Is autonomic dysfunction the key to CFS/ME?

The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary body functions. This includes things like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and respiration. The autonomic nervous system is made up of three parts: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. These three systems work together to keep the body in balance.

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response. This is the system that kicks in when we are faced with a stressful situation. It increases heart rate and blood pressure, and it also slows down digestion. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response. This is the system that kicks in when we are relaxed and at rest. It decreases heart rate and blood pressure, and it also increases digestion. The enteric nervous system is responsible for the control of the digestive system.

The autonomic nervous system is controlled by the brainstem and the hypothalamus. These two areas of the brain work together to keep the body in balance.

There is however, research to support the theory that autonomic dysfunction is central to CFS/ME. This would explain the wide range of symptoms that people with CFS/ME experience, as well as why the condition can be so debilitating.

What is autonomic dysfunction?

Autonomic dysfunction is where the autonomic nervous system (ANS) doesn't function as it should. In CFS/ME patients, this system becomes damaged by some stressor such as an infection, toxic exposure, emotional/physical stress or trauma. Sometimes the trigger is no longer having an effect but the damage has already been done to the ANS such as a traumatic experience, or sometimes the stressor continues to affect the ANS on an ongoing basis such as a workplace chemical exposure.

What happens when the ANS becomes dysfunctional?

Because the ANS controls every system in the body, when it's not functioning optimally, other systems within the body being to breakdown as a result. This leads to poor digestive function, reduced immune function, poor detoxification, hormone dysfunction and the list goes on. This then manifests as physical symptoms throughout the body and can explain many of the common symptoms of Chronic Fatigue. These secondary dysfunctions have a domino effect and end up causing more stress to the ANS where the cycle continues. In order to truly recover from chronic fatigue we need to remove the initial trigger (if it is still having an effect) and also fix the secondary dysfunctions that are now stressing the ANS.

How can you fix a dysfunctional ANS?

By taking a thorough case history, considering current symptoms and by analysing your lab results I can determine the systems that are most dysfunctional and begin working there. Sometimes the initial trigger is obvious and sometimes it is difficult to determine. Either way, there is usually a some good clues of where to start. As it is not possible to fix everything at once, therefore I prioritse which other systems need work over the coming sessions.

Often the digestive system is a good place to start, and this along with controlling stress, supporting mitochondria and the immune system, improving detoxification and sleep make up the core foundations to improving this condition.

What happens when you have fixed everything but have still not recovered?

Limbic retraining is a process of re-wiring the brain to better cope with stressors. This can be done through a variety of methods, including neurofeedback, mindfulness training, and exposure therapy. The goal of limbic retraining is to help the brain learn to differentiate between actual threats and perceived threats. And this may be the final piece of the puzzle for some patients.

It important to understand that there is no silver bullet to recovering from chronic fatigue, every person's journey will be different. There is no one treatment or one protocol that works for everyone. There is just an unraveling of your particular presentation and we will continue to pick away at it piece by piece until we reduce the overall burden on the ANS and restore it's function.

Book a free 15min consultation to see how I can help you recover your fatigue