Last week we discussed what dysautonomia and the types of this disease. Today, we’d be discussing the home remedies and how they can be managed. Just a quick recap, Dysautonomia is a medical condition in which the autonomic nervous system is not working properly. The autonomic nervous system controls automatic functions in your body – breathing, heart activity, sweating, tear production, digestion, metabolism, body temperature, etc. Dysautonomia is not well understood and there is no known cure.
How is dysautonomia managed or treated?
Like I said, there is no cure but here are some things to do to manage dysautonomia. According to an article by My Cleveland Clinic published on the 10th of July, 2020.
1. Drinking more water every day: Additional water keeps blood volume up, which helps control symptoms of dysautonomia. A healthcare provider should advise on the recommended amount of water to be consumed, especially if other health conditions are present.
2. Adding extra salt (3 to 5 grams/day) to your diet: Salt helps maintain normal blood pressure by controlling the fluid volume in the blood vessels. Three to five grams of additional salt per day can help ease symptoms of dysautonomia. Additional salt should not be used if heart failure is present and is recommended only for severe cases of blood pressure problems. A healthcare provider should be consulted prior to increasing salt consumption.
3. Eat small, healthy meals: Digestive problems associated with dysautonomia can be eased by eating small, frequent meals rather than 3 large meals a day. Foods low in fat and high in fiber improve digestion. Over-the-counter dietary fiber supplements can help maintain the health of the digestive tract. Also, in most cases, there is no underlying condition that causes dysautonomia, however, if one exists, controlling it should be the goal. In a case where diabetes is present, blood sugar must be controlled to prevent it from progressing.
4. Stand up slowly and rest: Posture changes can cause dizziness. Flexing the feet and making fists with the hands for a few seconds before standing can increase blood flow. It’s important to stand up slowly. After becoming upright, tensing the leg muscles while crossing one leg over the other also increases blood flow. Insomnia may occur with dysautonomia. Good sleep hygiene can help with obtaining a good night’s sleep.
Please remember to see a doctor should you experience any of the symptoms of dysautonomia.
