S6:E57 - Dr. Andrew Maxwell: Dysautonomia and Ehlers Danlos

In this episode, Dr. Andrew J. Maxwell, a Board Certified Pediatric Cardiologist, discusses the complexities of dysautonomia and its connection with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). He describes dysautonomia as a range of disorders affecting the autonomic nervous system, and highlights the critical roles of the parasympathetic nervous system and the vagus nerve. Dr. Maxwell explains how these conditions can vary widely in severity and often overlap, creating a "pentad" of issues including gastrointestinal dysmotility and autoimmunity. He emphasizes the role of environmental triggers and genetic predispositions in exacerbating these conditions. The importance of interdisciplinary approaches to diagnosis and management is also discussed, along with lifestyle modifications and treatments targeting both symptoms and underlying causes. Dr. Maxwell also discusses the connection between breathing and vagal tone, and the implications of COVID-19 on autonomic disorders.