Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) acts as a control system for the body. It functions without a person having to think about it, and controls the internal organs. The ANS affects heart rate, digestion, respiration rate, salivation, perspiration, pupil diameter, urination, and sexual arousal. Most of the actions performed by the ANS are involuntary.

There are two parts, or branches, to the ANS: the sympathetic branch and the parasympathetic branch. Generally, the sympathetic branch takes over more control when you are stressed, ill, or injured, while the parasympathetic branch is more in control when relaxing, sleeping, or recovering from an illness or injury. A balance between the two branches of the ANS is essential for good health. An imbalance in the ANS can tell a doctor many things about how healthy a person is as well as what can be done to keep that person as healthy as possible.

Autonomic nervous system monitoring with the ANSiscope® device is a fast, noninvasive, and simple way to give your doctor information to help him or her determine your true health. Monitoring the ANS frequently - like blood pressure and heart rate - can help a doctor keep that person healthy. Information is collected from an easy, painless measurement that can be done in a doctor's office or in a hospital with the ANSiscope® device.