Labile autonomic nervous system. Emotional lability: good or bad?
To name and define similar forms of autonomic disorders, in which we are talking about a general predominance, in various mixtures and proportions, the term and concept of neurotonia (Guillaume - 1919) and hyper- or hypoamphotonia (Danielopoulu - 1923) appeared. Both want to express states characterized by a general predominance of both vegetative components, in combinations in which it is difficult to specify the proportion of each of them, in which the symptoms and signs of vagotonia and sympathicotonia are intertwined differently from person to another, from territory to another, even from day to day , creating strange symptomatic pictures, sometimes difficult to decipher, even paradoxical. For these conditions, later labels appeared: vegetative dystopia (Sicart), amphodystonia, dysvegetosis, as well as vegetative lability, vegetative ataxia (Birkmayer).
These names refer to - All- to the category of patients with various neurovegetative disorders that cannot be included in simple tone deviations (that is, hyper- or hypo-sympathetic-vagotonia). The various names indicated tend to mean - each - neurovegetative disorders, into which deviations of the sympatheticus and vagus are interwoven, in different features and proportions. They seem, therefore, to be equivalent, synonymous.
Still, some relative there is a difference in content between them. The shade in their use is also useful in practice, and therefore should be emphasized.
Vegetative lability means a state of instability, sensitivity and increased reactivity of the neurovegetative system, with minimal, banal, general stimuli. A vegetatively labile individual represents living reflectivity, excessive, exceeding the general size of the viscera, organs of vegetative life, in comparison with general physical factors (cold, heat), in the face of noise, polluted atmosphere, fatigue, emotions, food excesses, spoiled foods, etc.
Under the influence of such factors, more or less general, an individual with autonomic lability, quite easily and relatively often presents with episodic disorders consisting of headaches, migraines, palpitations, precordial pain, nausea, spasms, abdominal cramps, complains of cold or hot spells, becomes pale or engorged, sweats, his mouth becomes dry or saliva collects, and eventually he has an attack of diarrhea; his pulse quickens or slows down, his blood pressure rises (less often falls).
Vegetatively labile individuals sensitive to mental trauma, mental stress, and meteorological changes, to which they react very strongly; they are very sensitive when traveling and easily get seasickness, air sickness and train sickness; Nitritodine crises, intolerance reactions, a state of collapse, and fainting are also easily caused in them. They, strictly speaking, are not sick, in the purely classical sense of the word - they are painful; represent on an organism normal in appearance, greater organo-vegetative sensitivity, increased moral and physical sensitivity, increased visceral reflectivity, forcing them to periodically suffer due to aggressive conditions of even low intensity. They are, as Eppinger and then Guyom called them, “invalids of the vegetative system”, and Bergamn - “vegetatively branded; they have an unstable, unreliable balance of the vegetative system. Their state of dysreactivity, lability regarding the organ-vegetative system was also called “neuro-getative erethism” , visceral erethism" or "vegetative ataxia" (Birkmayer).
Lability is a concept used to describe mobility. The area of application may slightly change the semantic characteristics, indicating both the number of nerve impulses transmitted per unit of time by the cell, and the speed of starting and stopping mental processes.
Lability characterizes the rate of occurrence (from the onset of reaction to inhibition) of elementary processes, and is measured by the highest frequency of impulse reproduction without changes in tissue function and the time of functional recovery. This indicator is not considered a constant value, since it can change from external factors (heat, time of day, force), the effects of chemicals (produced by the body or consumed) and emotional states, so it is only possible to observe the dynamics and predisposition of the body, the prevailing level. It is the change in lability indicators that is key in diagnosing various diseases and norms.
What is lability
In scientific applications, lability is used synonymously with mobility (normally), instability (in pathology) and variability (as a characteristic of the dynamics of a state and processes). To understand the breadth of use of this term, we can consider examples of the fact that there is lability of mood in body temperature, psyche and physiology, and accordingly applies to all processes that have speed, constancy, rhythm, amplitude and other dynamic characteristics in their indicators.
The course of any processes in the body is regulated by the nervous system, therefore, even when talking about indicators of pulse or mood lability, we are still talking about the degree of lability of the nervous system (central or autonomic, depending on the location of the instability). The autonomic nervous system regulates internal organs and systems; accordingly, the general condition of the body depends on its work, the ability to maintain rhythm and stability of processes.
Autonomic lability brings disturbances in the functioning of the heart (manifestations are in the form of arrhythmia, problems with blood pressure and quality), the functioning of the glands (problems with sweating or the production of substances necessary for the quality functioning of the body may begin). Many seemingly psychological problems or those related to the central nervous system are actually solved at the level of reducing autonomic lability, which ensures productive sleep and the absorption of beneficial microelements. At the same time, it is worth remembering that signaling about the level of stress or a critical emotional situation is primarily not the central system, but the autonomic system, by increasing its lability. Mechanisms that activate the work of all organ systems to overcome difficult or extreme situations use the internal reserves of the body, forcing the heart to speed up the rhythm, the lungs to absorb more air, the iron to remove excess adrenaline through sweat, and only then the central nervous system reactions are activated.
Lability of the nervous system or mental lability is characterized by a pathological state of mood disturbance, expressed in its swings and inconstancy. The condition may be the norm for adolescence, but is classified as a spectrum of pathological conditions for adults and requires medical care, as well as the work of a psychologist, even without prescribing medications.
