Glossary

I hear these phrases all too many times...

"What does that mean?" "Um, yeah - honestly, I don't really understand",  "Huh?" or just a simple "Nod and smile" which essentially means they are confused as heck!

Here is a list you can look at if you ever need/want to understand what something means. I tried to explain these in a simple way so everyone can understand.

{ANS/Autonomic Nervous System}
The area of the nervous system that controls all involuntary bodily functions
(a.k.a- everything you do without conscious control)


{ARS/Autonomic Reflex Screen}
Assesses your autonomic nervous system functions. It includes a variety of tests that assesses blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, sweating, and more.

{BP}

Abbreviation for Blood Pressure

{Bradycardia}

An abnormally low heart rate

{Brain Fog}

A state of mental confusion including forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating

{Connective Tissue}
The material inside your body that supports many of its parts. It is the “glue” that gives your tissues their shape and helps keep them strong.

{Diastolic}

The bottom number of you blood pressure

{Dysautonomia}

Dysautonomia is simply the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system. 

Everything in your body that is controlled without your knowledge, is done by your autonomic nervous system. Failure in this area leads to failure/loss of control of vital functions: heart rate, blood pressure, urination, gastrointestinal, sweating, pupil dilation, breathing, and more.

{EDS/Ehlers Danlos Syndrome}

A connective tissue disorder caused by a defect in the collagen (a protein in connective tissue)

**There are many subtypes of EDS, most commonly type III - hyper-mobility type**
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION


{EMG/Electromyography}
Checks the health of muscles and the nerves that control the muscles, by inserting tiny needles into the muscle with a slight electrical activity given.

{HMS/Hyper-Mobility Syndrome}

Another commonly used acronym which has the same meaning as EDS type III

{Hypertension}

High Blood Pressure

**130/90 or higher**

{Hypotension}

Abnormally Low Blood Pressure

**90/60 or lower**

{Hypovolemia}
A decrease of blood volume (total blood supply) in the body

{NCV/Nerve Conduction Velocity}
Tests the speed of electrical signals through a nerve. This is done by sending an "electrical like shock" that stimulates your nerves.

{Neurocardiogenic Syncope}

Also known as NCS; A vasovagal response that is triggered by the vagus nerve, which leads to syncope (fainting)

**also referred to as vasovagal syncope**

{Orthostatic}

A standing position of the body

{Orthostatic Hypotension}

Abnormally Low Blood Pressure that occurs upon a standing position

same as postural hypotension

{Orthostatic Intolerance}

Also known as OI, refers to an onset of symptoms upon a standing position and is a form of Dysautonomia

This definition (word usage) can be rather confusing, as symptoms don't always happen just upon a  standing position - and OI also includes a large number of other symptoms

**this can be used interchangeably with POTS**

{Postural}

A position of the body (ex: lying, sitting, or standing)