Dr. María Machío, neurologist specialized in epilepsy, headaches and sleep, highlights the importance of the autonomic nervous system as a key structure in the regulation of the body. She explains that the brain and its connections control functions related to the heart, the digestive system and other organs, so neurovegetative balance has a fundamental role in health.
During her intervention, she emphasizes the close relationship between sleep and chronic pain, noting that pain alters rest and that unrestful sleep can increase sensitivity to pain. She describes how the neurological approach to sleep usually begins with sleep hygiene measures and, when these are not sufficient, resorts to pharmacological treatments that can generate dependence or side effects.
Dr. Machío considers it particularly interesting the possibility of modulating the vegetative nervous system through non-invasive methods, both for safety and ease of application. She also defends that sleep treatment must be multidisciplinary, involving neurologists, pulmonologists, psychologists and psychiatrists.
In addition, she points out that NESA opens new possibilities for research in fields such as sleep, headaches, epilepsy and cerebrovascular disease, with the aim of continuing to explore new clinical applications.
