The Dysautonomia Project

"The Dysautonomia Project" is a much needed tool for physicians, patients, or caregivers looking to arm themselves with the power of knowledge. It combines current publications from leaders in the field of autonomic disorders with explanations for doctors and patients about the signs and symptoms, which will aid in reducing the six-year lead time to diagnosis.

What causes anxiety to be so prevalent in so many people? How is it best prevented and treated? What can patients and physicians do to better understand this common medical issue? Anxiety is a component of many physical and mental disorders, from depression to PTSD. Unfortunately, not many patients find relief in the associated therapies and medications, and simply adding more of the same often causes other disorders. Additionally, many who suffer from anxiety may in fact have other, anxiety-like conditions, such as the frequently misdiagnosed postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which can make any attempt at treatment futile. But now, with Anxiety and Dysautonomia: Do I Have POTS or Autonomic Dysfunction?, Donald J. Parker and physicians Joseph Colombo and Nicholas L. DePace aim to show, with a simplified analysis and discussion focusing on this common patient complaint and how best to treat it, that no longer does anxiety need to be merely managed with the forced lifestyle changes that are often required. Topics covered include: ​ Parasympathetic and Sympathetic (P&S) dysfunctions that lead to anxiety-like conditions, plus clear concepts of anxiety and anxiety-like symptoms, the six-pronged Mind-Body Wellness Program, and the P&S nervous systems. How many of these anxiety-like conditions are actually caused by a lack of proper blood flow to the brain, which may cause mild symptoms of depression, fatigue, malaise, brain fog, and cognitive and memory difficulties, sleep difficulties, and more. The way these issues, when exacerbated, may trigger “adrenaline storms” that cycle the anxiety-like symptoms. Treatments that in many cases enable a return to a “normal” (as defined by the patient) quality of life, including natural therapies to relieve symptoms and promote wellness. Presenting discussions with patients and doctors side-by-side to help physicians see how to present information to their patients and patients to learn what physicians need to know to tailor therapy to their individual needs, Anxiety and Dysautonomia is an essential resource for anyone concerned with anxiety and anxiety-like disorders, from medical professionals to patients to family and friends.

Dysautonomia, POTS Syndrome affects many people. This books aims to provide the information sought out by those people who suffer. Frederick Earlstein has written this medical education guide to provide an understanding of Dysautonomia, POTS Syndrome including POTS and Associated Disorders, signs and symptoms, causes and treatment, living with POTS, research and resources, and medical definitions. In a straightforward, no nonsense fashion, Frederick Earlstein covers all aspects of Dysautonomia, POTS Syndrome. The book is full of informative content and answers to your questions - including some you didn't know you had!

Second EditionPOTS - Together We Stand: Riding the Waves of Dysautonomia is a collaborative effort of many doctors, teachers, counselors, parents and patients who wove this tapestry. Initially conceptualized as a survival guide for children, teens, young adults and parents; it quickly transcended into this unprecedented, critical volume. This encompassing work responds to the many desperate and heartbreaking pleas of those affected by dysautonomia; included are clear explanations of medical information, evidenced-based research, best practices for clinical diagnoses and treatment options, alternative/complimentary medicine approaches, non-medical strategies, coping techniques, helpful tips, patient rights and options, and inspiring narrative accounts of people living with the syndrome around the globe. The book contributors and its readers join hand in hand to represent the POTS dysautonomia community's shared struggles and hopes, concerns and endeavors, unequivocally serving as a living testament that "Together We Stand." This is the 3rd Edition!

