Dysautonomia: A Manageable Genetic Link?

More physicians, researchers and book writers are coming to the basic conclusion that inflammation is at the basis of most disease. Inflammation, an important reaction of our body to injury or infection, is basically our immune system working to protect and heal the body following physical injury or infection. However, chronic inflammation in response to constant injury, infection, internal pollutants or environmental factors, is still the body's natural response but isn't helpful and can cause a lot of problems.  

Current disease research on TLR Receptors (Toll-like receptors) is showing that these receptors respond to various threats, whether this be physical trauma, food (or alteration in our food such as GMO, pesticide, herbicide or preservatives) and stress, that are perceived by these receptors as foreign. This causes an immune response which often results in the typical symptoms of IBS, chronic fatigue, migraine, dysautonomia, fibromyalgia, reflux, esophagitis and other digestive or nervous system issues. Knowing that this connection exists between the TLR receptors and these and many other ailments gives us a place to start improving or lessening these reactions by finding out what triggers these receptors, and eliminating those triggers as much as possible. And, as many would guess, Sensitivity to threat is made worse or less by whether oxidative stress is higher or lower so reducing that stress can be helpful, too.

Dr. Dr. Graham Exelby MBBS (UQ) ACNEM in Australia believes that many of us were born with a genetic trait left to us by the Vikings when they raped and pillaged through Europe in the times of the Viking invasions-namely what's called a MTHFR mutation, which among other effects, messes up collagen and the ligaments, tendons, skin it's composed of.  Vitamin B12 is showing promise to those with the MTHFR gene mutation at improving the health of collagen tissues and reducing inflammation, so this is another thing to possibly check if you have a dysautonomia diagnosis, that may lead to an improvement of symptoms with B12, if that gene mutation is present.

At very least, if  you have a genetic predisposition to excessive TLR firing or MTHFR mutation causing issues and you can learn to avoid the triggers that cause symptoms, you may be able to reduce or eliminate certain symptoms!

Your best bet, though, is to call a dysautonomia specialist such as those at Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring more than 40 years of autonomic disorder expertise, as well as expertise in other disciplines such as internal medicine for a more comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan.  Wherever you are, do yourself a favor and call Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC today and get the answers you deserve. You'll be glad you did!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Mindfulness Meditation: Good for Autonomic Disorders, Too?

Turns out, many people are finding that engaging in regular, simple mindfulness based meditation is very effective for activating the parasympathetic nervous system and stimulating the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and endorphins which help us feel more relaxed, harmonious, balanced and happier. Knowing what we know about autonomic disorders, it makes sense that feeling more relaxed and balancing the nervous system could improve or decrease symptoms associated with autonomic disorders.

 

Once thought of as something of a religious nature, it is becoming clear to more and more people that meditation is not necessarily religious in nature, but simply a tool that has been used for thousands of years to successfully support the mind, body and spirit in ways that diet, exercise or medicine cannot. Combined with deep breathing exercise along the way, this extra oxygenation of the blood and release of CO2 (when you breathe out), is also very beneficial to tissues and helps regulate the nervous system as well. So, by using mindfulness meditation we can at least reduce or eliminate the stress that often makes autonomic disorder symptoms worse.

Mindfulness meditation and any activity really, that brings feelings of peace, harmony, oneness with the Universe, yoga, massage, etc., can also aid in soothing your nervous systems by releasing stress. A good tool for this is found at Centerpointe.com with their research-based meditation program. You can also seek out a good yoga studio and get meditation help from someone that practices in your area, or just do some searching on Google about mindfulness meditation and get started right where you are, today, for free.

 

Another important point about regular meditation is that it does provide lasting positive changes to the brain patterns and neurotransmitters that leads to more balance between body systems and better health as a result.  In fact, there is a study that shows the positive effects of yoga and meditation on neurological disorders--you can read more on that here:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548360/

As always, however, for the best direction regarding the specific treatments that works best for your individual situation, you'll want to seek the help of leading doctors in the autonomic disorder treatment field. Two of those doctors are available at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL, and you can get help wherever you are since they provide assistance to patients and consult with other physicians in Birmingham and nationwide. Give them a call today to get a personalized plan to improve your symptoms today at 205-286-3200. You'll be glad you did.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Vitamin Deficiencies and Dysautonomia

It's no secret that a range of vitamins and other nutrients are required for optimal human health. Many vitamins, such as Vitamins E, B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin) B6 (pyridoxine), and B12 are important for the proper functioning of nerves, and the nervous systems in general. Alcoholism commonly causes a deficiency in thiamine. B12 deficiencies often cause digestive problems for those with autonomic disorders such as dysautonomia syndrome, POTS, etc.

Maintaining good nervous system health is important for everyone, but much more important for those with autonomic disorders. And while vitamin deficiencies can usually be corrected by improving the diet and / or supplementing, finding out exactly what is needed through testing first is a much better approach because many people have very different nutrient needs that one multivitamin cannot cover accurately for everyone. This is one reason why there is so much debate over taking vitamins, multivitamins, etc, because for some they help, others it's not enough or too much of certain nutrients, which either doesn't help, or creates more trouble.

