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If you've visited multiple hospitals for heart palpitations, dizziness, and chronic fatigue but only hear "test results are normal," it may be time to consider the concept of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is a state in which the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems breaks down, causing various symptoms across the entire body affecting the heart, digestion, sleep, and body temperature. As pointed out in HiDoc expert columns, the key characteristic of this condition is that actual symptoms persist even when tests show no abnormalities. The reason a comprehensive diagnostic approach that looks at the entire symptom cluster is needed is that it is difficult to identify the cause with a single organ test alone.
If You Ask About Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Gangbuk and Suyu — Start With This
According to Wikipedia's article on autonomic nervous system dysfunction, autonomic nervous system dysfunction (dysautonomia) refers to a state in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) fails to function properly and affects the overall function of the heart, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, eyes, and blood vessels. The range of symptoms varies widely depending on the degree of dysfunction, from mild levels with almost no symptoms to severe levels that make daily life difficult.
The autonomic nervous system manages basic physiological activities such as heart rate, respiration, digestion, and body temperature maintenance through the balance of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. When this balance breaks, abnormal signals appear in both body and mind. It is more accurate to understand the term "autonomic nervous system dysfunction" not as a single disease name but as a concept encompassing multiple symptom clusters resulting from autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
▪ The characteristic is that symptoms appear simultaneously in multiple systems such as the heart, digestion, sleep, and body temperature. ▪ Symptoms may actually exist even when test results come back normal. ▪ You must distinguish between organic (structural) causes and functional (stress-related) causes, as this determines the subsequent approach.
Why It Occurs and What Symptoms Appear — Mechanism and Symptom Organization by System
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is broadly divided into primary and secondary types. Primary type occurs due to genetic and degenerative neurological diseases, while secondary type is when the autonomic nervous system is damaged due to acquired causes such as diabetic autonomic neuropathy, autoimmune autonomic neuropathy, small fiber neuropathy, and post-COVID-19 sequelae (Long COVID). According to PubMed PMC12234583 (Dysautonomia: a common comorbidity of systemic disease), the most commonly encountered types in clinical practice are postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), neurally mediated syncope (NCS), and orthostatic hypotension (OH), and it is reported that these are often incorrectly classified as psychiatric conditions.
Among modern people, functional causes are particularly common. Chronic stress can continuously stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), inducing chronic hyperactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, and if this state continues for a long period, parasympathetic nervous system activity decreases and heart rate variability (HRV) decreases, which can lead to various bodily dysfunction.
Referencing the symptoms organized by system in BioTimes reporting, the following is provided:
| System | Main Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Circulatory | Heart palpitations, dizziness upon standing, blood pressure fluctuations |
| Digestive | Indigestion, heartburn, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome symptoms, bile stagnation |
| Sleep | Sleep initiation disorder (difficulty falling asleep), frequent awakenings during sleep |
| Mental/Neurological | Chronic fatigue, lethargy, anxiety and depression |
| Body Temperature/Sweating | Hyperhidrosis or decreased sweating, cold extremities |
If the sympathetic nervous system continues to be hyperactive, prolonged heart palpitations, excessive sweating, and muscle tension may occur, and if the parasympathetic nervous system does not function adequately, digestion, immunity, and sleep functions all decline together. Distinguishing between organic causes such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases and functional causes first is the first step in determining the treatment direction.
How Korean Medicine Views and Approaches Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction
Korean Medicine's Understanding — The Perspective of Qi-Blood and Five Organs Six Bowels
According to HiDoc expert columns, the fundamental problem of autonomic nervous system dysfunction lies in reduced nervous system recovery capacity, making natural recovery impossible, and Korean medicine understands this as deficiency of qi-blood (氣血) and dysfunction of the five organs and six bowels. Rather than viewing the autonomic nervous system independently, the characteristic of Korean medicine diagnosis is to examine together the state of the brain and connected organs from which the autonomic nervous system originates.
Treatment Flow by Stage
▪ Stage 1 — Diagnosis and Pattern Differentiation Understanding the location, nature, and aggravating conditions of symptoms, constitutional diagnosis through eight-constitution medicine and pattern differentiation (辨證) are used to establish the individual's bodily condition. The treatment direction varies according to constitution and pattern differentiation, so this stage determines the precision of subsequent treatment.
▪ Stage 2 — Acupuncture and Pharmacopuncture Treatment Acupuncture stimulation transmits signals to the brainstem and hypothalamus through peripheral nerves and participates in regulating the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves. Clinical data shows accumulating reports that acupuncture stimulation can promote parasympathetic nervous system activation and affect HRV values. Pharmacopuncture is a method that directly injects herbal medicine components into acupoints to achieve the effects of both acupuncture and herbal medicine simultaneously.
▪ Stage 3 — Herbal Medicine Prescription After pattern differentiation, formulas such as Gui Pi Tang (歸脾湯), Wen Dan Tang (溫膽湯), and Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan (天王補心丹) are used in cases accompanied by mental and emotional unease, sleep disturbances, and decreased digestive function, with prescriptions adjusted according to symptom changes.
▪ Stage 4 — Progress Confirmation and Adjustment Initially, visits 2-3 times per week focus on acute symptom relief, and once symptoms stabilize, transition to weekly visits to maintain function and reduce the risk of recurrence.
At Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic, based on constitutional diagnosis grounded in eight-constitution medicine, customized prescriptions on a weekly basis allow patient symptom changes to be confirmed every week and treatment direction to be carefully adjusted. Given the characteristic of autonomic nervous system dysfunction with large fluctuations in symptoms, prescriptions must be flexibly adjusted according to progress.
Test Results Are Normal, But Could My Symptoms Be Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction?
Self-Check Checklist
Mark the items below that apply to you.
▪ Heart palpitations without clear reason or chest tightness ▪ Difficulty falling asleep or frequent awakenings, and feeling tired even after sleep ▪ Poor digestion and alternating constipation and diarrhea ▪ Frequent coldness and numbness in hands and feet ▪ Sudden sweating or cold sweats ▪ Unexplained dizziness or recurring headaches ▪ Frequent feelings of anxiety and restlessness ▪ Persistent chronic fatigue and lethargy ▪ Sudden facial flushing or poor temperature regulation ▪ Decreased concentration and feeling of impaired memory
According to relevant clinical data, if five or more of the above items apply and organic disease has been ruled out first, the possibility of autonomic nervous system dysfunction can be seriously considered. A pattern in which multiple system symptoms appear simultaneously, worsen under stress, test results are normal but symptoms persist, is typical of this condition.
Cases Requiring Caution
As pointed out in Kyosu Newspaper health columns, persistent anxiety and palpitations can lead to anxiety disorder and panic disorder, and autonomic nervous system dysfunction and panic disorder have many overlapping symptoms and can influence each other. If this condition is left unaddressed, it can become chronic as depression, insomnia, chronic fatigue, and somatization disorder, so early examination is recommended. If you have diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, or autoimmune disease, management by the relevant medical department should be prioritized.
Suitability for treatment is determined after consultation.
Residents of Mia, Bundong, Ssangmun, Dobong, and Nowon can also access the location on foot from Exit 3 of Suyu Station, and car visits are convenient if you use the parking lot in the nearby Garden Tower (Dobong-ro 328).
Why Your Body's Signals Must Be Examined Before It's Too Late
Gangbuk Anjeong Korean Medicine Clinic opens its doors from 8 a.m. on 365 days of the year near Exit 3 of Suyu Station, and you can book your visit time in advance through Naver Booking, making it convenient for busy office workers to visit without burden.
As emphasized in HiDoc expert columns, autonomic nervous system dysfunction is not simply a stress response but a medical condition requiring treatment, and the earlier it is examined, the greater the possibility of reducing chronic progression. Given that prolonged symptoms can lead to secondary conditions such as depression, panic disorder, and insomnia, it is important not to overlook the signals your body sends.
If test results are normal but physical discomfort persists, an approach that examines autonomic nervous system function from the perspective of constitution and pattern differentiation may provide a clue to recovery. Treatment can be comfortably received in a private individual treatment space, and operations are the same regardless of weekdays, weekends, and holidays. If your body's signals continue to repeat over time, it is recommended that you stop by during the first clinic hours at 8 a.m. to check your current condition.
Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction, Most Frequently Asked Questions When in Doubt
Q1. Which department should I see for autonomic nervous system dysfunction?
When organic causes are suspected, it is recommended to first receive tests for causative diseases at the neurology or internal medicine departments. When functional causes are predominant, a Korean medicine clinic can provide an approach based on constitution and pattern differentiation. If symptoms span multiple systems, rather than limiting consultation to one department, it is advisable to consult with the healthcare provider and develop a plan suited to your condition.
Q2. When I'm stressed, my heart palpitates and my digestion worsens. Is this also an autonomic nervous system problem?
When chronic stress persists, the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems can be shaken, causing heart palpitations and digestive disturbances to appear simultaneously. If the two symptoms repeatedly appear together and worsen under stress, the possibility of autonomic nervous system dysfunction can be considered. However, checking for the possibility of heart disease or digestive disorders should be prioritized.
Q3. I was diagnosed with panic disorder. What is the relationship with autonomic nervous system dysfunction?
Panic disorder and autonomic nervous system dysfunction share many overlapping symptoms such as heart palpitations, dizziness, cold sweats, indigestion, and insomnia, and can influence each other. When physical symptoms are not completely resolved by panic disorder treatment alone, an approach that also examines autonomic nervous system function itself can be helpful. It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider to consider both aspects.
Q4. How long after receiving Korean medicine treatment can I feel changes?
Differences occur depending on the individual's constitution, duration of symptoms, and baseline condition, making it difficult to speak uniformly. An approach that confirms progress on a weekly basis and adjusts prescriptions is helpful in responding flexibly to symptom changes, and the timing of feeling changes varies by individual. It is recommended to discuss expected outcomes sufficiently with your attending Korean medicine doctor at the beginning of treatment.
Q5. Why does my body continue to feel uncomfortable even when test results are normal?
Conventional blood tests and imaging tests focus on identifying structural abnormalities, making it difficult to directly measure functional imbalance in the autonomic nervous system. Research in PubMed PMC12234583 reports cases where undiagnosed autonomic nervous system dysfunction in chronic disease patients presenting with multisystem symptoms significantly reduces quality of life. Normal test results do not mean there is no bodily abnormality.
Suitability for treatment is determined after consultation