Autonomic nervous system disturbances, commonly referred to as vegetative-vascular dystonia, often appear alongside physical illness or mental health challenges. Is this really a standalone diagnosis, and what hidden signals could lie behind its typical symptoms? INVITRO explores these questions.
The expert notes that the term “vegetovascular dystonia” (VVD) describes a spectrum of symptoms indicating autonomic nervous system involvement. These signs can surface as manifestations of diverse diseases and conditions, rather than pointing to a single underlying disorder.
In the ICD-10 revision, the term VVD is not listed as a formal diagnosis. In many parts of Russia and the CIS, VVD remains widely used, but in Western medical practice it is not common. The clinician explains that the 11th ICD revision introduces a new designation: Disorders of the autonomic nervous system, unspecified, to capture functional disturbances of the nervous system without naming a specific disease.
When the autonomic nervous system is not functioning properly, patients may experience a wide range of symptoms spanning several body systems. These can involve the nervous system itself, the heart and blood vessels, the lungs, the urinary and reproductive organs, the digestive tract, temperature regulation, and sweating. People may report modest changes in body temperature, fatigue, numbness or tingling, itching, burning sensations, pain in various locations, heightened anxiety, irritability, restlessness, muscle tightness, headaches, sudden sweating, and a sense of breathlessness or lack of energy.
The frequent reliance on VVD as a provisional diagnosis by general practitioners, cardiologists, and neurologists often stems from its convenience and time-saving nature during the diagnostic process. However, this practice can lead to inappropriate or ineffective treatments that fail to address the root cause and may worsen the overall prognosis and life quality for patients, according to Terentyeva.
Consequently, the medical consensus emphasizes that autonomic nervous system disorders commonly labeled as VVD are usually secondary. They arise in the context of another physical or mental health condition. Complaints attributed to autonomic dysfunction, such as high blood pressure, coronary conditions, diabetes, or irregularities in brain and nerve function, may actually reflect other somatic illnesses lying beneath the surface.
At the same time, anxiety disorders frequently masquerade as VVD. The doctor points out that panic disorder produces recurrent episodes of intense fear with autonomic symptoms, along with profound unease and worry. Generalized anxiety disorder features a persistent, daily sense of anxiety with autonomic arousal, but without the episodic spikes seen in panic attacks. This chronic agitation frequently overlaps with autonomic symptoms.
The clinician also highlights depressive disorders as a common mental health challenge. Patients often report fatigue, persistent malaise, bodily discomfort or pain, palpitations, nausea, and excessive sweating, all of which can be misattributed to VVD without a fuller psychiatric assessment.
When mental health conditions are present, misdiagnosis of VVD can lead to treatments that fail to relieve symptoms and may bring unwanted side effects or heightened anxiety. With a correct diagnostic approach and appropriate psychotherapy, health can improve, and patients can experience meaningful relief beyond what temporary symptom management provides.
This discussion echoes prior analyses that connect gastrointestinal disturbances with immune and mood symptoms, underscoring the need for a comprehensive assessment of symptom clusters rather than relying on a broad VVD label. The takeaway is that VVD-like presentations often warrant a broader diagnostic lens to identify underlying physiological or psychological drivers and to guide effective therapy and support, backed by clinical guidance and patient-centered care. [Citation: INVITRO]