Lability in psychology
Mental lability, considered in psychology, implies its mobility, and in some cases instability, while science itself studies only this aspect of lability, without going into physiology. In most sources, mental lability is considered as a negative quality that requires correction, but it does not give due credit to the fact that this is the main adaptive mechanism of the psyche. It was the speed of reaction and switching between quickly and often unexpectedly changing events in external life that helped humanity survive. The opposite is the psyche, when a person remains constant for a long time, and any changes knock him out of his normal state. Any of these characteristics in its extreme manifestation is negative, but at moderate levels it gives its advantages.
Problems with lability, when a person comes to a psychologist, are associated with frequent changes in mood, while all spectrums are experienced not superficially, but really deeply (i.e., if you feel sad, then you think about opening your veins, and if you are happy, then you want to dance on workplace and give candy to passers-by - and all this within one hour). It is precisely the difficulties in coping with one’s own and the lack of understanding of how this can be corrected that brings many not only mental suffering, but the subsequent changes in health, since the autonomic system, being subordinate to emotional states, also increases the level of its lability.
Such phenomena can be justified by the type of organization of the nervous system, so in people with the speed of reactions is already determined by nature, and accordingly, an increase in lability to a pathological state is more likely. Mood swings can also be triggered by frequent exposure to traumatic situations at an early age. But we should not exclude physiological reasons that affect a person’s psychological state: brain tumors, TBI, vascular diseases.
Correction of such unpleasant conditions begins with diagnosis and exclusion of physiological causes, then, if necessary, correction is possible with mood-stabilizing drugs (antidepressants and tranquilizers), accompanied by a course of psychotherapy. In severe cases, treatment in a hospital may be appropriate; in the mildest cases, you can cope by visiting a psychologist, without interrupting your usual life.
Lability in physiology
In physiology, lability is considered as a property of tissue that characterizes its change during prolonged excitation. Reactions to prolonged excitation can be expressed in three types of response: a response to each impulse, transformation of the original rhythm into a rarer one (for example, a response to every third impulse) or cessation of the response. For each cell of the body, this rhythm is different, and it may differ from the rhythm of the organ consisting of these cells, as well as from the rhythm of the entire organ system. The faster the tissue reacts to irritation, the higher its lability is considered, but there are few indicators of only this time; it is also necessary to take into account the time required for recovery. Thus, the reaction can be quite fast, but due to the long recovery time, the overall lability will be quite low.
Lability increases or decreases depending on the needs of the body (the normal option, without diseases, is considered), and it can increase from the metabolic rate, which forces all systems to speed up the rhythm of work. An increase in lability has been noticed, that when the body is in a working active state, i.e. The lability of your tissues is much higher if you run than if you read while lying down, and the indicators remain at an increased value for some time after the cessation of vigorous activity. Such reactions are associated with the assimilation of a rhythm that meets current environmental conditions and activity needs.
The regulation of physiological lability can also be addressed in cases of disorders of the psychological spectrum, since many conditions have as their root cause not mental disorders or emotional experiences, but physiological disorders. For example, a physiological effect can eliminate sleep problems, which will automatically increase the level of attention and reduce sleep, the treatment of which would be ineffective without taking into account physiological indicators.
Intellectual lability
Intellectual lability is one of the components of the lability of the nervous system and is responsible for the processes of switching between the processes of activation and inhibition. In life, this looks like a fairly high level of mental development and the ability to logically analyze incoming information. Since a critically huge number of information blocks requiring information are received every second, there is a need to sort them as quickly as possible (at a subconscious automatic level) into significant and insignificant.
The presence of a large knowledge base becomes irrelevant and testifies not to knowledge, but to erudition; much more significant is the ability to switch between different sources of information, between different information in meaning, and also to move on to solving the next (albeit opposite) problem in the shortest possible time . At this switching speed, the main thing is to maintain the ability to highlight the main thing for the task at a given time. It is precisely this process of intellectual work that ensures high intellectual lability.
Previously, they did not know about this property, then they talked about it, but rarely, and now, when the pace of life is accelerating, the amount of information consumed is growing at such a pace that a person who lived two hundred years ago would have needed a month to realize that we process within an hour , this becomes a determining factor for success. This gives the ability to respond adequately and as usefully as possible in changing conditions, promotes instant analysis of many factors, which allows minimizing the possibility of error.
In addition, quickly switching between different topics and issues provides innovative thinking, new ways to solve old problems, and rapid assimilation of knowledge and skills, and this happens at a deeper level. For example, historical data on the same event, gleaned from different sources (here one cannot do without using the capabilities of the modern world) provides a more objective and comprehensive understanding than citing the point of view of the author of the textbook. The ability to learn quickly is due to the fact that there is no need to tune in to the arrival of material - ten minutes of reading an article in a minibus, accompanied by listening to new music, or writing a thesis with breaks to watch educational videos becomes a familiar way of functioning, providing new opportunities.
Emotional lability
Mood lability, which is the main reflection of emotional lability, is the variability of the mood pole, often without expressed reasons for this. The nervous system is responsible for our emotional state, and when it is weakened, it becomes hypersensitive, which explains the instant and strong reaction to even minor stimuli. The color can be anything - either happiness or sadness; aggressive affects and apathetic sadness arise with equal ease.
Symptoms may include spontaneity of actions, impulsiveness, lack of ability to predict the consequences of one’s own actions. The occurrence of affective outbursts and uncontrollable states for minor or absent reasons was the reason for including emotional lability in the lists of psychiatric disorders requiring stabilization under medical supervision. It may also not be a separate disease, but a symptom of more dangerous and complex ones (severe tumors, problems with blood pressure, hidden consequences of traumatic brain injuries, etc.). It is difficult to diagnose in childhood, since it has been little studied and is often confused with, therefore, a team of specialists from a psychiatrist, psychologist and neurologist is required for diagnosis.
