Vegetative dystonia refers to multiple symptoms of dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Affected are nerves that are not voluntarily controlled and trigger health or psychological symptoms. Sufferers find vegetative dystonia very distressing.
What is vegetative dystonia?
Vegetative dystonia manifests itself in different ways. Actually, it is a misdirected tension that influences the heartbeat, digestion or breathing through the autonomic nervous system. This can cause discomfort from the heart to the circulatory system, headaches or diarrhea. Vegetative dystonia is controversial among doctors because the different symptoms make a concrete diagnosis difficult. They range from headaches, heavy sweating to sleep disturbances or dizziness. There is a higher or lower pulse rate and the hands of the affected person tremble. Many symptoms often occur simultaneously. The autonomic nervous system is also partly responsible for an irritable bladder, which is characterized by a constant urge to urinate. If chronic pain occurs, the cause of which cannot be determined, a disease of the autonomic nervous system is suspected, a vegetative dystonia.
Causes
The causes of vegetative dystonia are often physical and psychological factors, but social factors also exert an influence on well-being. Mental stresses affect this sensitive balance. The loss of a partner or problems at work cause physical discomfort that could be diagnosed by a doctor as vegetative dystonia. Risk factors such as stress, an unhealthy diet, alcohol and smoking are also detrimental. An imbalance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems can cause vegetative dystonia. The sympathetic nervous system provides the tension, accelerated breathing and it makes the body persist in flight or fight like the former hunter-gatherer. Quite different is the parasympathetic nervous system, which provides regeneration and the necessary relaxation. The autonomic nervous system, to which the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems are subordinate, controls all automated functions of the human body.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Autonomic dystonia can be manifested by a variety of different symptoms that are difficult to classify. These nonspecific signs include headaches, dizziness, digestive symptoms such as diarrhea or constipation, difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, and increased sweating. The heart rate may be slightly increased or decreased, and there is often slight trembling of the hands. In the context of vegetative dystonia, a so-called hyperkinetic heart syndrome often occurs, which is associated with an accelerated heartbeat and marked fluctuations in blood pressure. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain, flatulence and a change in bowel habits, while irritable stomach syndrome is characterized by a feeling of fullness and loss of appetite. Patients often suffer from a constant urge to urinate due to an overactive bladder and have to urinate frequently. Shortness of breath, shortness of breath and drowsiness caused by increased inhalation (hyperventilation) occur, and cramps in the extremities and back pain due to cramped muscles are also possible. The ability to concentrate may be impaired, and a decline in memory, severe fatigue, increased irritability and nervousness are often observed. Many patients report a decrease in sexual desire. Vegetative dystonia can be assumed to occur when the symptomatology is related to major or prolonged psychological stress, chronic stress, or another psychological disorder such as an anxiety disorder, and physical causes can be ruled out.
Diagnosis and course
The diagnosis of vegetative dystonia needs a detailed clarification in the form of a discussion with the physician. When taking the medical history, possible risk factors, prescribed medications, and symptoms that have occurred are clarified. A physical examination allows the symptoms to be looked at in more detail. Blood pressure measurements and a blood test rule out possible inflammation in the body and circulatory fluctuations. ECG or X-ray as well as ultrasound examinations also clarify further. Perhaps there is a nutrient deficiency or hormonal imbalance that manifests itself in physical symptoms.If there are no signs of actual physical causes, the conclusion often remains that it is a vegetative dystonia. Usually, such a diagnosis cannot be clearly proven by the physician, but it also cannot be ruled out due to the lack of physical findings.
Complications
This disease leads to various complaints. They all have a very negative effect on the quality of life of the affected person and can significantly reduce it. As a rule, these suffer from a strong inner restlessness and irritability in the process. Insomnia and permanent nervousness can also occur and lead to significant discomfort in the patient’s daily life. Most of those affected also suffer from dizziness and vomiting or nausea. The patient also suffers from headaches and permanent fatigue and exhaustion. Due to the worsened blood circulation, cold hands, constipation or flatulence may occur. In some cases, the disease can also lead to sexual aversion, causing discomfort or complications with one’s partner. If the disease is not treated, heart problems often occur, which in the worst case could lead to the death of the affected person. The treatment is carried out with the help of medications and various therapies. As a rule, there are no further complications. A complete cure is not always guaranteed. Possibly, the disease also negatively affects the life expectancy of the affected person and reduces it.
When should one go to the doctor?
