Autonomic Disorders

Autonomic disorders describe any disease of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system controls a number of functions in the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure and digestive tract.

In many cases, autonomic disorders are considered a functional condition, meaning there is no explanation for the pain. It usually is caused by the nervous system in the intestines. Children with functional autonomic disorders have symptoms of dizziness, lack of energy or fainting that can go on for years without proper diagnosis.

The Center for Pediatric Neurogastroenterology, Motility and Autonomic Disorders has one of the few state-of-the-art pediatric autonomic laboratories in the country to help diagnose a child with this condition. Our team of experts include an autonomic neurologist, physical therapist, sleep specialist, gastroenterologist and cardiologists. 

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is an autonomic disorder commonly diagnosed in teenagers. POTS has different symptoms but some of the most common are dizziness, migraines, sleep problems, extreme lack of energy, gastrointestinal complaints (nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain), aches and pains all over the body that happen after an acute illness. An acute illness is caused by viruses that go away by themselves or with medical treatment.