The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls the involuntary “life-support” functions of the body such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, dilation and constriction of the pupils of the eye, kidney function, and body temperature. Two branches of the ANS are the sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous systems (PNS). Another important aspect of the ANS is its close relationship with the immune system. Both the ANS and the immune system are known to become dysfunctional during chronic disease states.
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