Emotional instability manifests itself in restlessness, lack of patience and acute reaction to criticism or obstacles, difficulties in establishing logical chains, as well as mood swings. These swings are different from manic-depressive disorder and are characterized by a rapid change of states with the same deep experience of the emotional spectrum.
Any overload of the nervous system contributes to this development of the emotional sphere: emotional stress, psychotraumas or their actualization, hyper- or hypoattention from society, hormonal changes (adolescence and menopause, pregnancy). Physiological reasons: somatic diseases, deficiency of vitamins (especially group B, necessary to maintain the functioning of the nervous system), as well as difficult physical conditions.
If emotional lability is diagnosed, then a psychiatrist should correct it; if the condition is not so dire, then a course of prevention is prescribed by a psychologist. In any case, you should not treat such manifestations with disdain, explaining them as bad character.
You've probably heard the term “lability”. What it is? Lability is the speed of excitation in nervous and muscle tissues, the speed of transition from a state of excitation to a state of rest and vice versa. The term comes from the Latin word labilis, which means unstable, sliding.
What does it mean? Different cells and tissues of the body react differently to nervous stimulation and can transmit received impulses at different speeds. The term “lability” was proposed to be used by the Russian physiologist N. E. Vvedensky in 1886. He studied the frequency of tissue irritation and the tissue's response to sustained stimuli. Lability is expressed in the time required to restore performance after the resulting stimulation. It depends on various factors and can decrease, for example, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, or cold. In this case, it takes more time to recover to a normal state.
Lability is a phenomenon inherent in a person at the gene level. Therefore, everyone has their own susceptibility to various types of mental disorders and diseases. If lability indicators are low, then at the psychological level people are less susceptible to alcohol, nicotine, drug addiction and other addictions. But with prolonged exposure to the body, addiction can still arise and develop. With high levels of emotional lability, for example, after smoking the first cigarette, it is easier for people to quit smoking, but no tangible changes will occur in the body. But if lability is low, even if a person is not a follower of an unhealthy lifestyle and bad habits, but for some reason tried the same cigarette, most likely he will not be able to give it up on his own.
This term is used in medicine, psychology, and psychiatry. There are social, emotional, mental, vegetative, intellectual and other uses of this term.
Emotional lability is responsible for frequent mood changes without significant reasons. What is this - a normal state, or a signal of the presence of a disease?
This is often a symptom of a brain problem or disease, or may be the result of a traumatic brain injury. The emotional state can change several times a day, even due to minor events or circumstances. In this case, the depth of such change is taken into account.
Actions can be harsh and thoughtless. The consequences of such actions affect the human condition. Mood, sleep, appetite changes, a desire appears, either to be alone or to be only with a very close person, or to be in a noisy place, in company, this is reflected in well-being, expressed in relation to the vision of the future or judgments about the past.
High emotional lability is characteristic of people with increased anxiety. Often such people are perceived as frivolous and superficial, since their actions and actions are difficult to explain and understand. Often the cause of this condition is the presence of a situation that traumatizes the human psyche. And when the stimulus is eliminated, emotional lability also decreases or disappears. The help of a psychologist under such circumstances will have a positive effect, but will not remove the causes and therefore will not have an effective result. Sometimes the help of a psychiatrist, treatment with special drugs that affect the brain, and sometimes the intervention of a neurologist and neurosurgeon are necessary. You can take herbal sedatives. And it is very important to reconsider your lifestyle - pay more attention to walks in the fresh air, playing sports, and avoid those factors that may cause such a condition.
Responsible for the ability to adapt to the current situation, for the transition from the stage of thinking to action, for switching attention from one task to another without making mistakes. These are very valuable qualities in the modern world, where the flow of information is growing and there is a need to quickly learn and respond to what is most necessary and essential at the moment. It is very important to have creative thinking, a desire to learn quickly, and to perceive new things. Special tests have been developed to determine the level of intellectual lability. What does it mean? If the level is high enough, we can talk about the good ability of the nervous system to move from excitation processes to inhibition processes. A person can adequately respond to changing situations, make the right decisions, and acquire new knowledge.
Vegetative lability - what is it?
In medicine, the study of lability is important for determining autonomic disorders in the human body and what causes them. After all, the autonomic nervous system is responsible for all the most vital processes and functions of the body, such as reproduction, body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and various biochemical processes. Even in children and adolescents, the manifestation of these disorders can be observed, which subsequently leads to serious health problems. It is difficult to diagnose this manifestation, since it can be expressed by headaches, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, nausea, sleep problems, tinnitus, irritability and other manifestations. In any case, you need to contact specialists to detect the problem and avoid consequences and complications.
Blood pressure lability
Another expression found in medicine. It is characterized by a permanent or temporary manifestation of either an increase or decrease in blood pressure. Such jumps can manifest themselves through headaches in the back of the head, “floaters” and double vision, sleep disturbance, decreased attention and memory, numbness of the limbs, as causeless excitability and irritability. You need to pay attention to these symptoms and also try to determine the cause of their occurrence. You need to measure your blood pressure twice a day for about two weeks and try to change your lifestyle - diet, sleep patterns, spend more time in the fresh air, pay attention to sports, reduce physical and psycho-emotional stress.
Social lability - what is it?
It manifests itself as fear during contact with strangers, in public speaking, in relationships, and contacts with other persons. It is difficult for such people to adapt to new places, they are afraid to meet new people, to start something unknown to themselves. Sometimes it even requires intervention and help from specialists.
The term “lability” means instability, mobility, variability of various phenomena and processes in the body (pulse, body temperature, physiological state, psyche).
Autonomic lability is the unstable functioning of the autonomic (autonomic) nervous system.