A hair analysis is one particularly good test because it can show many things about various metabolic processes in the body and point out deficiencies, excessive levels of certain things that might be bothering you.  Again, proper testing before supplementation is often the smarter approach and saves you money by keeping you from buying all sorts of vitamins that you may not need. Further, there is a body of compelling nutrient deficiency research from the Walsh Institute in Naperville Illinois showing that many people are prone to be deficient in certain nutrients more than others, due to genetics and other factors.

Those with dysautonomia or POTS typically have deficiencies or abnormal levels of vitamin c, zinc, pantethine, folic acid, b12, b1, b2, b3, pyridoxal 5 phosphate, as well as a variety of amino acids, fatty acids and minerals. An Organic Acids test is another good place to start for identifying nutritional deficiencies.The good news is that there is growing evidence that many illnesses, both mental and physical, can be been greatly improved or eliminated by testing and proper individualized supplementation.

Your best bet to find out if a vitamin deficiency could be a factor with your dysautonomia symptoms is to visit the doctors at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring more than 40 years of autonomic disorder experience and successful dysautonomia and POTS treatment history to you, with individualized treatment plans and the latest technology and research to help you get better, faster. No matter where you are located, call for an appointment today at 205-286-3200. Dr. Moore and Dr. Phillips provide help to patients in the Birmingham AL area, and nationwide.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Dysautonomia: Why Conventional Medicine Often Misdiagnoses

Something is off. You know you don't feel right, but your family, friends and even doctors tell you 'you're fine'. The recurring headaches, dizziness, abnormal fatigue, constant thirst, tummy trouble, (such as reflux, GERD, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, etc), fast or slow heartbeat when you get up from laying down, and other symptoms can each point to a variety of causes. And, you go to the doctor and of course, you get a variety of explanations and treatments that don't seem like they're 'on target'. Why does this happen?

Well, most doctors are taught to look for the obvious symptoms and make some conclusions or general decisions before going deeper.  And for many ailments, this practice does get them 'on the green' so to speak and the patient generally going the right way toward feeling better. The problem is that most physicians aren't aware of the fact that dysautonomia can encompass so many different symptoms at once, and some physicians don't even recognize it as a separate definable condition. So, each symptoms is looked at and often treated separately, and the doctors can't see the forest for the trees--until the patient or someone familiar with dyautonomia points it out.

Sometimes there are so many symptoms present that it sounds like 'everything' is wrong, which often points the doctor to hypochondria, leading them further to conclude that the patient must need medicine for depression. Most doctors tend to stick to the numbers, test results and statistics, and this usually works out well. However, keeping those 'numerical and data blinders' on can keep them from seeing what is really going on. And the more a patient's folder fills up with lab tests and follow-up visits, it can give the illusion of progress. Meanwhile,  the patient can continue to suffer for years without real improvement.  For women, this can really wreak havoc, since between 75 and 80 percent of POTS patients are female and of the menstruating age. So if they don't get help but do get pregnant, this can lead to development issues for the baby.

What's the bottom line?  We're not here to pick on your family physician;  rather, we're here to explain why they miss misdiagnose sometimes, and to say speak up about your symptoms. And don't just accept a dysautonomia diagnosis if something doesn't feel right--especially if you are or are thinking about getting pregnant.

Even better, if you have a few of the symptoms described above and can't put your finger on why, take that one extra step and see the doctors at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham AL. They'll quickly help you determine if you have dysautonomia, POTS or some related disorder and get you on the right track to feeling better--fast.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Could Vitamin C Help Circulation for POTS Syndrome Sufferers?

It appears so. Dr. Julian Stewart, through over 10 years of  POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) research among adolescents found that symptoms of low flow POTS (LFP) which involves faintness and increased vasoconstriction, resulting in restricted blood flow, were reduced with the administration of Vitamin C. The vitamin C was administered systemically (not orally), and was found to normalize blood flow to the legs in all patients fairly quickly.

More specifically, peripheral resistances were decreased by nearly 50% after ascorbate (Vitamin C). Calf capacitance and venous resistance were decreased compared with control but normalized with ascorbate. These data provide experimental support for the concept that oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide possibly contribute to vasoconstriction and venoconstriction of LFP.  So it makes sense, as the researchers concluded, that the normalizing effect of vitamin C was due to its powerful antioxidant properties.

Could Vitamin C be good for dysautonomia patients in general?  It certainly seems possible, since better circulation or more normalized peripheral resistance would help lessen problems with blood and lymph fluids staying in one area too long, i.e. pooling in the legs, etc. This could enhance exercise tolerance, as well, for the same reason. 

Rather than wondering, however, your best bet is to seek the advice of a POTS syndrome specialist, such as those at Dyautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL. This is a world class treatment center with some of the most experienced autonomic disorder doctors available. Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips will be able to help you determine if Vitamin C protocols would be helpful in your situation and help put together a plan that works for you.

