Neuropathy Community Group
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AUTONOMIC NEUROPATHY
Edited for Froedert Support Group
For the full article go to MayoClinic.com - Special to CNN.com
INTRODUCTION
Neuropathy is the term for damage to your nerves. Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that regulate the body functions that you can't control, including the nerves that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and digestion, among other functions. Neuropathies are often due to diabetes, although they also have other causes.
Your nerves transmit messages between your brain and your muscles, blood vessels, skin and internal organs. Autonomic neuropathy results in faulty communication between your brain and the parts of your body that your autonomic nervous system serves.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy vary depending on which nerves
are affected but can range from dizziness to trouble with digestion and urination
to sexual difficulties. Treatment of autonomic neuropathy involves addressing the
underlying cause, if possible, and managing the signs and symptoms. Signs and
symptoms of autonomic neuropathy depend on which parts of your autonomic
nervous system are most affected. They may include:
- A drop in blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension), which can cause dizziness and fainting
- Trouble with urination, including diminished sensation, overflow incontinence and inability to empty your bladder completely, which can lead to urinary tract infections
- Sexual difficulties
- Difficulty digesting food (gastroparesis), which can cause a feeling of fullness after eating little, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting and heartburn
- Cardiovascular problems, such as heart rate abnormalities that may include a lack of normal heart rate changes when you exert yourself
- Heat intolerance
- Sluggish pupil reaction to light and dark
- Exercise intolerance, which causes your heart rate to remain unchanged instead of increasing and decreasing in response to your activity level
- Lack of usual warning signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include shakiness, sweating and palpitations
CAUSES
Your nervous system is made up of two parts. The core is your central nervous system - your brain and spinal cord. The rest of your nervous system, branching off from your spinal cord to the rest of your body, is your peripheral nervous system.
Part of the peripheral nervous system involves nerves that you consciously control - such as nerves you use to move your voluntary muscles. Part is your autonomic nervous system - the nerves that regulate the part of your nervous system that you can't control, such as your heart rate, blood pressure and intestinal function.
Damage to your peripheral nerves is called peripheral neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy.
A number of conditions can lead to damage of the autonomic nerves.
Causes may include:
- Alcoholism
- Diabetes
- Abnormal protein buildup in organs (amyloidosis), which affects the organs and the nervous system
- Autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks and damages parts of your body, including your nerves
- Some tumors
- Multiple system atrophy, a degenerative disorder that destroys the nervous system
- Surgical or traumatic injury to nerves
- Treatment with certain medications, chemotherapy and drugs
- Other chronic illnesses, Parkinson's disease and HIV/AIDS
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSES
Because autonomic neuropathy isn't a single disease, it can be difficult to
diagnose. Often, determining the diagnosis is a matter of ruling out other
causes of the signs and symptoms. Your doctor is likely to take a medical
history, ask for a thorough description of your symptoms and do a physical
exam.
Your doctor also may use a number of tests to aid in diagnosis. These
may include: Breathing tests., Tilt-table test, Quantitative sudomotor axon
reflex test (QSART, Thermoregulatory sweat test, Ultrasound).
COMPLICATIONS
The possible complications of autonomic neuropathy are many. They may include:
- Injuries from falls caused by lowered blood pressure when you stand
- Mental and physical fatigue due to low blood pressure
- Malnutrition and weight loss from digestive system difficulties
- Fluid or electrolyte imbalance from excessive vomiting or diarrhea, a condition in which your body loses minerals you need
- Relationship problems due to sexual dysfunction
- Urinary problems, including urinary tract infections
- Cardiovascular complications, such as irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Kidney failure from bladder problems that aren't treated properly
TREATMENT
Treatment for autonomic neuropathy depends on the underlying cause
and the particular signs and symptoms you're experiencing. For example,
if the underlying cause is diabetes, you'll need to control your blood sugar
to keep it as close to normal as possible. If the underlying cause is an
autoimmune disease, treatment will focus on modulating your immune
system and decreasing inflammation. The goal of treatment is to manage
the underlying condition, repair nerve damage, if possible, and provide
symptom relief. The type of medication your doctor may prescribe
depends on your symptoms.
PREVENTION
Ways to help prevent autonomic neuropathy may include:
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Get help if you have a problem with alcohol.
- Get appropriate treatment if you have an autoimmune disease.
- Take steps to prevent or control high blood pressure.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Exercise regularly.
COPING SKILLS
Living with a chronic illness or disability presents daily challenges. Some of
these suggestions may make it easier for you to cope:
- Set priorities. Decide which tasks you need to do on a given day and which can wait until another time. Stay active, but don't overdo.
- Seek and accept support. Having a support system and a positive attitude can help you cope with the challenges. Ask for or accept help when you need it. Don't shut yourself off from family and friends.
- Prepare for challenging situations. If something especially stressful is coming up in your life, such as a move or a new job, knowing what you have to do ahead of time can help you cope.
- Talk to a counselor or therapist. Depression and impotence are possible complications of autonomic neuropathy. If you experience either, you may find it helpful to talk to a counselor or therapist in
addition to your primary care doctor. There are treatments that can help.
April 13, 2006 - http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/...
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Autonomic Neuropathy can be genetic, acquired or both.
AUTONOMIC SMALL FIBER SYMPTOMS
Autonomic - Everything your body does automatically without you telling it to do it.