Increased sensitivity and reactivity of the autonomic nervous system manifests itself with minimal stress.
Anatomical and physiological implications
The autonomic nervous system is part of the body's nervous system. Its functions include control and regulation of the work of internal organs (intestines, stomach, heart, etc.), lymphatic, circulatory systems, and glands of the body.
This system also regulates the process of sweating, heart rate, thermoregulation, and blood pressure. It is also responsible for a person’s reaction in stressful situations, for the ability to fully relax physically during rest, for the digestion and assimilation of food consumed. The functioning of the autonomic nervous system is beyond human control.
The autonomic nervous system consists of two divisions - sympathetic and parasympathetic. The parasympathetic nervous system regulates the functioning of the endocrine system, the digestive tract, is responsible for metabolism and lowering blood pressure.
The sympathetic nervous system is active in stressful situations. It is responsible for supplying muscles with oxygen, rapid heartbeat, and breathing.
In a normal state, there is an adequate response of the autonomic system to external stimuli (stress, temperature, sounds). With the syndrome of increased lability of the autonomic nervous system, an individual may experience inadequate reactions to the usual: increased sweating at low temperatures, increased blood pressure with minor stress.
Reflexes of the autonomic system ensure an adequate response of the body to stress, and a person’s understanding of the presence of anomalies in his condition or sensations.
Autonomic lability is not an idiopathic disease. Often it is a sign. This disorder is present in approximately 80% of the population, in adults and children.
Reasons for failure
Lability of the autonomic nervous system can develop gradually and occur suddenly. This condition often remains undiagnosed, since patients do not attach importance to the manifestations, considering them the result of stressful situations and fatigue. Patients can also be counted.
The causes of autonomic lability can be varied:
- adverse effects of the external environment;
- infectious diseases;
- intoxication;
- surgical intervention;
- and other injuries;
- change of climate and time zones;
- pregnancy;
- menopause;
- psychological trauma, including childhood trauma;
- lack of vitamins (especially vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 and vitamin E).
There is also the possibility of autonomic lability due to, which can be caused by various diseases.
Such diseases include ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, paraneoplastic syndrome, sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome.
Wide range of manifestations
Manifestations of autonomic lability are associated with all areas that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system; symptoms of the condition can be varied:
Individuals with vegetative lability have an increased sensitivity to mental trauma, stress, meteorological changes, and a tendency to seasickness and air sickness.
Examination and diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary, since the symptoms of autonomic lability are similar to those of other diseases. It is necessary to exclude mental illnesses, neuropsychiatric disorders, and also in the case of physiological manifestations, to exclude organic pathologies.
After excluding other diseases, the likelihood of disorders in the autonomic nervous system is considered. Often, collecting an anamnesis, interviewing the patient, and a superficial examination is sufficient.
A neurologist should pay attention to constriction or dilation of the pupils, increased sweating, or excessive dryness of the skin, pallor, or hyperemia of the skin. To assess the work of the autonomic system, the work of skin, somatovegetative, and sweat reflexes is analyzed.
Also, to assess the degree of violations, tests are prescribed for the biochemical composition of urine and blood.
An integrated approach to treatment
When treating vegetative lability, methods without the use of pharmacological drugs predominate.
To bring the functioning of the nervous system back to normal, it is recommended:
- adhere to normal operating hours;
- have proper sleep and rest;
- follow proper nutrition;
- lead a healthy lifestyle;
- exercise;
- reduce physical activity;
- spend time outdoors, take walks;
- avoid stress factors;
- use decoctions of mint, valerian, lemon balm.
Drug treatment consists of the use, as well as symptomatic treatment of organs and systems whose functioning has been disrupted due to the disease.
They use drugs whose action is aimed at normalizing sleep, sedatives, painkillers, and vitamins.
A neurologist may prescribe anti-anxiety medications (Tenoten,). The therapeutic course is selected individually.
In addition to visiting a neurologist, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or psychologist. These specialists will help identify the cause of the disease, as well as learn how to deal with stress, and teach techniques for relieving vegetative symptoms that arise as a result of internal tension.
Autonomic lability of the nervous system requires treatment, as it can lead to a number of diseases:
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system (ischemia, hypertension, atherosclerotic changes);
- stomach diseases (gastritis, peptic ulcer);
- mental disorders.
Autonomic lability is the unstable functioning of the autonomic (autonomic) nervous system.
Increased sensitivity and reactivity of the autonomic nervous system manifests itself with minimal stress factors.
Anatomical and physiological implications
The autonomic nervous system is part of the body's nervous system. Its functions include control and regulation of the work of internal organs (intestines, stomach, heart, etc.), lymphatic, circulatory systems, and glands of the body.
This system also regulates the process of sweating, heart rate, thermoregulation, and blood pressure. It is also responsible for a person’s reaction in stressful situations, for the ability to fully relax physically during rest, for the digestion and assimilation of food consumed. The functioning of the autonomic nervous system is beyond human control.
The autonomic nervous system consists of two divisions - sympathetic and parasympathetic. The parasympathetic nervous system regulates the functioning of the endocrine system, the digestive tract, is responsible for metabolism and lowering blood pressure.
The sympathetic nervous system is active in stressful situations. It is responsible for supplying muscles with oxygen, rapid heartbeat, and breathing.
In a normal state, there is an adequate response of the autonomic system to external stimuli (stress, temperature, sounds). With the syndrome of increased lability of the autonomic nervous system, an individual may experience inadequate reactions to common stress factors: increased sweating at low temperatures, increased blood pressure with minor stress.
Reflexes of the autonomic system ensure an adequate response of the body to stress, and a person’s understanding of the presence of anomalies in his condition or sensations.
