dysautonomia

[dis-aw-tuh-noh-mee-uh]

noun

Pathology.

1. a rare inherited disorder of the autonomic nervous system, occurring mostly in Ashkenazic Jews, characterized by lack of reflexes, abnormal sweating, defective lacrimation and sense perceptions, emotional instability, and motor incoordination.

Word History and Origins

Origin of dysautonomia¹

1970–75; dys- + Greek autonomía autonomy

Example Sentences

She has also developed dysautonomia, a condition affecting her nervous system, that can cause her to faint.

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She has also been diagnosed with dysautonomia, which Garrard described as an issue that affects communication between her brain and heart that has left her dangerously lightheaded and led to multiple falls, including down stairs.

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This so-called dysautonomia can lead to dizziness, a racing heart, high or low blood pressure, and gut disturbances, sometimes leaving people unable to work or even function independently.

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Dysautonomia impairs the autonomic nervous system, a network of nerves that branch out from the brain or spinal cord and extend through the body, controlling unconscious functions such as heartbeat, breathing, sweating and blood vessel dilation.

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For Ghormley, like many people with long COVID, dysautonomia takes the form of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS.

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