Watch: [Understanding Your Body] Autonomic Nervous System

⭐English subtitles available⭐

 

 

It is late at night, and you hear footsteps following you in a dark alley.

 

Your palms start to sweat, your heart races, and your mouth goes dry.

 

In frightening and unsettling situations, our bodies undergo various changes.

 

This is due to the autonomic nervous system.

 

The autonomic nervous system (ANS), named for its function beyond our conscious control

Let's take a closer look at the functions it performs in our body.

 

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for autonomously regulating functions in our body,

such as hormone secretion, blood circulation, breathing, digestion, and excretion,

helping to maintain homeostasis.

These functions are reflexive and unconscious, so we are unaware of them.

 

Branching from the diencephalon, brainstem, and spinal cord below the cerebrum

to various internal organs and blood vessels,

the autonomic nervous system can be divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerve systems.

So, how does this autonomic nervous system respond?

 

Like other nerves, signals are transmitted by neurotransmitters, which trigger the body to move.

 

These neurotransmitters transmit signals through the synapse, the space between nerves,

and reach receptors, where they exert their effects.

 

In fearful or emergency situations, the sympathetic nerve system prepares the body

for quick and strong responses, optimizing our physical state to handle any threat.

 

When the sympathetic nervous system is activated, it stimulates the heart muscle,

increasing the heart rate, and constricts blood vessels, raising blood pressure,

which in turn increases blood flow to the brain, heart, and muscles.

 

It also relaxes the bronchi, allowing more oxygen to enter the body,

increases sweat production for the skin to feel cool and moist, and dilates the pupils.

 

Additionally, it breaks down glycogen stored in the liver to raise blood sugar levels

and suppresses blood flow to the digestive system, slowing down digestive function.

 

The parasympathetic nerve system is activated in calm, stress-free situations,

preserving as much energy as possible by minimizing the body’s energy use.

 

The parasympathetic nerve system relaxes the body

and speeds up digestive responses to facilitate the body to stabilize in comfort,

and helps conserve and store energy.

 

In other words, it returns the body from a tense state to its normal, resting state.

 

It lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate below normal,

increases the activity of the digestive system,

stimulates the secretion of digestive fluids and saliva, and constricts the pupils.

 

When we see delicious food and our mouth waters, feel comforted when loved,

become sleepy after eating, or experience mental and physical relaxation during meditation or rest,

it is because the parasympathetic nervous system is activated.

 

Health problems caused by autonomic nervous system dysfunction can occur in anyone.

 

Common symptoms include feeling sluggish, difficulty getting up,

cold hands and feet, and dizziness or headache upon standing.

 

Other possible symptoms may include easy fatigue, heart palpitation,

insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.

 

These symptoms are often triggered by excessive stress or physical exhaustion.

 

These symptoms can be relieved by reducing stress,

getting enough rest, and receiving counseling or medication if necessary.