Sympatheticotonia

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In sympathicotonia (synonym: ergotropy ), the balance or tension (Latin: tone = tension) between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves is shifted in favor of the sympathetic nervous system . The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are parts of the autonomic nervous system . The opposite of sympatheticotonia is vagotonia .

Physiological basics

When exposed to stress stimuli, the sympathetic system activates all emergency functions of the organism, which make it more ready for action: pulse and blood pressure rise, the blood glucose level rises in order to tap into a quickly available source of energy, the level of alertness is increased. Once the situation is over, the parasympathetic nervous system gains excess weight: the pulse and blood pressure slow down, and the glucose circulating in the blood drops again. The organism is switched to rest to ensure recovery for future events.

In the wide range of fluctuations between “normal” and “healthy”, one or the other component often predominates in individual individuals. The sympathetic is constantly at a slightly increased level of readiness to react, while the vagotonic needs stronger stimuli to activate the emergency functions of the sympathetic nervous system. The property of regulating sympathetically or vagotonically is constitutionally determined.

It can also be influenced: Regular endurance sport changes the response of the organism permanently in the direction of vagotonia. Medicines can also change the constitutional balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, at least as long as the active ingredient is active in the body.

Clinical references

Sympathomimetics have a stimulating effect on the sympathetic nervous system, e.g. B. Substances of the caffeine or phenethylamine type. They are used for asthma , runny nose , hemostasis , increased blood pressure or shock treatment ( adrenaline , etilefrine ). The group of sympatholytics , i.e. substances that inhibit or completely prevent the sympathetic nervous system or individual areas of activity, has the opposite effect . The sympathetic nervous system acts in the body through two large groups of receptors, the alpha and beta receptors. The latter, in particular, are more frequently targeted by drugs, the beta blockers . They reduce the heart's ability to absorb stimuli from the sympathetic nervous system and thus change the reaction situation in the direction of vagotonia. This is particularly desirable in the case of angina pectoris , tachycardia or impending heart attack .

Sympathicotonia and vagotonia are not pathological states, but rather describe the opposite endpoints in the regulatory area of ​​the autonomic nervous system of healthy individuals. However, there are a number of everyday complaints that are known to be associated with these types of reactions. Sympathetic people blush easily, have slightly shaky hands, often sweaty, fast pulse and tend to be more excitable. You can therefore react excessively to environmental stimuli. Vagotonic sufferers, on the other hand, often feel dull and lackluster, have cold hands and feet, and often dizziness (which can be quickly eliminated through physical activity) up to syncope .