Has the time come for gastrointestinal functional testing to be included as part of autonomic nervous system testing?

Abstract

Individuals with autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders have a high burden of gastrointestinal symptoms. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are diagnosed with functional gastrointestinal disorders without a comprehensive clinical evaluation or an understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanism. The ANS regulates all body systems and is responsible for maintaining homeostasis by coordinating responses to physiological processes and perturbations and is integral in controlling functions of the gastrointestinal system.