Our body's nervous system has two major components that
are called the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous
system,
consists of the brain and the spinal cord and the peripheral nervous system in turn consists of the somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous system. The somatic nervous system is responsible for all voluntary
muscle contractions and sensory stimuli (touch, smell, hearing
etc,) while the autonomic nervous system controls all the involuntary functions of the body such as
breathing,digestion, control of blood pressure, sugar and many more functions.
The ANS has two sections - one that accelaerates the ANS functions
(sympathetic) and the other that brakes some of the body functions (parasympathetic).
According to the new findings,
autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction
plays an important role in decreasing the quality of life. Dysfunction of the
ANS is known to explain a wide range of physical and physiological illnesses.
A clear cut understanding of
the factors contributing to the poor quality of life in patients with lung
disease such as COPD can definitely improve their health status. Unfortunately
very little research has been done till date.
The latest study published in
the journal '
Respirology' described
60 patients with COPD. The patients included in the study were clinically
stable ones and aged 40 to 75 years.
Their quality of life was
measured through a questionnaire, and their heart rates were measured through
Holter electrocardiogram monitoring devices. Lung function was assessed using
spirometry, whole-body plethysmography, and diffusion capacity measurements. The Holter electrocardiogram device
recorded heart rate variability (HRV), an assessment tool for the functionality
of the autonomic nervous system.
It was found that
the resting parasympathetic tone of the ANS
was independently associated with the quality of life in COPD patients.
Patients with COPD had raised resting heart rate and decreased heart rate
variability
when compared with the
normal values of healthy participants at similar ages. The increased resting
heart rate makes the heart work harder and the decreased heart rate
variability means it does not respond adquately to exercises or exertion.
Thus it clear that testing the
cardiac autonomic function is important for improving the quality of life in
patients with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). Treatments
that target the
autonomic nervous system
regulation of the heart can help in overall improvement of patients with
chronic lung pathologies like obstructive airway disease.
Source:
Respirology. 2011;16:939-946
Source: Medindia
