Understanding the Sympathetic Nervous System in Medicine

Neel Reddy on Instagram: "Most sleep problems I see aren’t sleep disorders — they’re nervous system problems. In emergency medicine, poor sleep shows up everywhere: palpitations, anxiety, high blood pressure, poor glucose control. What’s usually driving it is sympathetic dominance. When breathing is fast and shallow, the brain stays in threat mode. Cortisol remains elevated. Melatonin is suppressed. Deep sleep never properly arrives. Slow, controlled breathing shifts the system toward parasympat

Ever wake up from a nap feeling groggier than before? 😴 You might be missing the biochemistry cue your body is giving your. 👃 Here’s the trick: true rest—and optimal alertness after—only happens when your nostril dominance switches. 🧠 Your nostrils alternate airflow every ~90 minutes. \t•\tLeft nostril dominance = parasympathetic nervous system is dominant (rest & digest) \t•\tRight nostril dominance = sympathetic nervous system is dominant (alert & action) So if you’re power napping, lie on