 

Do yourself a favor and call for an appointment today at 205-286-3200.  Whether you're in the Birmingham AL area or not, they can still help as Dyautonomia-MVP Center LLC  works with dysautonomia and POTS patients nationwide.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

How Sleep Quality Affects Severity of Dysautonomia Symptoms

Getting good sleep is often much easier said than done for those with dysautonomia and related illnesses. Because the autonomic system isn't functioning properly (which has a lot to do with sleep quality), sleep isn't always as continuous or restful as they want and need it to be. A common issue with dysautonomia patients is unbalanced electrolyte levels, which are made worse by a diet that doesn't consistently supply good amounts of sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. This disrupts sleep because, without these necessary electrolytes, various mechanisms in the body used for repair and digestion must 'rob' organs and tissues for these nutrients to complete their processes. This 'robbing' effect can disturb the body's electrical system, both sympathetic and parasympathetic, affecting daily energy as well as sleep quality.

 

And, if you add stimulants that overtax the body's adrenal system coupled with inadequate hydration, and you've got a recipe for poor sleep quality and low energy or fatigue the next day. This isn't a good practice, even for those without a dysautonomia diagnosis. Because of recent research, many doctors are looking first to improve sleep their chronic fatigue and chronic pain patients, and those with dysautonomia for sure. So it makes sense to take a look at your daily habits as the closer you get to a good diet, lower stimulant intake and proper hydration, the more likely you are to get better sleep, which helps reduce the severity of a variety of unpleasant bodily malfunctions.

 

Do your own research on the above points, share your findings with your doctor and work with them on how to better improve your sleep habits. Take your own measurements and see how much sleep actually makes you feel best, correlating that with what you did the during the day with diet, exercise, hydration, electrolytes, etc. Some people need only 6 hours while others need 8-9 hours of sleep per night--but you have to see what works for you and understand that how much sleep you need also varies with your body's overall health.  It may also be a good idea to take a break before you feel tired, if possible and certainly when you do start to feel tired. Bottom line--listen to your body as it is constantly telling you how to proceed by how you feel.

 

For the best advice on anything related to dysautonomia, do yourself a favor and check out Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham AL. Whatever questions you have about anything related to an autonomic disorder, the doctors here at this facility bring more than 40 years of successful treatment experience and can answer virtually any concern you have. Call them today at 205-286-3200 and schedule an appointment. One piece of information at the right time could change your life for the better!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Diet: It May Be a Big Factor Related to Dysautonomia

It's pretty widely accepted that another factor that contributes a great deal to overall well-being is a healthy diet full of whole natural foods, including quality clean protein, fiber, fruits, and vegetables. And don't forget the good fats like omega 3, 6 and 9 from grass fed butter, avocados, olive oil, etc--they are sometimes the most healing of all!  No refined sugars or white flours, limit caffeine, and avoid chemicals, mold and preservatives. It's also a good idea to find out if you have any food allergies or intolerances--It’s amazing how many people food intolerances and allergies that they don’t realize are contributing to their symptoms. Keep in mind that a food allergy is handled differently than a food intolerance, so be sure to get your doctor or dietitian to help you determine which is which for you.

 

Unfortuntely, though, many regular MD-type doctors will disregard the idea of food intolerances, so you probably want to ask your dysautonomia doctor or another more natural-oriented physician, or a registered dietitian for help with evaluating whether food intolerances and allergies are an issue for you or not.  There is a great guide to figuring out what are your best and worst foods at a site called Bulletproof.com or you can look up the Bulletproof Diet online. There is a free diagram you can download and figure through your own testing what works for you and what doesn't.  One thing that does seem to consistently help people feel better in general is to completely stop eating anything made with wheat and try to eat organic and grass-fed meats / dairy so you avoid the herbicides and pesticides that disrupt your biology in so many ways.

 

For those with Dysautonomia, an increased sodium diet is usually recommended with extra fluid intake, which naturally helps maintain good blood volume and blood pressure. Some dysautonomia specialists recommend 2-4grams of salt per day (a full teaspoon is about 5 grams), and 64-96 ounces of water per day. Also, how often you eat affect your energy levels. Some say eat 6 small meals a day, instead of 3 large meals. Others say eat 3 meals a day. Still others recommend two meals and a snack or two per day. Bottoms line--you need to find out what pattern of eating works for you, so keep experimenting and find what pattern keeps you feeling the best for the longest periods of time.

For some real help with any dysautonomia symptoms and great overall health advice, you'll want to talk to physicians that specialize in that area.

 

Some of the best in the U.S. are located at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham AL. Whatever questions you have about anything related to an autonomic disorder, the doctors at this facility bring more than 40 years of successful treatment experience and can answer virtually any concern you have. Call them today at 205-286-3200. You'll be glad you did!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Dysautonomia or Symptoms of Mold Exposure?

As more and more research shows the various effects of mold mycotoxins on the human body, many people with dysautonomia are starting to take a second look at where they live and their air quality situation.  It's interesting to note the similarity in symptoms for exposure to black mold, which can include, brain fog, chronic fatigue, weakness, balance issues, peripheral neurological problems like tingling and numbness, headaches, all of which have been seen in various combinations and degrees of severity in patients with dysautonomia or related autonomic disorders.

