Dysautonomia
| Dysautonomia | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Autonomic dysfunction |
| Pronounce | |
| Field | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Anxiety |
| Complications | |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | |
| Causes | Inadequacy of sympathetic, or parasympathetic, components of autonomic nervous system |
| Risks | Alcoholism and Diabetes |
| Diagnosis | Ambulatory Blood pressure, as well as EKG monitoring |
| Differential diagnosis | |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Symptomatic and supportive |
| Medication | |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | |
| Deaths | |
Dysautonomia 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, HIV/AIDS, multiple system atrophy, autonomic failure, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy, and autonomic neuropathy.
The diagnosis is achieved through 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.
Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of dysautonomia, which are numerous and vary widely for each individual, are due to inefficient or unbalanced efferent signals sent via both systems. The primary symptoms in individuals with dysautonomia include
Causes[edit | edit source]
Dysautonomia can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Autoimmune diseases
- Nervous system disorders
- Infections
- Diabetes
- Traumatic injuries
Some specific conditions that can lead to dysautonomia include:
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Diabetic neuropathy
- Lyme disease
- Sjögren's syndrome
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosing dysautonomia involves a thorough evaluation of the patient's medical history, a physical examination, and various tests to assess autonomic function. These tests may include:
- Tilt table test: This test measures blood pressure and heart rate changes in response to changes in body position.
- Quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART): This test evaluates the functioning of sweat glands.
- Valsalva maneuver: This test measures changes in heart rate and blood pressure in response to forced exhalation against a closed airway.
- Heart rate variability: This test measures changes in heart rate during different activities, such as deep breathing or standing.
- Gastric emptying test: This test assesses the speed at which the stomach empties its contents.
- Urinary function tests: These tests evaluate the functioning of the bladder and urinary system.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for dysautonomia focuses on managing the symptoms and addressing the underlying cause if possible. Depending on the specific symptoms and their severity, treatment options may include:
- Medications: Various medications can be used to manage symptoms, such as drugs to increase blood pressure, medications to manage gastrointestinal symptoms, and drugs to treat urinary problems.
- Non-pharmacological treatments: Lifestyle modifications, such as increasing fluid and salt intake, wearing compression stockings, and practicing regular physical activity, can help manage some symptoms.
- Specific treatments for underlying conditions: If dysautonomia is caused by a specific condition, such as diabetes or Parkinson's disease, treating the underlying condition may improve autonomic function.
- Supportive care: Patients with dysautonomia may benefit from occupational and physical therapy to help maintain daily functioning and improve quality of life.
See Also[edit | edit source]
- Autonomic nervous system
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
- Multiple system atrophy
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Vasovagal syncope
External links[edit | edit source]
| Classification | |
|---|---|
| External resources |
|
| Dysautonomia Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
