Dysautonomia: Things That Help and Those That Don't

There are things that someone with dysautonomia can do to try to lessen or avoid symptoms: eat smaller meals, determine if you have any food triggers and work to avoid them, exercise, and getting plenty of restful sleep. Other tricks are: elevating the head of the bed, standing up and start moving slowly, cooling devices (vests, bandanas etc.), don't over schedule yourself, wear layers that can be adjusted according to environment you are in, compression stockings and sport/electrolyte drinks.

Things that don't help

Things that definitely do not help and need to be avoided are stress, sitting still for long periods (especially during travel in car or airplane), some medications that vasodilate or increase heart rate, standing still for long periods, and lifting arms or objects over head. Other situations to avoid are environments that are over stimulating, extreme heat, overworking self or becoming too fatigued, giving blood, vigorous exercise, bending down, climbing stairs, and dehydration. To avoid getting dehydrated it is important for most people to avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Other tests that may help to determine treatment

There are other tests that your doctor can order to try to find appropriate methods of treatment for your symptoms. These include bowel mobility tests- gastric emptying test etc, endoscopy, echocardiogram, stress test, electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), Holter monitor, and 30 day cardiac event monitor. Depending on your symptoms other tests that may also be performed are the 24 hour urinary sodium test, tests to determine blood and plasma volume, catecholamine tests, skin biopsy, sleep study, EEG, and a glucose tolerance test.