This shouldn't be a big surprise, since mycotoxins are known to interrupt various cellular mechanisms, and specifically in the mitochondria where the majority of our 'energy' is produced.  And of course, interrupt or inhibit the binding of neurotransmitters (as mycotoxins can also do) and you'll have a variety of symptoms related to malfunctioning nerves. Just Google mold exposure and neurological disorders you'll see a lot of information, including reports from doctors and specialists pointing out that various neurological issues are clearly associated with mold exposure. Of course, dysautonomia is by definition a malfunctioning autonomic nervous system so it certainly makes sense to consider that mold could be the issue causing the dysautonomia symptoms--especially if you live in a water damaged home, or if you know that there is or has been mold in the home or where you work.

Of course, getting clear on whether you've got mold in your home or office will require testing and evaluation, which is easily done with inexpensive test kits. Whether you find that you have mold or not, if you have these types of symptoms (especially neurological) you'll probably want to speak to an autonomic disorder specialist or a combination MD and ND type doctor that will consider the full spectrum of possible causes instead of just prescribing the latest medication to you. And be sure to share your air testing results with them so they can choose the best treatments for you. 

Your best bet for expert autonomic disorder information is to call Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL.  Dr. Susan Phillips and Dr. Paula Moore are well known nationwide for providing answers when other healthcare providers haven't been able to. Call today for an appointment at 205-286-3200--you'll be glad you did.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Dysautonomia--Is There A Link?

According to Dr. Richard Boles is a clinician and researcher skilled at providing helpful treatments for children and adults suffering from mitochondrial functional disorders such as autism, cyclic vomiting syndrome and depression, there appears to be some kind of link connecting mitochondrial dysfunction and dysautonomia symptoms.

Although dysautonomia is usually not life-threatening, it does affect a person's daily quality of life in a big way, and finding a way mitigate or eliminate this problem has become an ongoing area of study for many physicians. Dysautonomia is known to cause things like heat intolerance, erratic blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, intermittent GI dysfunction and other issues.  Dr. Boles is one of the few physicians specializing in functional disorders as they relate to mitochondrial disease.

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), being that part of the nervous system which reacts to danger, is what is often 'out of whack' with respect to dysautonomia. More specifically, the sympathetic nervous system is that part of the autonomic system which causes us to react to danger, causing a cascade of biological changes preparing us to fight or run away.  What Dr. Boles and other doctors are noticing is that patients with mitochondrial disease or dysfunctioning mitochondria, theirs sympathetic systems work well, but their parasympathetic system operate properly, causing many of those symptoms we see in dysautonomia patients, like heat intolerance, erratic blood pressure, dizziness, etc--all because the parasympathetic nervous system isn't signalling accurately.

Now, what is behing the malfunctioning parasympathetic nervous system or causing the improper mitochondrial functioning is likely to be a variety of things, since it is known that there a variety of biochemical processes happening in the mitochondria that can be affected greatly by environmental toxins, dietary stress, and many other things.

Still, if you are working to get to the bottom of your symptoms and feel better, your best bet is to connect with world-class autonomic disorder doctors such as Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL. They have some of the highest rates of success with autonomic disorder patient improvement due to their more than 40 years of combined experience. Call today for an appointment wherever you are-you'll be glad you did!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Dysautonomia: Getting Better with The Right Exercise Program

Many doctors and other health professionals agree that, if you have an autonomic disorder, exercise as an important part of your treatment plan as any medications or nutritional programs that you're using. Of course, what type and how much exercise will be tolerated by each patient is an individual thing, and naturally each person should consult with their doctor before beginning or moving on to more advanced exercise programs.

The great news about adding an exercise program is that in most cases you can work out at home, at a fitness center, and either by yourself or with a friend, so there are lots of ways you can get it done and make it comfortable for you. Sometimes hiring a personal trainer is a good option, as well, if you're home-bound or just want to make sure you get off on the right foot with correct form, the best exercises for you personally, etc.

In general, dysautonomia patients usually fare better starting with exercises that do not cause orthostatic stress and moving toward better tolerance of exercises that can cause orthostatic stress--start with what's possible or comfortable and gently move toward what's more challenging to get stronger, etc. Some of the best exercises for dysautonomia are floor-based exercises such as yoga, pilates, or low-intensity weight lifting done from a seated or laying down position and swimming, and are usually good places to start.

Then, when the patient has spent a good amount of time building up tolerance to these exercises, they can begin attempting upright exercises like running, biking, or other upright exercises, stopping and resting as needed to continue to build tolerance. Patients with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) often report that after getting a solid execise program in place and staying with it for while that they can function better and feel like they have a better quality-of-life.

The other great thing about stretching, yoga, or whatever exercise program you choose, the exercise is going to increase blood flow and help nutrients (as well as medicines) get where they need to go and do a better job. 

