Autonomic Dysfunction: Causes, Symptoms, and What You Can Do

When your autonomic nervous system, the part of your nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate, digestion, and blood pressure without you thinking about it. Also known as involuntary nervous system, it keeps your body running smoothly behind the scenes. stops working right, simple tasks like standing up or eating a meal can become exhausting. This isn’t just feeling tired—it’s autonomic dysfunction, a condition where the nerves that control automatic body functions misfire or fail. It’s not one disease. It’s a group of disorders that mess with how your body responds to stress, movement, temperature, and even digestion.

Many people with autonomic dysfunction are diagnosed with POTS, a subtype where heart rate spikes abnormally when standing up, causing dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog. Others struggle with orthostatic intolerance, the inability to stay upright without symptoms like lightheadedness, blurred vision, or nausea. These aren’t just "anxiety" or "being out of shape." They’re real, measurable problems tied to nerve signaling gone wrong. Some cases show up after infections like Lyme disease or long COVID. Others link to diabetes, autoimmune disorders, or genetic conditions. Even certain medications can trigger or worsen it.

What you notice most? Dizziness when standing, heart racing for no reason, trouble digesting food, sweating too much or not enough, and extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest. These symptoms don’t show up on a regular blood test. That’s why so many people go years without a diagnosis. But when you understand the pattern—how your body reacts to position changes, heat, or meals—you start seeing the clues. Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about managing triggers, adjusting fluid and salt intake, wearing compression gear, pacing activity, and sometimes using medications that help stabilize blood pressure or heart rate. There’s no magic cure, but many people find ways to regain control.

The posts below cover real-world experiences and practical advice from people living with this condition. You’ll find guides on how medications interact with autonomic symptoms, how diet affects energy levels, what tests actually matter, and how to talk to doctors who don’t take it seriously. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been fighting this for years, these articles give you tools—not just theory.