Autonomic lability is not an idiopathic disease. Often it is a sign of vegetative-vascular dystonia. This disorder is present in approximately 80% of the population, in adults and children.
Reasons for failure
Lability of the autonomic nervous system can develop gradually and occur suddenly. This condition often remains undiagnosed, since patients do not attach importance to the manifestations, considering them the result of stressful situations and fatigue. Patients may also be considered hypochondriacs.
The causes of autonomic lability can be varied:
- stress factors;
- adverse effects of the external environment;
- infectious diseases;
- intoxication;
- surgical intervention;
- traumatic brain and other injuries;
- change of climate and time zones;
- pregnancy;
- menopause;
- psychological trauma, including childhood trauma;
- lack of vitamins (especially vitamins B1, B3, B6 and B12 and vitamin E).
There is also the possibility of autonomic lability due to dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, which can be caused by various diseases.
Such diseases include ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, paraneoplastic syndrome, sarcoidosis, Sjögren's syndrome.
Wide range of manifestations
Manifestations of autonomic lability are associated with all areas that are controlled by the autonomic nervous system; symptoms of the condition can be varied:
- fainting and dizziness;
- increased fatigue (due to lack of adequate adjustment of heart rate relative to stress);
- increased or decreased sweating;
- headache;
- disturbances in the digestive tract, which lead to constipation, diarrhea, bloating, loss of appetite;
- difficulty urinating;
- problems in the sexual sphere (lack of erection, vaginal dryness, nonorgasmia);
- visual impairment (increased sensitivity to light, blurred vision);
- poor tolerance to cold and heat;
- sleep disorders;
- tremor;
- rapid heartbeat, lability of blood pressure;
- apathy, lethargy, weakness, constant mild malaise;
- increased irritability;
- decreased concentration;
- sudden mood swings;
- speech disorders;
- unreasonable fears, anxiety and neurotic phobias;
- pain in joints and muscles;
- dry skin;
- numbness in various parts of the body.
Examination and diagnosis
To make a diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary, since the symptoms of autonomic lability are similar to those of other diseases. It is necessary to exclude mental illnesses, neuropsychiatric disorders, and also in the case of physiological manifestations, to exclude organic pathologies.
After excluding other diseases, the likelihood of disorders in the autonomic nervous system is considered. Often, collecting an anamnesis, interviewing the patient, and a superficial examination is sufficient.
A neurologist should pay attention to constriction or dilation of the pupils, increased sweating, or excessive dryness of the skin, pallor, or hyperemia of the skin. To assess the work of the autonomic system, the work of skin, somatovegetative, and sweat reflexes is analyzed.
Also, to assess the degree of violations, tests are prescribed for the biochemical composition of urine and blood.
An integrated approach to treatment
When treating vegetative lability, methods without the use of pharmacological drugs predominate.
To bring the functioning of the nervous system back to normal, it is recommended:
- adhere to normal operating hours;
- have proper sleep and rest;
- follow proper nutrition;
- lead a healthy lifestyle;
- exercise;
- reduce physical activity;
- spend time outdoors, take walks;
- avoid stress factors;
- use decoctions of mint, valerian, lemon balm.
Drug treatment consists of the use of drugs that calm the nervous system, as well as symptomatic treatment of organs and systems whose functioning has been disrupted due to the disease.
They use drugs whose action is aimed at normalizing sleep, sedatives, painkillers, and vitamins.
A neurologist may prescribe anti-anxiety drugs (Tenoten, Phenazepam, Phenibut, Afobazol). The therapeutic course is selected individually.
In addition to visiting a neurologist, it is recommended to consult a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, or psychologist. These specialists will help identify the cause of the disease, as well as learn how to deal with stress, and teach techniques for relieving vegetative symptoms that arise as a result of internal tension.
Autonomic lability of the nervous system requires treatment, as it can lead to a number of diseases:
- pathologies of the cardiovascular system (ischemia, hypertension, atherosclerotic changes);
- stomach diseases (gastritis, peptic ulcer);
- mental disorders.
This section was created to take care of those who need a qualified specialist, without disturbing the usual rhythm of their own lives.
Vegetative lability
What is this?
Autonomic disorders in the human body are a fairly common phenomenon, observed in approximately 80% of adults. The causes of this disease are structural and functional changes in the autonomic nervous system, which results in a disruption of the regulatory functions of some organs and systems, for example, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, etc. In recent years, there has also been a “rejuvenation” of such symptoms - they are increasingly appearing in adolescents and children. There are several reasons for this: excessive academic loads at school, where the child has to be almost constantly under tension; poor quality nutrition; poor environmental conditions. By the way, now children move very little, preferring computer games instead of outdoor games.
Signs of vegetative lability
Don't start the disease
Alas, not all parents pay due attention to the symptoms described above in their child. Increased fatigue and headaches are easily “explained” by school stress, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract are easily explained by an unbalanced diet or minor food poisoning. A doctor is consulted only when symptoms become severe. However, autonomic disorders can cause complications, so you should consult a doctor as early as possible. Statistics show that against the background of autonomic disorders, pathologies of the cardiovascular system can easily develop: hypertension, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic changes.
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What is autonomic lability?
Autonomic lability – instability of the nervous system
Lability in medicine is the instability of physiological, psychological processes, and other phenomena. Accordingly, autonomic lability is the instability of the autonomic nervous system, or more precisely, the processes for which it is responsible.
The autonomic or autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that regulates the functioning of the internal organs (heart, stomach, intestines, and others), as well as the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Numerous glands of our body are also under its control. Thus, for example, sweating, blood pressure, heart rate, the ability to thermoregulate, and much more depend on the autonomic nervous system. It plays an important role in stressful situations that require a person to respond in a “fight or flight” manner. How well a person rests (here we mean physical, bodily relaxation) and how the food he eats is digested and absorbed largely depends on its work.
