Which division of the nervous system calms the body after an emergency has passed?
What Is the Autonomic Nervous System?The autonomic nervous system is a network of nerves that regulates unconscious body processes. The autonomic system is the part of the peripheral nervous system responsible for regulating involuntary body functions, such as heartbeat, blood flow, breathing, and digestion. Show
Because of this, the autonomic nervous system is also sometimes known by another name: the involuntary nervous system This system is further divided into three branches: the sympathetic system, the parasympathetic system, and the enteric nervous system.
How the Autonomic Nervous System WorksThe autonomic nervous system operates by receiving information from the environment and from other parts of the body. The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems tend to have opposing actions in which one system will trigger a response whereas the other will inhibit it. Traditionally, stimulation has been thought to take place through the sympathetic system, while inhibition was thought to occur via the parasympathetic system. However many exceptions to this have been found. Today, the sympathetic system is viewed as a quickly responding system that mobilizes the body for action where the parasympathetic system is believed to act much more slowly to dampen responses. For example, the sympathetic nervous system will act to raise blood pressure while the parasympathetic nervous system will act to lower it. The two systems work in conjunction to manage the body’s responses depending upon the situation and need. If, for example, you are facing a threat and need to flee, the sympathetic system will quickly mobilize your body to take action. Once the threat has passed, the parasympathetic system will then start to dampen these responses, slowly returning your body to its normal, resting state. Autonomic Nervous System Functions Internal organs regulated by the autonomic nervous system include the heart, blood vessels, stomach, intestine,
liver, bladder, lungs, pupils, genitals, digestive glands, and kidneys. The autonomic system controls a variety of internal processes, including:
Neurotransmitters in the Autonomic Nervous SystemThe autonomic nerve pathways connect different organs to the brain stem or spinal cord. There are also two key neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, that are important for communication within the autonomic nervous system:
Autonomic DisordersWhen the parasympathetic and sympathetic components of the autonomic nervous systems become out of sync, people can experience an autonomic disorder, also called dysautonomia. There are numerous types of autonomic disorders, each with its own unique set of symptoms, including:
These disorders can occur alone. However, they can also be caused by other conditions that disrupt the autonomic nervous system, including:
RecapDamage to the autonomic nervous system can be caused by chronic health conditions, aging, infections, or traumatic injuries. Symptoms of Autonomic DisordersIf you or someone you love is experiencing disruptions in the autonomic nervous system, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms. Some people experience one cluster of symptoms at one time, and another set of symptoms at other times. The symptoms can be fleeting and unpredictable or triggered by specific situations or actions, like after ingesting certain foods or after standing up quickly.
Diagnosis and TreatmentDiagnosis of an autonomic disorder requires a doctor's evaluation, which may include a physical examination, recording blood pressure when the patient is both lying down and standing, testing of the sweat response, and an electrocardiogram. Diagnosing an autonomic disorder is often tricky since both the physical exam and laboratory tests can come back normal. If you suspect that you might have some type of autonomic disorder, it's important to find a healthcare provider who doesn't dismiss your symptoms as "all in your head," and who is willing to take the prolonged trial-and-error to diagnose and treat your condition. There is currently no "cure," however, depending on the type of autonomic disorder, there are ways to treat the symptoms. Strategies that can help prevent autonomic nervous system conditions include:
A Word From VerywellThe autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the human body, controlling many of the body's automatic processes. This system also helps prepare the body to cope with stress and threats, as well as returning the body to a resting state afterward. Learning more about this part of the nervous system can give you a better understanding of the processes that underlie many human behaviors and responses. Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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By Kendra Cherry
Thanks for your feedback! What part of the nervous system is used in emergency situations?Your sympathetic nervous system is best known for its role in responding to dangerous or stressful situations. In these situations, your sympathetic nervous system activates to speed up your heart rate, deliver more blood to areas of your body that need more oxygen or other responses to help your get out of danger.
What division of the nervous system acts in times of emergency?Generally, the sympathetic division does the following: Prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations—fight or flight.
Which part of the nervous system can help someone calm down?The parasympathetic nervous system is part of the body's autonomic nervous system. Its partner is the sympathetic nervous system, which control's the body's fight or flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system controls the body's ability to relax. It's sometimes called the "rest and digest" state.
Which type of the nervous system assists the body to react in an emergency situation?The autonomic nervous system
One of its main roles is to regulate glands and organs without any effort from our conscious minds. The autonomic nervous system is made up of two parts: the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. These systems act on the body in opposite ways.
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