Dysautonomia
Dysautonomia, autonomic failure, or autonomic dysfunction is a condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work properly. This may affect the functioning of the heart, bladder, intestines, sweat glands, pupils, and blood vessels. Dysautonomia has many causes, not all of which may be classified as neuropathic. A number of conditions can feature dysautonomia, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, dementia with Lewy bodies, Ehlers–Danlos syndromes, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy and autonomic neuropathy, HIV/AIDS, mitochondrial cytopathy, pure autonomic failure, autism, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
| Dysautonomia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Autonomic failure, Autonomic dysfunction |
| The autonomic nervous system | |
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Anhidrosis or hyperhidrosis, blurry vision, tunnel vision, orthostatic hypotension, constipation, diarrhea, dysphagia, bowel incontinence, urinary retention or urinary incontinence, dizziness, Brain Fog, exercise intolerance, tachycardia, vertigo, weakness and pruritus. |
| Causes | Inadequacy of sympathetic, or parasympathetic, components of autonomic nervous system |
| Risk factors | Alcoholism and Diabetes |
| Diagnostic method | Ambulatory Blood pressure, as well as EKG monitoring |
| Treatment | Symptomatic and supportive |
Diagnosis is made by functional testing of the ANS, focusing on the affected organ system. Investigations may be performed to identify underlying disease processes that may have led to the development of symptoms or autonomic neuropathy. Symptomatic treatment is available for many symptoms associated with dysautonomia, and some disease processes can be directly treated. Depending on the severity of the dysfunction, dysautonomia can range from being nearly symptomless and transient to disabling and/or life-threatening.