Autonomic nervous system orientation
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The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is the part of the peripheral nervous system that acts as a control system functioning largely below the level of consciousness, and controls visceral functions. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, salivation, perspiration, pupillary dilation, micturition (urination), and sexual arousal. Most autonomous functions are involuntary but a number of ANS actions can work alongside some degree of conscious control.
Everyday examples include breathing, swallowing, and sexual arousal, and in some cases functions such as heart rate. Our Autonomic Nervous System has two main modes of operation: Sympathetic Nervous System Activity and Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity. The Sympathetic Nervous System mode, is often referred to as the “fight or flight” mode, while Parasympathetic mode is usually referred to as the “rest and digest” mode. Each orientation of the nervous system has its usefulness, and a healthy body can and should easily oscillate between the two modes in response to the surrounding environment and life circumstances. In a healthy individual, when a threat arises or some intense physical activity must be performed, the ANS should shift into sympathetic mode, but when the activity/stress subsides and the person goes to do something more relaxing, like eat dinner, the nervous system should shift into parasympathetic mode. If the nervous system performs these shifts well then all the body organs, enzymes and internal processes follow suit just fine and all’s well, but if the ANS is out of whack due to nutritional deficiencies, mineral imbalances, excessively stressful circumstances, or even excessively sedating circumstances, then the body’s attempts to perform even basic metabolic functions such as digesting food or producing energy may falter. If the ANS is out of balance for an extended period of time, this can lead to major hormonal imbalances and metabolic disorders. Sympathetic imbalanceIf your tests gave some indications that you have a Sympathetic Imbalance then it is helpful for you to know that Sympathetic Dominance refers to the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS is a mechanism in the body that happens without you consciously thinking about it. We don't have to think about whether our heart is beating, it just does. The other side of the nervous system is the Parasympathetic Dominance or the part of the nervous system that you can control.
The Sympathetic side is the speed side of flight or fight response. And the Parasympathetic side is the slow side- or rest and digest- side. These two systems are hardwired in a sense to the heart, the entire digestive system, and all the lower level glands, organs, and systems. This imbalance may show itself in the form of a number of different symptoms or "conditions". The outcome may be different depending on the individual, but you may have already found yourself experiencing one or more of the following issues at some point:
Parasympathetic imbalanceIf your tests gave some indications that you have a Parasympathetic Imbalance it will help to know that this imbalance may show itself in the form of a number of different symptoms or "conditions". The outcome may be different depending on the individual, but you may have already found yourself experiencing one or more of the following issues at some point:
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