Our body's autopilot: Let's learn about the autonomic nervous system.

Have you ever wondered how your breathing stops, your heart beats, or your food digests without you even thinking about it? Today we are going to talk about an amazing 'autopilot', or automatic system in our body that controls all of this. In medicine, we call this the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) . This system is constantly working, both when we are asleep and when we are awake. In fact, we live because of this system.

Simply put, what is the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

Okay, let's understand this this way. Our entire nervous system is divided into two main parts. One is the Central Nervous System (CNS) . That is, our brain and spinal cord. All the other nerves belong to the Peripheral Nervous System .

This peripheral nervous system is again divided into two parts:

1. Somatic system: This is what controls the things we do intentionally . For example, picking up a cup, walking, and talking.

2. Autonomic system: This is the system that controls things that happen automatically without us even thinking about them . Things like heartbeat, breathing, sweating, and digestion.

So, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) that we're talking about today has three main parts. They are the Sympathetic , Parasympathetic , and Enteric systems. These three are like a team that works together.

The 'Accelerator' and the 'Brake': Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Systems

The best way to understand how these two systems work is to think of them as the accelerator and brake of a car. These two work in opposition to each other, maintaining balance, or homeostasis , in our body.

1. Sympathetic system: the body's 'accelerator'

This is what controls our body's "Fight-or-Flight" response. That is, the system that prepares the body in case of danger, fear, or stress.

Imagine, you're walking down the street and suddenly a dog jumps out at you. You get scared. What happens then?

• The heart rate increases.
• The pupil of the eye becomes larger.
• Breathing is getting faster.
• The saliva is sitting.
• More blood flows to the muscles to prepare for running or fighting.

All of this is done in seconds by the sympathetic system using neurotransmitters like epinephrine .

2. Parasympathetic system: The body's 'brake'

This is what controls our body's "Rest-and-Digest" response. That is, when the emergency is over, the body returns to a calm, normal state and controls the processes needed while we are at rest.

After that dog leaves, you slowly calm down.

• The heart rate returns to normal.
• Breathing is calming.
• The digestion process begins again.
• The body becomes lighter.

This 'calming' is done by the Parasympathetic system.

3. Enteric System: The 'Second Brain' of Our Gut

This one is a little special. The enteric system is a huge network of nerves that runs along our entire digestive tract (from mouth to anus), with over 100 million nerves. It’s like a little brain that’s specific to the intestines and can make its own decisions. Its main job is to control the digestion and absorption of nutrients . Sometimes this system works according to signals from the other two systems (Sympathetic and Parasympathetic), but it can also work on its own.

What are the signs of a problem with this system?

Because this autonomic nervous system is spread throughout the body, if there is any damage or dysfunction in it (doctors call this Autonomic Neuropathy ), symptoms can appear in different parts of the body. Not everyone will experience the same symptoms.

Some common symptoms include:

• Dizziness and fainting, especially when standing up
• Palpitations (heart beating fast for no reason)
• Constipation or inability to control bowel movements
• Difficulty swallowing food
• Difficulty breathing
• Sweating problems (either excessive sweating or no sweating)
• Urinary problems (difficulty passing urine or inability to control it)
• Sexual dysfunction
• Unresponsiveness of the pupil to light

If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. Be sure to see your doctor and talk about it.

Diseases that can damage the autonomic nervous system

The main cause of damage to this system is uncontrolled diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes) . High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can damage the delicate nerves.

In addition, there are other reasons:

• Guillan-Barre Syndrome: This is a condition in which the immune system attacks its own nerves.
• Amyloidosis: Nerve damage caused by abnormal deposits of certain proteins in the body.
• Infections: Some viral and bacterial infections (e.g. HIV, Lyme disease) can damage nerves.
• Drug and alcohol abuse: These can directly damage the nervous system.
• Toxins: Exposure to toxins such as heavy metals.
• Trauma: Damage, especially to the spinal cord, can severely affect the functioning of this system.
• Cancer: Some cancerous or non-cancerous tumors can cause problems by pressing on nerves.

Autonomic Nervous System, nervous system, brain, fight or flight, diabetes, neurological diseases