If a person can control the processes occurring under the “beginning” of the central nervous system to a certain extent, then the functioning of the autonomic nervous system is beyond his control. However, there are techniques that supposedly help a person gain control over some of the functions for which it is responsible (for example, slowing down the heartbeat), but their effects are poorly understood and take a very long time to master.
The two main divisions of the autonomic nervous system are the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (SNS and PNS, respectively). The first of them is primarily responsible for the more active (at least externally) activity of the body, in particular for the fight or flight reaction, which was mentioned above. When exposed to a stressor that forces a person to choose between flight and fight, the SNS, for example, causes blood pressure to rise and heart rate to increase. The PNS is responsible for digestion, lowering blood pressure, as well as the functioning of the endocrine system and metabolism.
In a healthy person, the autonomic system responds adequately to external stimuli - temperature, stress, and others. In patients with autonomic lability, normal stimuli may cause abnormal responses. For example, their blood pressure may rise sharply when exposed to the slightest stressor, they may sweat a lot when the air temperature is not too high, and so on. Autonomic lability is not an independent disease; it may be the first sign of vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD) or, less commonly, other disorders. By the way, VSD itself is often also a sign of various disorders. We will talk about the causes of vegetative lability below.
Researchers believe that throughout the world the number of people who have more or less pronounced autonomic lability is in the tens, if not hundreds of millions. Many patients do not pay attention to its signs for a long time or deliberately ignore them, believing that they are a consequence of stress, fatigue, and will soon go away on their own.
Symptoms of autonomic lability
Since autonomic lability can, to one degree or another, affect all areas that are under the control of the autonomic nervous system, its symptoms can be very diverse. Possible symptoms of autonomic lability include:
Dizziness and fainting; Increased, extremely rapid fatigue during training or physical work, due to the fact that the autonomic nervous system cannot adjust the heart rate in accordance with the load; Excessive or insufficient sweating; Digestive problems, which may cause diarrhea or constipation, bloating, loss of appetite, and so on; Difficulty urinating; Problems in the sexual sphere. Men may have difficulty getting an erection; women often experience vaginal dryness and experience orgasm less often than usual; Vision problems. Patients with autonomic lability often complain of blurred vision and/or increased sensitivity to light. This may be due to the fact that the pupils do not respond quickly enough to changes in light; Intolerance to heat or cold; Sleep problems; Trembling in the hands (usually not very strong); Increased heart rate, increased or decreased blood pressure for no apparent reason.
In addition to the listed signs, patients may complain of mild malaise, which is present almost constantly, lethargy, apathy, and weakness.
Vegetative lability
What is this?
Autonomic disorders in the human body are a fairly common phenomenon, observed in approximately 80% of adults. The causes of this disease are structural and functional changes in the autonomic nervous system, which results in a disruption of the regulatory functions of some organs and systems, for example, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, etc. In recent years, there has also been a rejuvenation of such symptoms - increasingly, signs of vegetative lability appear in adolescents and children. There are several reasons for this: excessive academic loads at school, where the child has to be almost constantly under tension; poor quality nutrition; poor environmental conditions. By the way, now children move very little, preferring computer games instead of outdoor games.
Signs of vegetative lability
Symptoms of this disorder in children can manifest themselves in different ways, which complicates its diagnosis: dizziness, headaches; increased heart rate; unexplained surges in blood pressure. As a result, we get poor sleep, increased fatigue, increased irritability, sometimes the stomach hurts, the temperature rises, nausea appears, etc. Dizziness can cause fainting, especially if you stand up suddenly or stand in one place for a long time. In the presence of autonomic disorders, the child becomes too anxious, afraid of everything, often cries, which entails many psychological problems.
Don't start the disease
Alas, not all parents pay due attention to the symptoms described above in their child. Increased fatigue and headaches are easily explained by school stress, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract are easily explained by an unbalanced diet or minor food poisoning. A doctor is consulted only when symptoms become severe. However, autonomic disorders can cause complications, so you should consult a doctor as early as possible. Statistics show that against the background of autonomic disorders, pathologies of the cardiovascular system can easily develop: hypertension, coronary artery disease, atherosclerotic changes.
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There is no direct connection between mental development and brain weight. There are known cases when the brain weight of gifted people not only exceeded the average weight (for example, in Turgenev - g, Bekhterevag, Pavlovag, Mendeleevag, Gaussag), but was also less (in Gambettyg, Fransag). The heaviest of all the brains studied was found in one idiot (2850). But there is a weight limit below which mental abilities drop sharply: for men; for women
Prevention of atherosclerosis
Increased vegetative lability
For people with increased autonomic lability or burdened with vascular and metabolic heredity (for example, if one or both parents have hypertension or coronary atherosclerosis), it is not advisable to choose a profession associated with increased, sometimes excessive loads on the nervous system or with the impact on the body of a number of unfavorable physical or chemical factors, for example, such as intense high-frequency intermittent noise, monotonous work on a conveyor, especially with a fixed body position; Work that requires either very much attention, such as at control panels, or very quick reactions (for example, drivers of any type of transport, especially pilots, etc.) is also undesirable for such persons.
It is also undesirable for such persons to work in shifts that vary depending on the time of day, under conditions of constant exposure to toxic substances (lead, carbon monoxide, carbon disulfide, etc.), electromagnetic fields of ultra-high frequencies, vibration, increased radiation and other harmful agents. When choosing a profession, interest in the work ahead and a sense of satisfaction with it are essential.
