Science behind the Health Snapshot
The
Health Snapshot test gives ability to assess general health condition based on a dynamic evaluation of the autonomic nervous system function.
The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) – is a mechanism, which controls all of the body's organs functions, such as cardiovascular system, respiration, digestion, excretion, reproduction, body metabolism, immune system and many more. Depending on the ANS performance the body either functions normally or experiences functional problems. At their early stages, many sicknesses can be linked to a disruption in performance of the ANS.
The autonomic nervous system consists of two branches - sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which typically work as antagonists with regard to their effects on various organs and functions. For example, increased sympathetic activity causes blood pressure to rise and heart beating faster, while increased parasympathetic activity causes blood pressure to drop and heart beating slower.
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for so-called general stress response, a generalized physiological reaction of the body to mobilize all its resources for survival. This reaction is also known as "fight or flight" response. During such reactions increased sympathetic stimulation causes heartbeat and blood pressure to increase, blood flow redistributed from the skin and many internal organs to skeletal muscles, airways and pupils are dilated. The body is being prepared to fight or run away for survival.
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for relaxation response of the body, which is also known as "rest and digest". During this reaction increased parasympathetic stimulation causes heartbeat and blood pressure to decrease, blood flow returned to the skin and internal organs, airways and pupils are constricted. This response is targeted to restore and conserve body energy for the future.
At rest both sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are active with slight parasympathetic dominance. The actual balance between them is constantly changing in attempt to achieve equilibrium under the influence of all internal and external stimuli. Heart rate may serve as an integral indicator of such balance because it constantly changes beat-by-beat being under influence of the complex regulatory mechanism controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This process is known as heart rate variability (HRV). For the past two decades the analysis of HRV has become one of the most important non-invasive methods of assessment of the autonomic nervous system function. It is accurate, reliable, reproducible, yet simple to measure and process. There are numerous research publications indicating that HRV analysis allows for assessing the level of activity of both sympathetic and parasympathetic functions, their balance and overall condition of the body's internal mechanisms of regulation of many vital physiological processes.
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Health Snapshot test provides a simple procedure to quickly assess this condition at rest. The algorithm of this assessment is based on the method of comparison of the results with normal ranges, widely used in medical practice. These normal ranges are built on the results measures in the large population of healthy subjects. Using this method our scientists have developed a unique algorithm of assessment of the levels of body’s activation energy (SNS) and relaxation energy (PNS) as well as their balance based on the standard method of HRV analysis. Lowered levels of these parameters or their balance obtained in a single test indicate that there is a problem with body’s internal regulation caused by various negative factors such as fatigue, stress, emotions, etc. If this happens repeatedly during a prolonged period of time, this could be a strong sign of a saddle health problem even though there are no obvious symptoms of any disease yet.