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