin played within her wider journey.
Autumn’s story reflects her individual experience. Results vary, and a testimonial cannot establish that re-origin treats dysautonomia or predict another person’s outcome.
Related topics
Related symptoms and experiences
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Symptoms triggered by standing, heat, exertion, meals, or changes in circulation.
Racing heart and tachycardia
A rapid heartbeat at rest or an excessive increase with standing or minimal activity.
Explore racing heart →
Heat intolerance
Feeling faint, overheated, or significantly worse in warm environments.
Explore heat intolerance →
Exercise intolerance
Difficulty tolerating activity, with symptoms during or after exertion.
Explore exercise intolerance →
Chronic nausea
Persistent nausea that may be associated with autonomic or digestive dysfunction.
Explore chronic nausea →
Brain fog and cognitive difficulties
Problems with concentration, memory, processing speed, or mental clarity.
Explore brain fog →
Keep reading
Continue exploring dysautonomia and POTS
Effective dysautonomia treatments
Explore medical, practical, and supportive approaches used across different autonomic conditions.
How the autonomic nervous system works
Learn how the autonomic nervous system works and explore approaches that may support regulation.
Who treats POTS?
Understand which clinicians may be involved in the assessment and management of POTS.
Will post-COVID POTS go away?
Explore post-viral POTS, possible recovery patterns, and the importance of individual medical care.
Supportive POTS strategies
Review lifestyle and supportive strategies that may form part of a wider, clinician-guided POTS plan.
Somatic exercises
Explore gentle brain-body practices, including a section created for people living with POTS.
Questions
Questions about dysautonomia
Is dysautonomia one specific disease?
No. Dysautonomia is an umbrella term for disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system. The causes, symptoms, treatment, and outlook differ between conditions.1
Is POTS the same as dysautonomia?
What are common symptoms of dysautonomia?
How is dysautonomia diagnosed?
Diagnosis is based on the symptom history, examination, lying and standing measurements, exclusion of other causes, and targeted testing where appropriate. Tests may include an ECG, blood tests, tilt-table testing, autonomic reflex testing, or sweat testing.8
Can a smartwatch diagnose POTS?
No. Wearable data may show patterns worth discussing, but a watch cannot establish the full diagnostic criteria or rule out another cause.
Can dysautonomia improve?
Some people experience substantial improvement, while others require longer-term symptom management. The outlook depends on the type, cause, severity, other health conditions, and response to treatment.
Is dysautonomia caused by anxiety?
No. Anxiety does not explain all dysautonomia. Stress and anxiety can affect heart rate, breathing, and autonomic activation and may worsen symptoms, but autonomic symptoms should receive appropriate medical assessment.
Should everyone with dysautonomia increase salt and water?
No. Increased sodium and fluid may be recommended for some people with orthostatic intolerance, but they can be unsuitable for people with certain blood-pressure, heart, kidney, or other health conditions. Follow individual clinical advice.
Can neuroplasticity help with dysautonomia?
Neuroplasticity-based education and brain-body practices may help some people work with stress sensitivity, fear, attention, breathing, avoidance, and daily regulation. They are not proven stand-alone treatments for every cause of dysautonomia and cannot replace condition-specific medical care.
Is re-origin a treatment for dysautonomia?
No. re-origin provides science-informed education, neuroplasticity practices, coaching options, and community support. It does not diagnose or medically treat dysautonomia or POTS.
When should I seek urgent medical help?
Seek urgent assessment for new severe chest pain, serious breathing difficulty, fainting with injury, an irregular sustained heartbeat, new neurological symptoms, severe dehydration, or other rapidly worsening symptoms.
Small steps can support greater confidence
Living with unpredictable autonomic symptoms can make ordinary activities feel uncertain. Understanding your condition, receiving appropriate medical care, and building supportive daily practices can each have a role.
Explore how re-origin brings together nervous-system education, brain-body practices, coaching, and community support alongside appropriate care.
Medical disclaimer
The information on this page is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition and does not replace assessment, diagnosis or treatment from qualified healthcare professionals. Do not start, stop or change medication or treatment based on this page. Seek appropriate medical advice for new, severe, worsening or unexplained symptoms.
References
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Dysautonomia — Glossary of Neurological Terms. NINDS (accessed July 2026). View source
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). NINDS (accessed July 2026). View source
- Raj SR, Fedorowski A, Sheldon RS. Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. CMAJ. 2022;194:E378–E385. View source
- Sheldon RS, Grubb BP, Olshansky B, et al. 2015 Heart Rhythm Society Expert Consensus Statement on the Diagnosis and Treatment of POTS, Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia, and Vasovagal Syncope. Heart Rhythm. 2015. View source
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Autonomic Neuropathy. NIDDK (accessed July 2026). View source
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Multiple System Atrophy. NINDS (accessed July 2026). View source
- Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. Familial Dysautonomia. GARD (accessed July 2026). View source
- Low PA. Testing the autonomic nervous system. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. 2013. View source
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Syncope (Fainting). NINDS (accessed July 2026). View source