Hi Friend
Free webinar link below- this evening 13/02/26 745pm uk time, with me on autonomic dysfunction, what is it and we can help!!
For many of us, a diagnosis is rarely a single word. It’s a list. We often start with one symptom—perhaps chronic pain or a racing heart—only to find ourselves in a "medical domino effect."
Today, we are exploring the physiological "glue" that connects many of our conditions: Autonomic Dysfunction. By understanding how these systems interact, we can move away from treating symptoms in isolation and start managing the body as a whole, interconnected system.
The Glitch in the System: What is Dysautonomia?
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) is your body’s mission control. It operates two main branches:
The Sympathetic (SNS): Your "Fight or Flight" response.
The Parasympathetic (PNS): Your "Rest and Digest" response.
In a healthy body, these two branches exist in a delicate balance. In Dysautonomia, the signals are crossed. Most of us find ourselves stuck in a state of "Sympathetic Dominance"—our bodies react to a flight of stairs, a change in temperature, or a minor stressor as if we are facing a life-threatening emergency.
The Interconnected Web: How They Drive Each Other
If you have one of these conditions, you likely have "friends" that came along with it. Doctors often refer to the overlap of hEDS, POTS, and MCAS as the "Trifecta," but for many in our community, Fibromyalgia is the fourth corner of that square. Here is the detailed breakdown of how they are physically linked:
1. hEDS and the "Stretchy Pipe" Problem
In Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, the collagen (the "glue" of the body) is defective. This means your blood vessels are overly stretchy and "floppy." When you stand up, gravity pulls your blood toward your feet. Because the vessels are too stretchy to "squeeze" the blood back up efficiently, the brain sends a panic signal to the heart to work harder.
The Connection: This structural failure in the veins is often the primary driver of POTS.
2. POTS and the Adrenaline Surge
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome isn't just a heart issue; it's a neurological one. Because your blood is pooling in your legs (thanks to hEDS), your heart beats rapidly to keep your brain oxygenated. This keeps you in a constant state of high adrenaline (hyperadrenergic state), which leads to the "wired but tired" feeling, internal tremors, and anxiety that isn't based on thoughts, but on physiology.
3. MCAS: The Chemical Wildcard
Mast Cell Activation Syndrome involves immune cells that "degranulate" (leak chemicals like histamine) far too easily.
The Link to POTS: Histamine is a powerful vasodilator (it opens up blood vessels). When your mast cells flare due to heat, stress, or food, your blood vessels relax even more, causing your blood pressure to drop and your POTS symptoms to skyrocket.
The Link to hEDS: Mast cells live within the connective tissue. When that tissue is "loose" or unstable, the mast cells become more reactive, creating a cycle of systemic inflammation.
4. Fibromyalgia and the "Volume" Control
Fibromyalgia is a disorder of Central Sensitisation—where the nervous system is stuck in a state of "High Volume" pain processing.
The Connection: Living with constant Autonomic Dysfunction (POTS) and chronic chemical irritation (MCAS) keeps the nervous system in a state of high alert. Over time, the brain becomes hyper-reactive to all stimuli—light, sound, and touch—resulting in the widespread, migrating pain and "allodynia" characteristic of Fibro.
Recognising the Systemic Impact
Because the Autonomic Nervous System touches every organ, the symptoms of this "web" are vast and can change daily:
Cardiovascular: Palpitations, fainting, or "coat hanger pain" (aching in the neck and shoulders due to lack of blood flow).
Gastrointestinal: Gastroparesis (slow digestion), severe bloating, or "IBS" symptoms, as the ANS controls gut motility.
Thermoregulation: Inability to tolerate heat, excessive sweating, or ice-cold hands and feet regardless of the weather.
Neurological: Severe brain fog, migraines, and "internal tremors" that feel like your body is vibrating.
Management Strategies: Calming the Storm
When you have these overlapping conditions, management requires a multi-pronged approach rather than just one pill:
Blood Volume Support: For POTS, increasing salt and fluid intake is often the first line of defense to help "fill the tank" of those stretchy hEDS veins.
External Compression: Wearing medical-grade compression helps manually push blood back up to the heart, reducing the load on the Autonomic Nervous System.
Mast Cell Stabilisation: Using H1 and H2 blockers (antihistamines) can often calm the "flares" that make POTS and Fibro pain worse.
Nervous System "Top-Down" Regulation: Techniques like Vagus Nerve stimulation, deep diaphragmatic breathing, and pacing are essential to move the body out of "Fight or Flight" and into "Rest and Digest."
A Final Thought: You are not "crazy," and you are not just "anxious." Your nervous system is navigating an incredibly complex landscape. Be patient with yourself as you learn to read your body’s unique compass.
Webinar link this evening 13/02/26, UK time, just click at 745pm and I will be live https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88339309296
Stay Well
Dr Ahmed
Disclaimer: The contents of this newsletter, such as text, graphics, and images, are for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided in this newsletter is solely at your own risk.
Specifically, regarding POTS and MCAS: Interventions such as increased salt intake, compression, or new antihistamine protocols should only be undertaken under the direct supervision of a licensed medical professional, as these can have contraindications with other conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.
