Dysautonomia and Kids

by | Oct 22, 2024 | Pediatric Chiro Care, Chiropractor Care, Natural Care

If you’ve found yourself here, it’s likely because you’re navigating a path you never expected. Your child may be struggling with chronic challenges like seizures, insomnia, anxiety, depression, constipation, or autoimmune disorders such as PANS or PANDAS. You’re not alone in this struggle, and today, we want to shine a light on a condition that might be the missing piece of your child’s health puzzle: dysautonomia.

The Hidden Epidemic

We are witnessing a profound surge in chronic health challenges among teens and young adults. Anxiety and depression rates are soaring, and an alarming number of adolescents are grappling with poor gut health, autoimmune disorders, and even seizures. For parents, watching their child struggle through these challenges can be overwhelming, often leaving them feeling powerless.

Unfortunately, conventional medicine frequently falls short, offering little more than a mix of medications that merely suppress symptoms. Many of the teens and young adults we encounter are taking three, four, five, or even six different prescriptions, only to experience side effects that make them feel worse. The reality is that these medications rarely address the root causes of their health issues.

Dysautonomia:  How it’s connected

What if we told you that there’s a common thread tying these seemingly unrelated conditions together? It’s called dysautonomia – a dysfunction and imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. Understanding dysautonomia could be the key to unlocking your child’s path to better health and improved quality of life.

What is Dysautonomia?

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls all of our body’s automatic functions, like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. It’s made up of two main branches:

  1. The sympathetic nervous system (our “fight or flight” response)
  2. The parasympathetic nervous system (our “rest and digest” mode)

These two systems were created to work together seamlessly to maintain balance. However, in dysautonomia, this delicate balance is disrupted, leading to a wide range of symptoms that can affect nearly every body system.

The Two Main Problems of Dysautonomia

  1. Sympathetic Overdrive: The “fight or flight” system gets stuck in the “on” position.
  2. Parasympathetic Suppression: The “rest, relax, and regulate” side of the nervous system gets suppressed and shut down.

Because the ANS controls so many major physiological systems and functions in the body, problems start to show up all over, often in a specific sequence:

  1. Sleep: Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep, leading to fatigue, exhaustion, and brain fog.
  2. Digestion: The gut and digestive system require a lot of energy and focus from the nervous system. When stuck in “fight or flight” mode, the body diverts energy away from digestion, leading to various gut issues.
  3. Immune function and inflammation: A chronic state of stress leaves the body in a constant state of inflammation and suppressed immune function.
  4. Brain health: When dysautonomia is in full effect, mental, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive capacities are significantly affected.

The “Perfect Storm”: Understanding the Origins of Dysautonomia

Dysautonomia doesn’t develop overnight. It’s often the result of a “Perfect Storm” of factors that can include:

  1. Prenatal stress and anxiety
  2. Birth trauma or interventions
  3. Early childhood stressors
  4. Environmental toxins
  5. Poor nutrition
  6. Chronic infections

Recognizing these factors can help us understand why your child might be experiencing these challenges and guide us in creating a comprehensive healing approach.

Taking Charge of Your Child’s Health

As a parent, you have more power than you might realize to help your child overcome these challenges. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Be Aware of the Signs: Be aware of the symptoms of dysautonomia and how they might manifest in your child. Look for patterns in sleep disturbances, digestive issues, anxiety, and other seemingly unrelated symptoms.
  2. Seek Care: Traditional medical tests often miss dysautonomia. There is no valid medical testing for dysautonomia, just as there’s no test for the supposed “chemical imbalance” theory behind conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression. This is why conventional medicine often misses it 99% of the time. Look for healthcare providers who use Neurological INSiGHT Scans, specifically Heart Rate Variability (HRV) testing. These scans can detect patterns and evidence of dysautonomia and nervous system dysregulation.
  3. Explore Holistic Approaches: Consider Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care, which addresses the root cause of dysautonomia and helps balance the nervous system. This approach has shown remarkable results in helping teens and young adults regain their health and vitality.
  4. Support Your Child’s Nervous System: Implement stress-reduction techniques, ensure proper nutrition, and create a sleep-friendly environment. Remember, every positive step helps in rebalancing the autonomic nervous system.
  5. Be Patient and Persistent: Healing takes time. Celebrate small victories and keep moving forward. Your child’s nervous system has likely been out of balance for some time, so be patient as it learns to function optimally again.
  6. Educate and Empower Yourself: The more you understand about dysautonomia and the autonomic nervous system, the better equipped you’ll be to support your child’s healing journey.

Hope for the Future

Parents, don’t let dysautonomia and chronic health conditions hold your child and family back from anything at all. Thousands of parents and patients every single day are finding hope, answers, and drug-free holistic action steps with Neurologically-Focused Chiropractic Care.

At 3T Family Chiropractic in Olathe, Kansas, our incredible care starts with a consultation and case history, where we ask questions and dive deeper than any doctor ever has to find the real root cause of your teen’s chronic health challenges. Then, we run the INSiGHT Scans to test for dysautonomia, nervous system dysregulation, and more – a process that takes just 15-20 minutes but can absolutely transform your understanding of what’s really going on with your child’s health struggles.

After gathering this vital information, we sit down knee-to-knee at our Report of Findings visit, show you the scan findings, explain everything, and go over your child’s Customized Care Plan. This comprehensive approach ensures that we’re not just treating symptoms, but addressing the root cause of your child’s health challenges.  So please don’t wait, reach out to us today! If you are not local to us, check out the PX Docs directory to find an office near you.

Remember, you are your child’s best advocate. By understanding dysautonomia and taking proactive steps, you can help your child not just survive, but thrive!

At 3T Family Chiropractic, we are dedicated to providing you and your family with personalized chiropractic care.

Request your initial visit with us today by simply clicking the button below.