The “trifecta” refers to three conditions that commonly occur together: mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and the hypermobile type of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS). These three conditions are gradually becoming more recognized in the mainstream medical world as more and more patients find themselves struggling with debilitating and often mysterious symptoms. However, recognizing these conditions is only the first step on the healing journey. With the right approach and toolbox, patients can reverse many of these symptoms to find lasting vitality. Written by a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has additional certifications in functional medicine and nutrition and extensive experience in working with these conditions, this book serves as patient guide that empowers individuals to put all of the puzzle pieces together as part of an individualized healing plan. Part One (3 chapters) is an overview of the three trifecta conditions, and Part Two (9 chapters) outlines the important pillars of an essential plan to address any (or all) of these conditions holistically. The book wraps up with a chapter of patient case stories. Accompanying the purchase of this book is access to a free 20-page PDF document that serves as a customizable workbook for readers to use as they read along. The Trifecta Passport dives into topics such as nervous system regulation, mold and other biotoxins, nutrition, exercise, detoxification, mental/emotional health and trauma, structural/musculoskeletal issues and the many underlying root issues (related to hormones, bacterial/viral load, gut health, etc.) that can trigger or exacerbate these conditions. This resource unpacks many different tools and practical treatment options that should be on the radar of patients living with these (and other) chronic conditions. When faced with these labels, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the resources out there to figure out how to move forward with a comprehensive and personalized road map. By helping readers put it all together in an organized manner, this book is a great resource for any patient with chronic illness as well as the caregivers and doctors who support them.

DDisorders associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system are quite common yet frequently unrecognized. The quantitative autonomic testing presented here can be invaluable tool for evaluation of these disorders. This manual fills a gap in the literature and deals mainly with practical aspects of autonomic testing. In accord with the "good picture is worth a thousand words" mantra, signal drawings are heavy used throughout the text to facilitate the readers' knowledge. Autonomic Testing is the optimal guide for autonomic fellows, residents in neurology, general medicine and other specialties or for everybody that is interested in performing and interpreting autonomic tests. The unique aspect of this book is the use of the skin biopsies for assessment of small autonomic and sensory fibers as a routine part of autonomic testing. Another important feature of this book is the use of continuous cerebral blood flow velocity and end tidal CO2 monitoring in addition to standard heart rate and blood pressure recordings during the testing. Comprised of 100 unique case studies, each case solves a particular clinical question. The presented cases include neurally mediated syncope, psychogenic pseudosyncope, orthostatic intolerance syndromes, autonomic failure, variety of small fiber neuropathies (with and without autoimmunity), autonomic dysfunction in neurodegenerative and hypermobile disorders.

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is currently defined as a 'syndrome', a collection of symptoms for which the root cause has not yet been identified. This book aims to rectify this by arguing the case for POTS being considered a form of neurological injury to the limbic system following an antecedent trauma, such as a viral illness, pregnancy, surgery or psychological trauma (or a combination). Patrick Ussher himself had POTS but recovered by following a limbic system rehabilitation program (originally developed to treat Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) called the Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS). After recovery, he set about mapping the idea of a limbic system impairment onto pre-existing research into POTS and found that it could explain many key findings including: NET protein deficiency (which is responsible for blood vessel constriction problems and resulting elevated heart rate upon standing), low aldosterone and poor sodium retention (which are responsible for low blood volume problems) and mast cell activation problems. This book will simultaneously act as a guide for those interested in using the DNRS as a treatment for POTS and also as a call for further research into the potential efficacy of the DNRS for treating POTS.

This comprehensive book addresses all elements of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and sleep interaction, as well as ANS alterations in sleep and how these impact primary and comorbid sleep dysfunction. It meets the market need for a comprehensive text that deals with ANS changes in sleep and how these impact various neurological, medical, and primary sleep disorders. Organized into three parts, the book begins with a review of the foundational bodily systems that participate in coordination of ANS activity with other homeostatic responses such as respiration, cardiovascular reflexes, and responses to stress. Part two then examines methods of laboratory evaluation and the “why, when, how” of interpreting heart rate variability in sleep. To conclude, the final section of the book broadly covers the many clinical aspects of ANS, including insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, sleep related epilepsy, and acute autonomic neuropathy. Autonomic Nervous System and Sleep enhances the reader's understanding of the pathophysiology of various disorders, and explains how to apply this profound understanding is important to new lines of therapy to improve morbidity.