Among preventive measures, a certain place should be occupied by early detection and treatment of diseases that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis: hypertension, metabolic disorders, especially diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism. In the USSR, work is already being carried out in this direction on the early diagnosis of these diseases.
However, the systematic treatment of identified patients, especially with hypertension and symptomatic hypertension, still leaves much to be desired, despite the fact that doctors have quite active drugs at their disposal and the possibility of using sanatorium-resort, physiotherapeutic treatment, and proper employment of patients.
Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, B.V. Ilyinsky
Persistent treatment of hypertension
Practically healthy people who are members of families in which parents, brothers or sisters already suffer from atherosclerosis-related diseases listen more carefully to medical advice. But also among this one.
It is well known that among people of the same age living in a similar geographical area, some have clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis and, in particular.
It is necessary to distinguish between primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerosis. The first aims to prevent the development of the disease itself, while the second is aimed at preventing the development of the disease itself.
In modern conditions, when, due to the progress of technology, the requirements for physical work have sharply decreased and the load on the nervous system has sharply increased.
The absence of any correct regime or its frequent violations only contribute to the development of laxity in the child and create the preconditions for development.
According to a survey of students from the I and II Moscow and Kyiv Medical Institutes and the Pedagogical Institute in Siauliai, their workload is in the range of 55-71.
Autonomic lability - symptoms and treatment
Autonomic lability occurs when there are disturbances in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Its action is automatic and almost not controlled by consciousness. It controls functions such as breathing, digestion, and heartbeat.
It controls many defensive reactions, for example, constriction of the pupils to light, the desire to remove a limb when exposed to pain, and many others.
Stable operation of the autonomic nervous system ensures the coordinated functioning of internal organs and systems, adapting them to unfavorable environmental conditions.
If the system fails, vegetative lability occurs, and it no longer protects, but has a negative effect on the human body.
What is vegetative lability
The disease has diverse manifestations.
If disturbances have occurred in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system, then it is no longer able to give an adequate response to a stressful situation.
Most often, the system’s reaction to an external stimulus can be too violent.
For example, with a minor conflict, a person may experience palpitations, a sharp rise in blood pressure, and an attack of suffocation. Similar reactions in the form of dysfunction can be observed in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory and other systems and organs.
A person loses his appetite, suffers from incomprehensible pain in the stomach or heart, sleeps poorly and becomes irritable.
As a rule, when visiting a doctor, pathologies in systems and organs are not detected; such patients are often considered hypochondriacs and malingerers.
Reasons for the development of the disease
The disease can appear suddenly or develop gradually, but a person simply does not pay attention to the “alarm bells” in his body.
It is provoked by stress factors and adverse effects of the external environment.
They weaken the body and lead it to physical and mental exhaustion.
The development of the disease can be triggered by infectious diseases, various intoxications, operations and injuries, especially craniocerebral injuries, as well as changes in time zones and climate. In women, this often occurs during pregnancy or menopause.
The roots of the disease can also be hidden in early childhood and be associated with psychological trauma.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of autonomic lability are quite diverse and depend on the individual neuropsychic and physiological characteristics of a person.
Disturbances can manifest themselves in the form of physiological and neuropsychological disorders.
Physiological manifestations may include rapid heartbeat, dizziness, headaches and even fainting.
Disorders of the genitourinary, cardiovascular and digestive systems are typical. Various types of numbness, muscle and joint pain, severe sweating or, conversely, dry skin are possible.
With neuropsychological disorders, asthenic syndrome often occurs, when a person complains of causeless weakness and fatigue, irritability and impaired attention, and sudden mood swings occur.
Other manifestations of such disorders may be sleep disturbances and speech disorders. Neurotic phobias and unreasonable fears also often accompany the manifestation of this disease.
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Clinical and laboratory diagnostics
This disease can be diagnosed only after an examination to exclude organic pathology in physiological manifestations and mental illness in neuropsychological disorders.
After the examination is completed, autonomic disorders are considered.
Often their manifestation is noticeable even when interviewing the patient and a superficial examination - this is dilation or constriction of the pupils, dry skin or excessive sweating, possible pallor or, conversely, sharp hyperemia of the skin.
The tone of the autonomic system is judged by reflexes. Somato-vegetative, skin and sweat reflexes are usually examined.
Treatment tactics
When choosing treatment tactics, the emphasis is on non-drug methods aimed at normalizing the functioning of the nervous system.
Avoiding stress, frequent walks and moderate exercise also play a big role in recovery. It is advised to drink, instead of tea and water, infusions of herbs such as mint, lemon balm or valerian.
In addition to a regular doctor, such patients need the help of a psychologist or psychotherapist.
Regular sessions will help identify the cause of the disease and change your attitude towards it. A psychologist will help you develop skills to combat stress and teach relaxation techniques to reduce or relieve vegetative symptoms that develop due to internal tension.
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Drugs for the treatment of disorders
Drug treatment of autonomic lability is aimed at normalizing the function of organs and systems and relieving tension in the autonomic nervous system. They use medications to normalize sleep, safe sedatives, painkillers, and also use vitamin therapy.
For severe disorders, anti-anxiety medications may be prescribed for a short time:
- Phenazepam, due to its relaxing effect on the central nervous system, is effective against insomnia and seizures. Its use has a positive effect in any disorder of the autonomic nervous system, helps cope with irritability, and reduce the severity of neurasthenia.
- Tenoten, this homeopathic medicine has several effects on the body. It calms and helps normalize the psycho-emotional background, stimulates memory and concentration, and does not cause drowsiness. It is used for chronic prolonged stress and nervous system disorders.
