Autonomic neuropathy an overview about the signs and symptoms

Autonomic Neuropathy – An Overview about the Signs and Symptoms

Autonomic neuropathy occurs due to the damage of nerves that control your internal organs. This nerve damage disturbs signal processing between the autonomic nervous system and the brain.

Autonomic neuropathy (also called autonomic dysfunction or dysautonomia) is a condition that occurs when the nerves that control involuntary bodily functions are damaged. This nerve damage interferes or disturbs signal processing between the brain and areas of the autonomic nervous system such as blood vessels, heart and sweat glands. Injured autonomic nerves can create problems with heart rate, digestion, blood pressure, bowel movements, sweat glands, sex organs, perspiration patterns and ability to sense hypoglycemia, (also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar). Diabetes, regarded as one of the most common causes of autonomic neuropathy, can gradually cause nerve damage throughout the body. Therefore, early detection of impaired autonomic function in patients with diabetes is crucial.

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Signs and Symptoms Autonomic neuropathy can affect many organs and present an array of symptoms. These may vary and depend on the specific nerves affected. Early symptoms include dizziness or faintness when rising or standing and feeling nauseated when eating. Some of the other prominent symptoms include -

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➢ Urinary dysfunction - frequency, excessive urinating at night, urgency, stress incontinence, retention, hesitancy ➢ Difficulty in digesting food ➢ Sexual dysfunction - erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, decreased libido ➢ Sweating abnormalities (such as sweating too much or too little, which affects the ability to regulate body temperature) ➢ Sluggish pupil reaction (making it difficult to adjust from light to dark and seeing well when driving at night) ➢ Exercise intolerance ➢ Paresthesias - numbness or tingling in feet, legs, hands, arms or other body parts ➢ Unexplained weight loss Autonomic neuropathy is a possible complication that arises due to a number of autoimmune, infectious and other chronic inherited disorders. Physicians may make a diagnosis based on individual symptoms, risk factors, observations during a physical exam and test results. They may conduct a wide range of tests such as breathing tests (to evaluate blood pressure and heart rate), gastrointestinal tests, thermoregulatory sweat test, urinalysis and bladder function (urodynamic) tests, Tilt-table test (to monitor blood pressure during posture change), abdominal X-rays (to examine digestive tract) and ultrasound. Based on the specific diagnosis, different treatment modalities are offered.

Treatment will be based on individual symptoms and which part of your body is mainly affected by nerve damage. For example, if the underlying cause is diabetes, then controlling blood sugar level will be the main treatment. In some cases, treatment of the underlying disease may allow the damaged nerves to repair and regenerate. A combination of treatment approaches including prescription medications, physical therapy exercises, electrical nerve stimulation and other serious lifestyle modifications is likely to result in the best symptom management.

Preventing Autonomic Neuropathy Addressing the following conditions can help prevent the further development of autonomic neuropathy ✓ Diabetes management - Try to keep your blood sugar level normal or as stable as possible.

Eating a low-sugar and high-fiber diet might help regulate diabetes. ✓ Quit the habit of cigarette smoking. ✓ Posture changes - Stand up slowly, in stages, to reduce dizziness. ✓ Regular physical exercise – Daily exercise help manage certain health conditions and maintain body weight. ✓ Prevent high blood pressure – Increase the intake of fluids, exercise regularly, and eliminate stressful situations.

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