There are diseases that have no known cause. What should we do?

Huazi has a friend who suffers from stomachache and headache from time to time. She went to the hospital for a gastroscopy and head CT scan, but could not find any cause. She told Huazi that every time the symptoms appeared, it was when she was in a bad mood. For example, when she was under great pressure at work or felt anxious, she would feel uncomfortable in various parts of her body.

Huazi told her friends that she was probably suffering from autonomic nervous system disorder, a disease with no known cause because there was no organic lesion. However, autonomic nervous system disorder can cause symptoms in the central nervous system, digestive system, urinary system, cardiovascular system, etc.

1. Diseases with no known cause

Many people believe that when a person is sick, there must be something wrong with one of their organs. However, autonomic nervous system disorders are still a "difficult and complicated disease" for modern medicine, because although there are symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, palpitations, and frequent urination, after various examinations, no evidence of illness can be found.

In other words, there is no pathological manifestation that can explain the patient's symptoms, but the patient's symptoms and suffering are objectively present. Therefore, autonomic nervous system disorder is a functional disease with no known cause.

According to statistics from the World Health Organization, the probability of autonomic nervous system disorders among adults worldwide is about 11%, and the probability among Chinese people is around 15% to 20%.

2. Diseases related to negative emotions

The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling the activities of the internal organs of the human body. Once a disorder occurs, problems will arise in the regulation of smooth muscles and neurotransmitters of various organs, leading to various abnormalities in the internal organs and feelings of discomfort.

Although the specific cause of autonomic nervous system disorders cannot be found, most of them are related to negative emotions.

Huazi has come into contact with many people with autonomic nervous system disorders, and they basically have similar personalities, such as sentimentality, suspicion, sensitivity, timidity, poor emotional self-control, lack of self-confidence, habit of relying on others, and demanding perfection, etc. These people are particularly susceptible to negative suggestions and doubt their own health, thus inducing autonomic nervous system disorders.

3. Symptomatic treatment and psychological adjustment

Because there is "no cause", the traditional treatment of autonomic nervous system disorders is mainly symptomatic treatment. For example, if symptoms such as insomnia and early awakening occur, sleeping pills are given; if there are symptoms of decreased appetite and indigestion, digestive drugs are given; if there are symptoms of palpitations and tachycardia, heart rate-lowering drugs are used.

Symptomatic treatment can only provide temporary relief, but it cannot solve the underlying problem. After stopping the medication, the symptoms will recur, and many people have no effect even if they use symptomatic medication.

However, people have discovered one thing during the treatment process: many people who have autonomic nervous system disorder symptoms and concurrent anxiety or depression will experience reduced or disappearance of autonomic nervous system disorder symptoms after receiving psychotherapy.

Because the occurrence of anxiety and depression is related to the disorder of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine in the brain, which causes insufficient activity of the brain's central nervous system, it will cause people to enter a state of depression, which in turn affects the autonomic nervous system and causes various symptoms.

Therefore, receiving psychological treatment and using anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs that regulate central nervous system transmitters can relieve negative emotions, thereby effectively controlling the symptoms of autonomic nervous system disorders caused by anxiety and depression. Huazi often recommends that people with autonomic nervous system disorders see a psychologist for this reason.

In fact, autonomic nervous system disorders can be cured because there is no substantial lesion in the organs. As long as you understand the cause of the disease, eliminate the fear in your mind, and strengthen control over your emotions, you can eliminate the symptoms and achieve complete cure.

In summary, autonomic nervous system disorder is a difficult disease. There is no definite cause and no substantial pathological manifestations, but it is highly correlated with negative emotions. While taking medication for symptomatic treatment, psychological treatment should also be carried out. Medication must be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi. Welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.