- Phenibut has a positive effect on memory, stimulates brain activity, and improves brain nutrition. It is used for decreased performance, memory loss, and sleep disorders. It also has a positive effect in the treatment of anxiety and neurotic conditions.
The basis of the disease is a disruption of the autonomic system.
Nutrition for vegetative lability
The health of nerve cells depends on the usefulness of food.
For their normal operation, it is necessary to consume products with a high concentration of certain chemical elements:
- Phosphorus activates the functioning of nerve endings. It is found in legumes, liver, cereals, and dairy products.
- Iron is responsible for brain function. Its sources are seafood, liver, beef, buckwheat, spinach, cabbage.
- Calcium ensures the speed of transmission of nerve impulses to internal organs and systems. Calcium is found in dairy products, vegetables, and almonds.
- Magnesium is responsible for the transmission of nerve impulses. It enters the body through consumption of all types of cereals, nuts, egg yolk, and bran.
- Potassium normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular system. It is advisable to include vegetables, fruits, legumes, and millet in the daily menu.
- Promotes normal functioning of the thyroid gland, improves memory iodine. It is found in seaweed and seafood.
- The daily menu should include foods that contain vitamins A, B, C, E. The main sources of vitamins are: legumes, nuts, vegetables, fruits, fish oil, citrus fruits, red peppers, rose hips, strawberries, black currants, spinach, sprouted wheat sprouts, porridge, black bread.
- All types of cereals and cereals play an important role in the health of the nervous system. They are the main source of fiber, which is able to remove accumulated toxins from the body.
- To form liquid cholesterol, you need to consume foods that contain lecithin: eggs, sunflower seeds, citrus fruits, sprouted wheat. Cholesterol in this form is necessary for nerve cells.
- Brain activity depends on blood glucose levels. To normalize it, it is advisable to eat potatoes, grapes, salads, fruits, raspberries, raisins, and honey.
Traditional methods for the treatment of vegetative lability
Traditional medicine is actively used for the treatment and prevention of vegetative lability.
Tea made from herbal tea has restorative properties. It contains 30 g of St. John's wort, 20 g of peppermint, 15 g of lemon balm. The ingredients must be combined. To brew, pour 2 tablespoons of the raw material into a glass of boiling water. You need to insist for half an hour. It is recommended to drink 1 glass of the drink in the morning and evening.
A tincture containing lemon, eggshells and vodka has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. 10 lemons and the shells of 5 eggs must be finely chopped and poured with 500 ml of vodka. It takes about 2 days to apply the product. You need to drink the medicine three times a day, 2 tablespoons.
A preparation made from thyme, motherwort and oregano will help normalize the psychological state. Two tablespoons of the herbal mixture should be poured into 500 ml of boiling water and left for more than 3 hours. You need to take the tincture three times a day, one spoon.
Herbal baths have a calming, strengthening and restorative effect.
The following types of medicinal plants are used for their preparation:
Before taking healing water procedures, you must take a shower and cleanse your skin. After bathing, do not rinse your body with plain water.
Baths with sea salt will help relieve tension. The components contained in salt help activate metabolic processes, restore the balance of microelements and vitamins, and strengthen the autonomic nervous system.
Consequences and complications
Impaired functioning of the autonomic nervous system leads to the development of various diseases.
- The cardiovascular system. Tachycardia, unstable blood pressure, heart failure, poor blood circulation. Unreasonable pressure and pain in the heart area.
- There is a high probability of blood clots with decreased blood clotting.
- Respiratory system. Shortness of breath appears, breathing quickens, and there is a feeling of lack of air when inhaling. There is a lack of oxygen in the blood, which leads to dizziness, muscle spasms, and high sensitivity of the limbs.
- Digestive system. Abdominal pain, cramps, and flatulence occur. Gastrointestinal disorder is accompanied by lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and pain when swallowing food. An ulcer or gastritis may develop.
- Inflammation of the pancreas, which secretes enzymes for the digestive process.
- The process of sweating is disrupted and increases, especially on the feet and palms.
- Unreasonable painful and difficult urination.
- Sexual dysfunction. Sexual desire decreases, which is accompanied by malfunction of the genital organs.
- Thermoregulation is impaired. The body temperature rises, which is accompanied by chills.
- Mental disorders. There is a feeling of lethargy, depression, inability to control emotions and think rationally. Depression, apathy, neuroses, chronic fatigue, insomnia, and irritability are also possible.
- A weakened immune system leads to active exposure to pathogenic microorganisms that contribute to the development of infectious diseases.
- Skin diseases occur.
You can prevent disruptions in the functioning of the autonomic nervous system by following simple recommendations.
- Lifestyle. Changes should be made to the daily work schedule. Spend more time in the fresh air, alternate rest with work, it is advisable to avoid stressful situations, give up bad habits.
It is advisable to distance yourself from the influence of negative emotions and tune in to the positive. Communicate more with people, attend cultural events.
- Proper nutrition. It is recommended to follow a diet. Eat more easily digestible and healthy foods: vegetables, fruits, dietary meat, dairy products, seafood, lettuce, spinach, nuts, grains, vegetable oils.
It is advisable to avoid eating baked goods, sweets, fatty and fried foods, soda, chewing gum, and strong tea or coffee. You can drink green tea and pure still water.
- Physical activity. Sports activities help saturate the body with air, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and increase immunity. Any sport is suitable for this: swimming, aerobics, running, cycling, race walking, dancing.
- Massage, acupuncture, swimming, yoga, contrast shower, relaxing bath, aromatherapy, bath are effective.
- Healthy sleep. During a night's rest, all the body's functional abilities, vitality and energy are restored.