What is autonomic dysregulation?
Short answer
Autonomic dysregulation means the nervous system is having trouble managing automatic functions — heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow, digestion, temperature — smoothly, especially with changes in position or activity.
More detail
The autonomic nervous system runs background processes without conscious effort. When it becomes dysregulated — after concussion, chronic stress, prolonged illness, or in some complex cases — patients can experience light-headedness with standing, heart rate spikes, temperature regulation problems, gut symptoms, and post-activity crashes.
Treatment usually combines graded activity, hydration and electrolyte strategy, sleep and circadian support, and specific reconditioning of the autonomic responses that are underperforming.
Common symptoms or examples
- Light-headedness when standing
- Heart racing with mild exertion or position change
- Trouble regulating temperature
- Post-activity crashes
- Digestive irregularity
When evaluation may be appropriate
Persistent light-headedness, exercise intolerance, or unexplained fluctuations in energy after concussion, illness, or injury are worth evaluating.
This information is educational and general in nature. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and it does not describe every possible cause of a symptom. Individual evaluation is required to determine what applies to any specific case.
Related service
Adjunctive Recovery Support
For patients whose recovery from injury, concussion, migraine, or cognitive change is slower or more complicated than expected.
Learn more about Adjunctive Recovery Support