If you want to find out more about how an exercise program could help reduce your dysautonomia or POTS symptoms, do yourself a favor and call Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL.  Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring more than 40 years of results-based treatment to their patients and there's a very good chance they can help you get better, faster and enjoy life more. Call for an appointment today at 205-286-3200--you'll be glad you did.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

Natural Solutions for Dysautonomia: It Might Be a Deficiency

Many doctors (and patients) are now looking at dysautonomia and related disorders from a more holistic approach, and finding some measure of relief from nutritional supplementation in addition to other therapies. One patient named Tyler has had dysautonomia for some time and has been taking clonidine, which is often effective for some patients. His mother had also found that supplementing with inositol was also making a big difference. Inositol is used by the body for so many things, if it the body doesn't make enough for some reason or there's insufficient inositol in the diet, cell communication and many biochemical pathways don't work as well as they should. On the surface, it does make sense that inositol could help with dysautonomia, if it facilitated better communication within the body's electrolyte balance systems, for example. While there isn't a lot of research out there on the effects of inositol supplementation on dysautonomia, here's one study that seems to offer some good information.

 

Inositol, or vitamin B8 is found in energy drinks and does boost energy levels as it's a sugar that the body can readily use to create energy. It's also found in many foods, such as  fish, poultry and other meats. Eggs are also a good source of vitamin B8, and choline, which is also very important to cell structural repair and works with inositol. There is an enzyme, however, in egg white that neutralizes some of the inositol found in the yolk, so if you're trying to get the maximum amount of inositol, eat more yolks than egg whites. Nuts and seeds are also a good source of inositol and other important fats the help with myelination, or repairing the insulating myelin sheath around nerves that can degenerate if there's a prolonged deficiency of repair nutrients like inositol, choline and other fatty acids. Do make sure you choose grass fed, antibiotic, hormone and pesticide free organic foods as much as possible, though, as polluted foods, though helpful nutrients are there, can actually make matters worse because of the pollutants.

 

It's important, however, not to read things like this and start taking a bunch of supplements, or make a big change in your diet, especially if you have dysautonomia. Your best bet is to consult an MVP syndrome doctor, or one that is specifically skilled in successful treating whatever your condition is.  Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips at Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC bring specific knowledge and over 40 years of combined history of successfully treating and improving life for many patients with dysautonomia and related conditions. Do yourself a favor and give Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC a call today and get to the bottom of your symptoms and start feeling better now!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC
Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results
2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243
http://www.mvpctr.com
(205) 286-3200

POTS and Brain Fog: Can Increasing Cognitive Function Help?

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) affects an estimated 500,000 people in the United States and probably many more worldwide. POTS symptoms usually include a significant increase in heart rate when going from sitting or lying down to standing. Along with the increased heart rate, POTS sufferers also often experience  palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, fatigue and general body weakness. Another common complaint is 'brain fog' or inability to think clearly, focus or remember things.

Since brain fog is such a common complaint among POTS patients, many seek various methods of increasing cognitive function through natural supplements as well as prescription drugs such as modafinil. In fact, there is a study going on now (Google clinical trials.gov POTS modafinil) to determine how much or if modafinil can provide significant relief from the brain fog. Of course, there are a variety of natural methods for increasing cognitive function and getting rid of brain fog, not the least of which is increasing dietary intake of specific oils found in coconut oil (specifically C-8)--check out Bulletproof.com and Brain Octane oil for details on that.

Other ways to increase cognitive function are going to include anything that increases efficiency of the tiny power plants in all of our cells--the mitochondria. Interestingly, a couple of areas of the body that have the highest mitochondrial density are the brain and heart. And what is being shown in a lot of research now is that certain supplements such as Coenzyme Q10 can increase mitochondrial function, which helps decrease brain fog. Another important thing to do is make sure you're eating organic as much as possible.

Roundup Ready corn and other vegetables and grains sprayed with glyphosate are being found cause a variety of health issues. Glyphosate (Roundup) is being shown to inhibit mitochondrial function when we ingest foods sprayed with it, so eating organic can take most of that problem out of the equation and give your mitochondria a boost.  Glyphosate or Roundup also ruins our absorption of manganese, which is critical for our bodies being able to get oxygen from the water we drink. You can Google all of this, too--do that and you'll see more on what we're talking about above.

As with any treatment methodologies or ideas, you'll want to consult your physician and do your own research before proceeding, to make sure it's right for your particular situation. A great place to start is Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC where you'll find two world-class autonomic disorder specialists that are also skilled in internal medicine and other disciplines. This extra background and experience often enables Dr. Moore and Dr. Phillips to tackle and successfully treat POTS and dysautonomia symptoms where other physician haven't been able to get results.