Repeated gastrointestinal disorders indicate health irregularities. A doctor is needed when symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, or constipation occur regularly over several weeks or sporadically over several months. Recurrent headaches, dizziness or stomach discomfort should also be discussed with a physician. Abnormalities of the heart rhythm, unpleasant flatulence, loss of appetite or a feeling of fullness are signs of an existing illness. Loss of concentration, loss of physical as well as mental performance, and increased emotional irritability should be discussed with a physician. Fluctuations in blood pressure, a diffuse feeling of malaise or sickness are further signs of a health impairment. Loss of libido, anxiety, or muscular problems also need closer examination. A visit to the doctor is advisable if abnormalities of toilet use, disturbances of respiratory activity or cramps occur. Frequent urination is a typical complaint of vegetative dystonia. If daily responsibilities cannot be fulfilled as usual due to the complaints, a medical examination is recommended. Loss of zest for life as well as a persistent reduction in well-being are considered by medical experts to be warning signals of the organism. A check-up visit should be initiated so that it can be clarified whether there is a need for action and a therapy plan needs to be created.
Treatment and therapy
The physician decides on treatment for vegetative dystonia. If the symptoms persist, it may be advised to start psychotherapy. Depending on the actual trigger for vegetative dystonia, this condition usually responds well to psychotherapeutic measures. The aim is to offer the affected person ways and means to manage the symptoms more easily and still cope with everyday life. Such supportive processes take place in cognitive behavioral therapy. Often the symptoms are only warning signs of other processes that need to be resolved and processed. Affected individuals avoid reliving triggering situations, which sets off a vicious cycle. A trained psychotherapist tries to offer sufferers ways to cope and control vegetative dystonia. Relaxation techniques such as qigong, autogenic training and walking also help vegetative dystonia become easier to cope with. Medications are used for vegetative dystonia only when they relieve the pressure on sufferers. These are, for example, painkillers, but also antidepressants, which the doctor prescribes after consultation with the patient. This only treats vegetative dystonia in the short term. Medications are not intended for the longer-term treatment pathway for vegetative dystonia.More than half of the persons suffering from vegetative dystonia experience the occurring symptoms easily and the situation also improves again. Only anxious or negative persons suffer longer from these symptoms and continue to avoid certain situations. In addition, depression or anxiety disorders often worsen the prognosis of vegetative dystonia.
Prevention
To prevent vegetative dystonia, a positive outlook on life and a healthy lifestyle, combined with a nutritious diet and exercise, help. Withdrawal from family and friends is not advised in vegetative dystonia, as it adversely affects its course. Vegetative dystonia is not a terminal condition. Even if the course is severe with increasing symptoms, sometimes chronic, there is of course hope. In general, vegetative dystonia can regress.
Follow-up
After a diagnosis of vegetative dystonia, it is important for the affected person to reconsider his or her previous lifestyle. Special psychotherapies can help the patient restore his or her mental balance and alleviate the symptoms associated with the disease. Relaxation techniques such as autogenic training or yoga also have a positive effect on the disease. General restlessness and nervous sleep disorders are typical symptoms of vegetative dystonia and can be reduced with the use of herbal preparations. For many patients, the regular use of valerian has proven effective, reducing nocturnal awakenings and also having a relaxing and antispasmodic effect on the frequently occurring irritable bladder. Hops extracts and preparations from passion flower calm nervous restlessness and anxiety. Melissa helps with stomach and intestinal disorders and also has a calming effect. Extracts from St. John’s wort influence the metabolism in the brain and help especially against depressive moods and psychovegetative disorders. An intact social environment is important and often helps the patient to cope better with the disease. Sufficient leisure activities are just as necessary as social contacts. An overall positive attitude toward life, a relaxed lifestyle with a healthy diet and sufficient exercise can help the affected person to alleviate or completely overcome vegetative dystonia.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Affected individuals can reduce the existing sensitivities, to a certain extent, through special training. In addition, all disease processes can be positively influenced if there is a nervous and mental balance in patients. An inner calmness is of high value in the healing process. The symptoms should be a reason for those affected to rethink their lifestyle. There are also home remedies that are well suited for the treatment of vegetative dystonia. Valerian has proven its worth, as it calms restlessness, reduces agitation and can promote sleepiness in cases of particularly nervous difficulty falling asleep. In addition, valerian reduces nighttime awakenings and can also improve daytime moods. It also has a relaxing and antispasmodic effect on the often-occurring irritable bladder, gastritis and bedwetting. Hops extract also has a calming effect on anxiety, restlessness and promotes gastric juice production as an aid in a nervous loss of appetite as well as stomach problems. Passion flower is also worthy of special mention. It helps with nervous restlessness and is anxiety-relieving. It also has an antispasmodic effect on the muscles that are unconsciously controlled in sufferers, such as the intestines. This also applies to lemon balm. It relieves gastrointestinal disorders and has a calming effect in the case of nervous sleep disorders. Above all, however, St. John’s wort extract can influence the metabolism of neural messenger substances and their receptors in the brain. It helps with depressive mood states and psychovegetative disorders.
