Recovery after a brain injury can feel like solving a puzzle, uncovering the pieces and trying to put it all together. For many, dysautonomia is the missing piece of the puzzle that explains why symptoms like brain fog, lightheadedness, and extreme fatigue persist long after the initial impact.

In this episode, Cristabelle sits down with Dr. Ryan Harvey from The Functional Neurology Center to pull back the curtain on the autonomic nervous system and explain why a problem with the autonomic nervous system and blood flow might be the real reason you’re struggling to find stability. Dr. Harvey also shares his powerful personal journey from a child experiencing mysterious fainting episodes to becoming a lead clinician helping others navigate the same complex neurological dysfunctions.

🧠 In this episode:

• Understanding dysautonomia as a dysfunction in how your brain signals blood flow throughout the body.
• Neurogenic inflammation from a head injury can last much longer than typical body inflammation, often triggering autonomic issues.
• Identifying the wide range of symptoms of dysautonomia, from cold hands and feet to GI issues and exercise intolerance.
• Why simple positional changes, like standing up or showering, can become major hurdles for cerebral perfusion.
• Practical, controllable strategies for taking the next step forward.
• How to move from a state of overstimulation into a multimodal rehabilitation plan where life eventually becomes your therapy.

CONNECT

Follow @hopesurvives

Visit ⁠hopesurvives.org ⁠⁠

Join a support group at ⁠hopesurvives.org/community⁠⁠

Reach out to us anytime: ⁠hi@hopesurvives.org⁠

Hosted by Cristabelle Braden: @cristabellebraden |⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cristabellebraden.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-------

Sponsor

Thank you to The Functional Neurology Center for sponsoring this podcast - The FNC offers personalized neuro-recovery programs for anyone going through brain injury and a wide range of neurological conditions. Learn more:⁠ ⁠https://www.thefnc.com⁠⁠

-------

0:00 Intro

2:00 Welcome with Cristabelle

6:20 Introducing Dr. Harvey

11:40 Explaining Dysautonomia

15:50 POTS & Other Forms

18:20 What to Look Out For

20:50 Exercise Intolerance

23:18 Where to Start to Regulate Nervous System

27:07 Dysautonomia vs. Post-Injury Dysfunction

30:20 Words of Hope

-------

Disclaimer

This podcast is for education and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your physician for individualized care. More: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hopesurvives.org/podcast⁠