Autonomic neuropathy
Neuropathy - autonomic; Autonomic nerve diseaseAutonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur when there is damage to the nerves that manage normally automatic body functions. These functions include blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, bowel and bladder emptying, and digestion.
Causes
Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms. It is not a specific disease. There are many causes.
Autonomic neuropathy involves damage to the nerves that carry information from the brain and spinal cord. The information is then carried to the heart, blood vessels, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, and pupils.
Autonomic neuropathy may be seen with:
- Alcohol abuse
- Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy)
(diabetic neuropathy)
Nerve damage that occurs in people with diabetes is called diabetic neuropathy. This condition is a complication of diabetes.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Disorders involving scarring of tissues around the nerves
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Guillain Barré syndrome or other diseases that inflame nerves
Guillain Barré syndrome
Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a serious health problem that occurs when the body's defense (immune) system mistakenly attacks part of the peripher...
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HIV/AIDS
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). When a person becomes infected with HIV, the ...
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- Multiple sclerosis
-
Parkinson disease
Parkinson disease
Parkinson disease results from certain brain cells dying. These cells help control movement and coordination. The disease leads to shaking (tremors...
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- Surgery or injury involving the nerves
Symptoms
Symptoms vary, depending on the nerves affected. They usually develop slowly over years.
Stomach and intestine symptoms may include:
- Constipation (hard stools)
- Diarrhea (loose stools)
- Feeling full after only a few bites (early satiety)
Early satiety
Satiety is the satisfied feeling of being full after eating. Early satiety is feeling full sooner than normal or after eating less than usual....
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Problems controlling bowel movements
Problems controlling bowel movements
Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, causing you to unexpectedly pass stool. This can range from sometimes leaking a small amount of sto...
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-
Swollen abdomen
Swollen abdomen
A swollen abdomen is when your belly area is bigger than usual.
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Heart and lungs symptoms may include:
- Abnormal heart rate or rhythm
- Blood pressure drop with position that causes dizziness when standing
- High blood pressure
- Shortness of breath with activity or exercise
Bladder symptoms may include:
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Difficulty beginning to urinate
Difficulty beginning to urinate
Difficulty starting or maintaining a urine stream is called urinary hesitancy.
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- Leaking urine
Other symptoms may include:
- Sweating too much or not enough
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Heat intolerance brought on with activity and exercise
Heat intolerance
Heat intolerance is a feeling of being overheated when the temperature around you rises. It can often cause heavy sweating. Heat intolerance usually...
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- Small pupil in one eye
- Weight loss without trying
Exams and Tests
Signs of autonomic nerve damage are not always seen when your doctor examines you. Your blood pressure or heart rate may change when lying down, sitting, or standing.
Special tests to measure sweating and heart rate may be done. This is called autonomic testing.
Other tests depend on what type of symptoms you have.
Treatment
Treatment to reverse nerve damage is most often not possible. As a result, treatment and self-care are focused on managing your symptoms and preventing further problems.
Your health care provider may recommend:
- Extra salt in the diet or taking salt tablets to increase fluid volume in blood vessels
- Fludrocortisone or similar medicines to help your body retain salt and fluid
- Medicines to treat irregular heart rhythms
-
Pacemaker
Pacemaker
A pacemaker is a small, battery-operated device. This device senses when your heart is beating too slowly. It sends a signal to your heart that mak...
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- Wearing compression stockings
Compression stockings
You wear compression stockings to improve blood flow in the veins of your legs. Compression stockings gently squeeze your legs to move blood up your...
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The following may help your intestines and stomach work better:
-
Daily bowel care program
Daily bowel care program
Health conditions that cause nerve damage can cause problems with how your bowels function. A daily bowel care program can help manage this problem ...
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- Sleeping with the head raised
- Small, frequent meals
Medicines and self-care programs can help you if you have:
-
Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence
You have urinary incontinence. This means you are not able to prevent urine from leaking from your urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out...
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Neurogenic bladder
Neurogenic bladder
Neurogenic bladder is a problem in which a person lacks bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition.
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Outlook (Prognosis)
How well you do will depend on the cause of the problem and if it can be treated.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. Early symptoms might include:
- Becoming faint or lightheaded when standing
- Changes in bowel, bladder, or sexual function
- Unexplained nausea and vomiting when eating
Early diagnosis and treatment may control symptoms.
Autonomic neuropathy may hide the warning signs of a heart attack. Instead of feeling chest pain, if you have autonomic neuropathy, during a heart attack you may only have:
- Sudden fatigue
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea and vomiting
Prevention
Prevent or control associated disorders to reduce the risk for neuropathy. For example, people with diabetes should closely control blood sugar levels.
Control blood sugar levels
When you have diabetes, you should have good control of your blood sugar (glucose). If your blood sugar is not controlled, serious health problems c...
Read Article Now Book Mark ArticleReferences
Katirji B. Disorders of peripheral nerves. In: Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, Newman NJ, eds. Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 106.
Smith G, Shy ME. Peripheral neuropathies. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 392.
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Autonomic Nerves - illustration
Autonomic nerves are concerned with muscular functions which are reflexive, such as breathing, heartbeats and peristalsis (rhythmic movements of the intestines).
Autonomic Nerves
illustration
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Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
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Autonomic Nerves - illustration
Autonomic nerves are concerned with muscular functions which are reflexive, such as breathing, heartbeats and peristalsis (rhythmic movements of the intestines).
Autonomic Nerves
illustration
-
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord.
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
illustration
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Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth
(In-Depth)
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Diabetes - type 2 - InDepth
(In-Depth)
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Alpha-lipoic acid
(Alt. Medicine)
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Restless legs syndrome and related disorders - InDepth
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Biofeedback
(Alt. Medicine)
Review Date: 11/2/2022
Reviewed By: Evelyn O. Berman, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics at University of Rochester, Rochester, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.