What aspect of the autonomic nervous system is affected by dysautonomia?

Dysautonomia refers to a disorder of the autonomic nervous system, which encompasses both its sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions. This condition can lead to a variety of symptoms that arise from dysfunction in the body’s automatic processes, such as heart rate, blood pressure regulation, digestion, and various reflexes.

By affecting both divisions of the autonomic nervous system, dysautonomia can disrupt the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic responses. The sympathetic division is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, while the parasympathetic division manages "rest and digest" functions. Since dysautonomia can manifest through symptoms that indicate impairment in either or both of these systems, understanding that it impacts both divisions is critical in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively.