AUTONOMIC NEUROP...

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Autonomic Nerves

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Definition

Autonomic neuropathy is a group of symptoms that occur when there is damage to nerves that regulate blood pressure, heart rate, bowel and bladder emptying, digestion, and other body functions.

Alternative Names

Neuropathy - autonomic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Autonomic neuropathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It is a group of symptoms, not a specific disease. There are many causes.

Autonomic neuropathy involves damage to the nerves that run through a part of the peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system includes the nerves used for communication to and from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system) and all other parts of the body, including the internal organs, muscles, skin, and blood vessels.

Damage to the autonomic nerves affects the function of areas connected to the problem nerve. For example, damage to the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract makes it harder to move food during digestion (decreased gastric motility).

Autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves that regulate vital functions, including the heart muscle and smooth muscles.

Damage to the nerves supplying blood vessels causes problems with blood pressure and body temperature.

Autonomic neuropathy is associated with the following:

• Alcoholic neuropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Disorders involving scarring and hardening (sclerosis) tissues
• Guillain Barre syndrome or other diseases that inflame nerves
• HIV and AIDS
• Inherited nerve disorders
• Parkinson's disease
• Surgery or injury involving the nerves
• Use of anticholinergic medications

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the nerve(s) affected. They usually develop gradually over years.

Symptoms may include:

Digestive tract

• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Feeling full after only a few bites (early satiety)
• Nausea after eating
• Swollen abdomen
• Unintentional loss of more than 5% of body weight
• Vomiting of undigested food

Heart

• Blood pressure changes with position
• Dizziness that occurs when standing up

Urinary tract

• Difficulty beginning to urinate
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• Urinary incontinence (overflow incontinence)

Other symptoms

• Abnormal sweating
• Fainting
• Heat intolerance, induced by exercise
• Male impotence

Reviewer Info: Daniel B. Hoch, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., 09/25/2008