Wherever you are, if you have POTS, dysautonomia, etc, call 205-286-3200 for an appointment. One call could change your life for the better.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

Take Charge of Your Health for More Accurate Dysautonomia Diagnosis & Treatment

If you're dealing with a lot of strange symptoms that sound like POTS or dysautonomia, understand that your regular or family doctor might not be equipped to understand what's going on and may think your symptoms are psychological because there won't be a lot of definitive results from the usual range of tests. Similarly, and no offense to anyone, but specialists can do this too, because they have their 'specialist blinders' on and may not be considering the whole picture. So, it's your responsibility and in your best interest to arm yourself with a set of guidelines to make sure you get good information, treatment and relief instead of misdiagnosis and more issues. Here's a few guidelines as a place to start:

 

1. Don't Take 'It's All in Your Head' at Face Value---If a doctor can't seem to find a specific physiological cause for your symptoms, they'll often start talking about anxiety, which is one of many ways to say 'it's all in your head'. You know what symptoms you're having and you've probably done a little research, so if it doesn't right, get another opinion, ask for clarification and if it still doesn't sound right, get a second, third or fourth opinion. Dysautonomia patients get the 'anxiety' or 'stress' diagnosis quite often and that usually means you need another opinion.

 

2. Be Assertive in the Diagnostic Process--if you feel something doesn't sound right, or you don't understand, tell the doctor you don't understand and ask him or her to explain. And don't do anything until you do understand and agree with the diagnosis or treatment being suggested. There is no law that says you have to accept what they say at face value. Also, be sure to keep good notes of everything.

 

3. Find the Right Doctor--modern allopathic medicine still seems, to a large degree, to focus on individual body parts rather than on full-body systems and tries to treat just those organs or parts--which isn't always best. Your best bet is to find a knowledgeable holistic physician that treats the whole body and considers all possibilities before settling on a treatment plan. Sometimes a D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) can be more open to these whole body treatments and often get better results.

 

4. Don't Get Brushed Off--if your physician attempts to give you what feels like a quick answer, again, don't just accept that. This is your health and it's up to you (and your right) to question anything you don't feel right about--especially when it feels like the doctor is in a rush and just wants to write a prescription, etc.

 

5. Educate Yourself--one of the best things you can do for yourself and your doctor is to educate yourself--this helps you communicate with a doctor more effectively, too, so they will see things more clearly. And yes, Google University often works very well to gain specific knowledge about symptoms, conditions, etc. Plus, by educating yourself, you'll be able to recognize when something is off much more easily. Online symptom checkers are good, too.

 

The main point here is to take charge of your health and seek help with your eyes open and knowledge. If you think you have dysautonomia, POTS or some other autonomic disorder, a great source of information and dysautonomia treatment is Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring many years of real world experience with diagnosing and effectively treating autonomic disorders to patients of all ages, nationwide. Call for an appointment today at 205-286-3200.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

POTS Solutions: Naturally Decreasing Temperature Sensitivity

POTS patients often say (and many doctors agree) that hot weather can be the worst for POTS symptoms. But for many people, cold temperatures cause an equally aggravating slew of reactions, such as a decrease in circulation, which leads to more blood pooling, pain, etc. Then, when they warm back up, a flushing effect can occur, and that can trigger more reactions. So, other than watching the weather and trying to stay at just the right temperature all the time, what can someone with POTS do to lessen the sensitivity to temperature changes? One big factor is--you guessed it--exercise.

Why exercise?  Exercise has been shown to improve one major thing that helps regulate body temperature: blood vessel flexibility.  As blood vessels are more flexible, they can respond quicker and keep blood flowing where it should be going at all times, and lessen the effect of pooling which can decrease body temperature on it own simply because the blood (and it's heat) isn't flowing well through the body.  Exercise also creates body heat by burning calories, and helps stimulate proper function of an important regulator of the body's temperature--the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus is like a thermostat.  When it senses a rise or fall in body temperature, send the appropriate signal to the body to either cool it down or heat it up (by shivering).  When your core temperature goes up, the hypothalamus directs more of your blood flow to the skin and signals the body to start sweating which evaporates water and cools the skin. When your temperature goes down, it tells your skin to create bumps and start shivering to increase heat. And as you exercise, stop, exercise, stop, etc, this trains the body's heating and cooling systems to maintain proper function. This could be pretty helpful for someone with POTS that is sensitive to temperature changes, wouldn't you say?

To be fair, exercise is known to be extremely important for POTS patients, but if you can't stand up or have pain that prevents you from doing, what do you do?  Well, like common sense would tell you: you start where you are, do what you can, and gradually increase what you can tolerate. Just moving your limbs for 15 minutes, even while laying down, can help a lot and be a good place to start if that's all you can do.  Staying hydrated really helps reduce pain, too.

Many people are more dehydrated than they realize and endure a lot of pain and lack of mobility that they don't have to deal with, if they would just stay hydrated. Sure, drinking half your body weight in ounces of water per day is a great place to start, but don't forget to add some quality carbohydrates (not sugar or white flour products) during the day as these help water get into the muscles and into the cells. If you can stand up and tolerate it, you can start by walking for 5 minutes, then 10 minutes, increasing to your tolerance level up to 20-30 minutes.

Of course, to best figure out the exercise plan that will give you best results for your personal situation, it's best to seek out a world-class POTS clinic where the doctors are specialists in this area.  One great POTS treatment center that is becoming known nationwide for solving problems that others can't, is  Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL.  This clinic features two world-class POTS doctors, Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips. These doctors are not only autonomic disorder specialists, but they also bring internal medicine and other disciplines to the table for the most comprehensive, smart diagnostics and treatment you can get. Wherever you are, if you have POTS, do yourself a favor and call today for an appointment at 205-286-3200. You'll be glad you did.

