Give an example of an autonomic disorder. Explain which division of the autonomic nervous system is affected, how it is affected, and briefly describe the signs and symptoms.
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SOLUTION to BIO-201: Human Anatomy and Physiology I - Topic 6 DQ 1.
SAMPLE 1
Hello class,
An example of an autonomic disorder is Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS mainly affects the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system, which controls the body's 'fight or flight' response by regulating pulse rate and pressure. In POTS, standing up increases one’s pulse rate, and they experience many uncomfortable symptoms with them.
Olshansky et al. (2020) state that in POTS, there is an increased sympathetic stimulation in response to standing. Usually, when a person rises from a sitting or lying position, blood flows down towards the legs. The body reacts to this effect of gravity by narrowing the blood vessels, and the heart rate beats slightly faster to ensure that the head and brain supply adequate blood. However, the autonomic tone is also increased in POTS, but the compensatory mechanism is impaired. This is a condition characterized by a rapid heart rate above 30 beats per minute or going to as low as more than 120 beats in the first ten minutes of standing. This abnormal response could be due to autonomic neuropathy, or hyperadrenergic states when there is over-stimulation of norepinephrine release.
POTS shows various signs and symptoms, which affect the quality of life of affected individuals considerably. The main symptom is tachycardia, where the one’s heart rate goes up very high on standing, and this comes with some complications such as fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, and palpitations. Other symptoms seen in the patients include fatigue, headaches, nausea, and difficulty performing exercises. Mental changes are frequently described as "brain fog,”" gastrointestinal problems, and problems with thermoregulation. Notably, Barbic et al. (2020) state that the management of POTS includes lifestyle modification and pharmacological intervention. Maintaining proper hydration, especially in terms of water and sodium, might positively impact blood volume. At the same time, the use of compression clothing could assist in reducing blood accumulation in the lower extremities. Beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, and midodrine are sometimes used to control the symptoms, as they help manage the patient's heart rate and blood pressure.
References
Barbic, F., Minonzio, M., Cairo, B., Shiffer, D., Zamuner, A. R., Cavalieri, S., ... & Furlan, R. (2020). Work ability assessment and its relationship with cardiovascular autonomic profile in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 7836. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217836
Olshansky, B., Cannom, D., Fedorowski, A., Stewart, J., Gibbons, C., Sutton, R., ... & Benditt, D. G. (2020). Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS): A critical assessment. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases, 63(3), 263-270. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2020.03.010