Autonomic Nervous System: The part of the nervous system that controls all of the automatic functions of the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, energy production, digestion, sensory perception, and more. For a detailed, but easy to understand, explanation of what the autonomic nervous system is and how it works, you may read the NDRF patient handbook. (www.ndrf.org/NDRFHandbook.htm)
Brain Fog: This term refers to things such as mental confusion, memory problems, and cognitive difficulty which are associated with dysautonomia.
DINET: “Dysautonomia Information Network” I have found this to be a very helpful and informative website. DINET also has a member support forum which has helped me to keep in touch with the dysautonomia world and make some friendships with those in a similar situation to mine. (www.dinet.org)
Dysautonomia: Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system
Electrophysiologist: A cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology, the electrical function of the heart. Some electrophysiologists treat POTS.
Gastroparesis: Delayed gastric emptying. This is a neuromuscular disorder that causes partial to full paralysis of the stomach.
Hypotension: Low blood pressure
Mitochondria: Small organelles inside all of the body's cells except for red blood cells. Mitochondria are responsible for producing almost all of the energy a body needs to sustain life.
Mitochondrial Disease: A disease due to failure of the mitochondria. When mitochondria are unable to produce the necessary energy for a cell, the cell either becomes dysfunctional or dies. When too many cells are dysfunctional, whole organs and systems begin to fail, compromising the life and health of the individual.
Multiple System Atrophy (MSA): A degenerative form of dysautonomia that affects the central nervous system. This usually affects people who are in their 50s or 60s. MSA also goes by the name “Shy-Drager Syndrome”.
Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS): NCS is a type of dysautonomia characterized by a significant drop in blood pressure upon assuming an upright posture. This drop in blood pressure results in fainting, or very near fainting. The drop in blood pressure and fainting/near fainting are the diagnostic criteria, but other symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction will be present as well. NCS also goes by the names “Neurally Mediated Hypotension” and “Vasovagal Syncope”.
Orthostatic: The standing position
Orthostatic Hypotension: Low blood pressure upon standing
Orthostatic Intolerance: Intolerance of the upright position. In a healthy person, veins in the legs constrict when he sits or stands to combat the force of gravity. This constriction of the blood vessels forces the blood up through the legs and abdomen and back to the heart and brain. In a person with Orthostatic Intolerance, the veins do not constrict well. Gravity then causes blood to pool in the lower half of the body. Proper circulation is compromised. Symptoms such as headaches, brain fog, dizziness, pain from blood pooling, fainting/near fainting, shortness of breath, and fatigue are present.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: This syndrome is often known by the acronym “POTS”. POTS is a type of dysautonomia characterized by a heart rate increase of 30 beats per minute or more upon assuming an upright posture. This significant increase in heart rate upon standing is the symptom that must be present for diagnosis, but there are many other potentially disabling symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction that go along with POTS as well. POTS affects more females than males.
Pre-Syncope: Almost fainting
Pure Autonomic Failure (PAF): A degenerative form of dysautonomia affecting the autonomic nervous system. One of the presenting symptoms is orthostatic hypotension. PAF affects more males than females.
Supine: The lying down position
Syncope: Fainting
Tachycardia: A fast heart rate
Tilt Table Test: This is a diagnostic test in which the patient lies down flat on a table. He has electrodes on his chest, a blood pressure cuff on one arm, and an IV line in the other arm. The patient lies flat on his back to get good base heart rate and blood pressure readings. After base readings are complete, the table is tilted up while the heart rate and blood pressure are continually monitored. The patient may remain upright anywhere from 1 to 30 minutes, depending upon how quickly his symptoms present themselves. This test is used to diagnose POTS, NCS, and other autonomic nervous system dysfunctions.
Vasoconstriction: Constriction of blood vessels