Role of the Autonomic Nervous System
Involuntary Homeostatic Controls Regulate Our Health!
The autonomic nervous system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis within the body. The actions of the ANS occur independent of our consciousness, as these involuntary functions (such as breathing and heart contractions) are required for survival.
Sensory nerve fibers relay information from the organs and bodily functions to the brain, namely the hypothalamus, brainstem, and spinal cord. Then the ANS responds by sending signals through the motor neurons to the involuntary smooth muscles of organs and blood vessels, cardiac muscle, and glandular tissues.
The ANS has two divisions that work to counteract each other and keep the body in balance. The sympathetic division is responsible for the “fight or flight” response and prepares the body for physical exertion while the parasympathetic division calms the body down and is the “rest and digest” state of being.
The sympathetic division causes the dilation of pupils and lung blood vessels, the heart rate increases, adrenal glands produce cortisol, adrenaline, and other stress hormones, the liver releases glucose for quick energy, sweat glands increase secretion, and the intestines slow down digestion. These actions all prime the body to exert great energy fighting or running away from danger.
If the body does not return to a parasympathetic state, the body will suffer from over stimulation and you may experience increased risk for heart conditions, depressed immune function, poor digestion and nutritional deficiencies, and eventually you will exhaust your adrenals and develop chronic fatigue.
The parasympathetic nervous system counteracts the actions of the sympathetic nervous system by constricting the pupils, decreasing heart rate, storing glucose in the liver, the pancreas and stomach secrete digestive enzymes, peristalsis increases, and sexual organs are stimulated.
Together these divisions of the autonomic nervous system maintain constant conditions within the body and are critical for keeping us alive. Keeping these systems functioning well will support you as you reach optimal health.
Tags: adrenals, ans, chronic fatigue, nervous system