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

Can Meditation Help with Dysautonomia Symptoms

It's becoming more and more of a common practice and many articles have been written about the power of meditation. In one study, it was shown that even one day of meditation of the mindfulness type, can down-regulate a gene that codes for inflammation.  In many cases, mindful breathing can also calm heart rates and even relieve pain, especially when the mind is directed toward muscle relaxation. It's actually very easy to learn to control your breath and once you do, you'll quickly find that you can begin to block out your environment and short circuit the energy that is powering the mechanisms in your body that are causing unnecessary sensitivity, which leads to reactions. You can even do your breath work while driving or just walking around.

Is meditation something that could help with dysautonomia symptoms? Absolutely. While initially meditation may only reduce the severity of certain symptoms, such as tachycardia, blood flow issues, etc. With increased consistent, daily practice, however, meditation may begin to help in a more permanent way because it's actually reducing the expression of genes responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is really coming to the forefront in so many natural healing circles as a major cause of a wide variety of ailments and anything that reduces inflammation, has to help on some level.

How do you do it?  Learning to meditate is now literally as easy as searching for 'how to meditate' on Google or Youtube. Alternatively, you can seek out a meditative yoga class (yoga may also provide an amplified benefit to the meditation as they work together very well). Essentially, you can start out easiest by sitting comfortably on the floor or a chair, close your eyes, and breathing in for 4 counts, then breathing out for 4 counts, in a flow, without holding your breathing, like a wave coming in and going out. As you progress, you'll increase the count to 8-12 seconds or more. In most cases, you'll find that meditation instructions include diaphragm breathing because it works the best.

Diaphragm breathing means that you'll want to slowly inhale and let your belly expand, all the way until your lungs are filled to the top with air.  When you exhale, you let the air out of your lungs in a slow, controlled manner and collapse your diaphragm.  Adding mindfulness is simple, as well, and helpful. An example would be, while you're breathing, say to yourself (either silently or spoken) "I am" and you slowly breath in and on the exhale add a positive attribute such as "healthy","relaxed", or "perfect health".

As always, if you want better results with anything related to dysautonomia or POTS, you're best served by seeking out dysautonomia treatment center. A great place to get answers and get better faster is to check out Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL. Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips bring many, many years of autonomic disorder knowledge and experience to their patients and routinely find ways to improve symptoms where other methods and sources of care fail. Call today for an appointment at 205-286-3200 and start feeling better today!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

The Vital Role of Carbohydrates for POTS Hydration

Many people with POTS have a symptom of low blood pressure. To combat this problem, the usual recommendation is drink more fluids and ingest sodium from 3-5 grams a day, while eating a balanced diet, etc.  Sometimes, IV saline hydration is necessary and can quickly bring hydration back into balance for severely dehydrated patients.  What’s often missing in this whole ‘hydration equation’ is the importance of getting proper amounts of complex carbs during the day, which can play a huge role in how well the body actually hydrates.

Carbohydrates and electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium, etc) in water slow down plain water’s tendency to just pass right through quickly.  Sugary drinks make the water in them pretty much non-absorbable, especially when they’re 8% or above as is the case with many fruit juices. The point is to absorb the water, into the cells, right?  So what you want to do is make sure that, along with your balanced diet, you’re getting complex carbs during the day from things like oats, whole grain breads, sweet potatoes, pasta, etc).  Having a little honey here and there is good, too, as it's about 50% glucose and 50% fructose which metabolize at different rates and help keep blood sugar and hydration levels balanced.

 

And get your sodium along the way, too. This will also help the water absorb instead of making you pee every 15 minutes, which is actually de-hydrating.   The good carbohydrates also help replenish glycogen in the muscle tissues, which pulls water into those tissues, keeping you better hydrated and giving you more energy as a natural bonus.  Remember to get adequate quality protein, good fats and some saturated fats as well as all of these together with carbohydrates help to keep the body pH and hormones where should be, so you can feel your best.

As always, connect with your POTS professional to discuss your individual dietary needs. If you think you have POTS symptoms but don’t have a POTS doctor yet, your best bet is to check out one of the top dysautonomia and POTS treatment centers nationwide—Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC in Birmingham, AL.  Our world-class doctors, Dr. Paula Moore and Dr. Susan Phillips are widely known for providing some of the most effective autonomic disorder treatments available, while using many natural protocols and dietary guidelines for a more complete treatment. Call and make an appointment today at 205-286-3200 and start getting the relief you deserve.

 

 

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

 

 

 

Helpful Dietary Recommendations for POTS

There are definitely dietary measures that have been shown to help POTS patients reduce symptoms. The following is a list of the most commonly  recommended areas to monitor.  Be sure, however, to remember that any treatments for POTS, whether dietary, medicine or otherwise, need to be tuned to each person. This is because many POTS patients react differently to the same treatments and should be evaluated by their doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan or diet:

Eat Smaller Meals--after eating a large meal, much of our blood is redirected to the gut and away from extremities, the head, etc, for digestion process, which can cause problems for a lot of POTS patients.  So it’s usually recommended to eat several smaller meals throughout the day instead of two or three larger meals.

