Have you ever felt like your body just isn’t following the rules anymore? Your heart races while you’re resting, standing feels like climbing a mountain, your digestion is off, and brain fog clouds your thoughts—yet your tests keep coming back “normal.” If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with something called Dysautonomia.
And you’re not alone.
Dysautonomia affects an estimated 70 million people worldwide, yet it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and dismissed. For many of us walking a diverse healing path—especially those recovering from breast implant illness, COVID-19, toxic exposures, or the slow build-up of stress from chemicals, GMOs, and processed food—this condition feels like the invisible thread tying it all together.
In this post, I want to demystify Dysautonomia, share how it might arise from hidden or overlooked causes, and offer a hope-filled holistic roadmap toward healing.
What Is Dysautonomia, Really?
At its core, Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)—the part of your body that runs the show behind the scenes: heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, digestion, even pupil size. When this system is off, the “automatic” parts of your body stop syncing properly.
There are many types of dysautonomia (like POTS, neurocardiogenic syncope, and more), but they all share this common thread: the body is struggling to maintain internal balance. Symptoms vary wildly from person to person, which is part of why it’s so hard to diagnose.
Signs Your ANS Might Be Struggling
Here are some of the most common dysautonomia symptoms—though not everyone will experience all of them:
If you’ve felt like “something is off” in your body for years, especially after a major stressor, keep reading.
What Causes Dysautonomia? (Let’s Look Deeper)
While genetics and autoimmunity can play a role, many of us who walk the natural healing path know that environmental and life stressors often push our systems into overload. Here are some of the major contributors I see:
1. Breast Implant Illness (BII)
For some women, silicone or saline breast implants act like a slow-burn trigger to the immune system. Over time, this can create autoimmune responses that affect the nervous system—especially the ANS. Studies now show that women with unexplained neurological symptoms (including dysautonomia) may have autoantibodies that target their autonomic nerve receptors. Many women report improvements in symptoms after explant surgery.
2. COVID-19 (and Long COVID)
Post-COVID dysautonomia is very real. Many people, especially women, are being diagnosed with POTS or other forms of dysautonomia following COVID infection. The virus appears to trigger neuroinflammation and immune system shifts that linger long after the acute phase.
3. Toxins in Our Environment
Chronic exposure to heavy metals, mold, pesticides, and solvents can slowly damage or inflame the nerves that regulate your autonomic functions. Even common exposures—like cleaning products or old water pipes—can build up and create chaos in sensitive systems.
4. Processed Foods, GMOs & Artificial Additives
Your nervous system is deeply influenced by what you eat. Aspartame, MSG, food dyes, and emulsifiers can overstimulate or confuse nerve receptors. Some people with dysautonomia find major relief by eating clean, organic, and additive-free—especially avoiding glyphosate-heavy GMO products.
Diagnosing Dysautonomia (Hint: It’s Not in Your Head)
Most people with dysautonomia spend years—yes, years—being told it’s anxiety or “just stress.” Why? Because the symptoms are so diverse, and the testing often requires specialized equipment or expertise.
If you suspect dysautonomia, consider:
If your doctor doesn’t know what these are, consider bringing printouts or asking for a referral to a dysautonomia-aware provider.
Holistic Healing: Gentle But Powerful
Here’s the part I love most—hope and healing are possible. While conventional medicine can offer helpful tools (like beta blockers or IV fluids), a holistic approach helps you reclaim power and support the root systems involved.
Here’s where to start:
1. Detox Your Life (Gently)
2. Eat for Nervous System Repair
3. Key Supplements
4. Nervous System Reset
5. Track, Don’t Judge
Progress may be slow, but healing is not linear. Use a journal or app to track symptoms, nutrition, and triggers. Celebrate even the tiniest wins: “I stood for 3 minutes longer today” is worth gold.
Words of Encouragement
If you’re navigating dysautonomia, please know:
On this diverse healing path, we don’t rush—we realign. Whether you’re recovering from implants, COVID, mold, or years of burnout, your nervous system can heal. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it.
You’re not alone, and there’s always a path forward. Let’s walk it together.