Increase Fluid and Salt Intake--it is often recommended to increase both fluid and salt intake in order to increase blood volume. This has proven to help with blood pooling, hypovolemia, or hypotension. Other than hyperadrenergic POTS, consuming approximately two liters and three to five grams of salt per day is typically recommended by most POTS physicians. One gram of table salt contains about 400 milligrams of sodium. That means that five grams of salt contains approximately 2000 mg or 2g of actual sodium. This can help when reading nutrition labels on food that list sodium amounts.

Minimize Simple Carbs, Get Complex Carbs and Lean Protein--patients who notice a worsening of symptoms after eating may want to try consuming fewer simple carbohydrates (like refined sugars and flours) and get more complex carbs like sweet potatoes, oatmeal, whole wheat breads, etc. Also focus on consuming healthy protein with each meal (such as skinned chicken breasts, salmon, skim milk or low fat yogurt) and make sure any meats are 100% antibiotic and hormone free, as these can disrupt many pathways and systems in the body.

Consider Reactions To Gluten---patients who have ‘stomach issues’ or gastrointestinal problems may want to check with their doctor about gluten and possibly get tested for Celiac Disease.  Don't go gluten free until you have spoken with your doctor about a possible Celiac blood test. Some of the blood tests for Celiac Disease require the person to have been eating gluten for several weeks prior to the test.  Many people have some reaction to gluten so if you have those problems, it might be worth looking into as an unhappy gut can also worsen POTS symptoms.

Get Organic Dairy, Watch for Any Intolerance and Consider Lactase Supplements --in reaction to ingesting dairy, some people’s GI and stomach react to the lactose becausae they don’t have the enzyme lactase. Others have an actual allergy to milk protein and this causes a histamine or other allergic pathway reaction. Either way, these reactions can exacerbate POTS symptoms so if you’re reactive to dairy, consider taking lactose drops before eating diary and get the advice of your POTS doctor before dropping dairy completely. Dairy has many valuable nutrients and electrolytes that can help calm POTS symptoms if you can manage to eat them.

Evaluate Caffeine -- caffeine is helpful to some POTS patients and make symptoms worse in others. For this reason, figure out through small doses whether you feel better or worse with caffeine and act accordingly—but don’t overdose on it.

Don't Drink Alcohol - alcohol is dehydrating and can lead to increased hypotension by dilating veins, which are already two common problems for POTS patients.

And above all, if you have POTS and don’t have a POTS specialist you’re working with, find one and always get their opinion as most family practitioners aren’t trained in all the details that affect POTS patients. A great place to start is Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL.  The doctors there are highly regarded in the treatment of dysautonomia, POTS and other autonomic disorders. No matter where  you are, if you need answers, call them today at 1-205-286-3200. You’ll be glad you did.

 

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200

 

Tips for Parenting a POTS Child

Parenting is tough anyway. But dealing with children afflicted with POTS can present challenges far beyond the norm. Among other things, there can be a vicious cycle between physiological and behavioral issues, one making the other worse, social pressures, negativity from other parents and more. From what we have gathered from POTS parents, there are a few things that can help alleviate a lot of the stress and make the journey to health a lot easier, such as following:

• Listen to your child and watch for patterns, what seems to help them, what doesn't and act accordingly.
• Consider adding an exercise program if they're not already involved with something--let them pick something they like.
• Keep lots of natural beverages on hand, juices, etc
• Keep a variety of salty snack food on hand, as well as any fresh fruit or vegetable snacks as these all help with electrolytes
• Meet with teachers, caregivers, etc anyone that is in regular contact with your child and make sure they're aware of the situation, what works and what doesn't.
• Listen to these teachers, caregivers, as well, since they are interacting with your child and might notice something you need to know about.
• Don't worry about days they miss at school due to POTS symptoms--focus on their recovery.
• If you're going to join support groups, get some reviews before joining and avoid the negative ones--negativity and complaining sessions isn't support.
• Consider counseling for you and your child, if you're getting to your 'wits end' and finding it hard to cope. The right counselor can really help.
• If you've been only seeing your regular physician for POTS help, consider also seeing a POTS specialist as they can often provide helpful alternative perspectives on treatment, prognosis, etc.
• Keep in mind that POTS can and does go away, so keep that hope and share with your child in a positive manner regularly.

If you looking for help with POTS, one of your best choices is Dysautonomia-MVP Center LLC in Birmingham, AL.  Dr Paula Moore and Dr Susan Phillips bring many years of effective experience with POTS and other autonomic disorders, and often help patients get better when no one else has been able to. Wherever you are, call for an appointment today at 205-286-3200. We're here to help you get better faster!

Dysautonomia-MVP Center, LLC

Accurate Diagnosis & Treatment for Better Results

2470 Rocky Ridge Road Vestavia Hills, Alabama 35243

http://www.mvpctr.com

(205) 286-3200