Allergies/Histamine Reactions (Mouth Itching)
Allergies - Food and Environmental
Anxiety
Asthma
Back Pain
Bladder Pressure
Blood Pressure High or Low
Breathing Difficulties
Burning Pain
Buzzing
Chemical Sensitivities
Chest Pain
Cognitive Changes
Depression
Digestive
Dizziness/Balance
Dry Skin
Ear Pain
Eyes - Dry or Tear
Eye Infections - Blood Shot
Exercise Intolerance
Fatigue - Mental and Physical
Full Gastric Dysmotility
GI Problems - Other
Headaches
Heart Burn
Heart Rate
IBS
Immune System Compromised
Incontinence
intolerance to Cold
Intolerance to Heat
Jaw Pain - TMJ
Joint Pain/Overextension
Lightheaded
Loud Crowded Locations
Medication Under or Over Reaction
Motor Skills
Nausea
Neuropathy Pain
Night Driving
Noise Intolerance
Numbness/Tingling/Weakness
Optical Blurriness (looking through wax paper or grittiness)
Optical Problems w/ Flashing Lights or Moving \ Light/Shadow
Rashes / Hives
Reflux
Restless Leg
Sleep - Irregular Patterns - Days and Nights Mixed
Sleep - Can go without sleep or sleep 18 hours
Spasms
Swallowing
Sweating - uncontrollable
Swelling
Temperature Intolerance
Trigger Finger
Twitching
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginal Pain
Vibration Intolerance
Vision Loss
Vitamin Deficiencies
Vocal Cord - stroke
Weakness
Weather Changes - Temperature or Seasonal
Weight Loss or Gain
Not all people have all symptoms or at any one given point in time... Your brain randomly sends mixed / wrong messages to your brain.
Edited for Froedert Support Group
For the full article go to MayoClinic.com - Special to CNN.com
INTRODUCTION
Neuropathy is the term for damage to your nerves. Autonomic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that regulate the body functions that you can't control, including the nerves that regulate your heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and digestion, among other functions. Neuropathies are often due to diabetes, although they also have other causes.
Your nerves transmit messages between your brain and your muscles, blood vessels, skin and internal organs. Autonomic neuropathy results in faulty communication between your brain and the parts of your body that your autonomic nervous system serves.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy vary depending on which nerves
are affected but can range from dizziness to trouble with digestion and urination
to sexual difficulties. Treatment of autonomic neuropathy involves addressing the
underlying cause, if possible, and managing the signs and symptoms. Signs and
symptoms of autonomic neuropathy depend on which parts of your autonomic
nervous system are most affected. They may include:
- A drop in blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension), which can cause dizziness and fainting
- Trouble with urination, including diminished sensation, overflow incontinence and inability to empty your bladder completely, which can lead to urinary tract infections
- Sexual difficulties
- Difficulty digesting food (gastroparesis), which can cause a feeling of fullness after eating little, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting and heartburn
- Cardiovascular problems, such as heart rate abnormalities that may include a lack of normal heart rate changes when you exert yourself
- Heat intolerance
- Sluggish pupil reaction to light and dark
- Exercise intolerance, which causes your heart rate to remain unchanged instead of increasing and decreasing in response to your activity level
- Lack of usual warning signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), which include shakiness, sweating and palpitations
CAUSES
Your nervous system is made up of two parts. The core is your central nervous system - your brain and spinal cord. The rest of your nervous system, branching off from your spinal cord to the rest of your body, is your peripheral nervous system.
Part of the peripheral nervous system involves nerves that you consciously control - such as nerves you use to move your voluntary muscles. Part is your autonomic nervous system - the nerves that regulate the part of your nervous system that you can't control, such as your heart rate, blood pressure and intestinal function.
Damage to your peripheral nerves is called peripheral neuropathy. Autonomic neuropathy is a type of peripheral neuropathy.
A number of conditions can lead to damage of the autonomic nerves.
Causes may include:
- Alcoholism
- Diabetes
- Abnormal protein buildup in organs (amyloidosis), which affects the organs and the nervous system
- Autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks and damages parts of your body, including your nerves
- Some tumors
- Multiple system atrophy, a degenerative disorder that destroys the nervous system
- Surgical or traumatic injury to nerves
- Treatment with certain medications, chemotherapy and drugs
- Other chronic illnesses, Parkinson's disease and HIV/AIDS
SCREENING AND DIAGNOSES
Because autonomic neuropathy isn't a single disease, it can be difficult to
diagnose. Often, determining the diagnosis is a matter of ruling out other
causes of the signs and symptoms. Your doctor is likely to take a medical
history, ask for a thorough description of your symptoms and do a physical
exam.
Your doctor also may use a number of tests to aid in diagnosis. These
may include: Breathing tests., Tilt-table test, Quantitative sudomotor axon
reflex test (QSART, Thermoregulatory sweat test, Ultrasound).
COMPLICATIONS
The possible complications of autonomic neuropathy are many. They may include:
- Injuries from falls caused by lowered blood pressure when you stand
- Mental and physical fatigue due to low blood pressure
- Malnutrition and weight loss from digestive system difficulties
- Fluid or electrolyte imbalance from excessive vomiting or diarrhea, a condition in which your body loses minerals you need
- Relationship problems due to sexual dysfunction
- Urinary problems, including urinary tract infections
- Cardiovascular complications, such as irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Kidney failure from bladder problems that aren't treated properly
TREATMENT
Treatment for autonomic neuropathy depends on the underlying cause
and the particular signs and symptoms you're experiencing. For example,
if the underlying cause is diabetes, you'll need to control your blood sugar
to keep it as close to normal as possible. If the underlying cause is an
autoimmune disease, treatment will focus on modulating your immune
system and decreasing inflammation. The goal of treatment is to manage
the underlying condition, repair nerve damage, if possible, and provide
symptom relief. The type of medication your doctor may prescribe
depends on your symptoms.
PREVENTION
Ways to help prevent autonomic neuropathy may include:
- Control your blood sugar if you have diabetes.
- Get help if you have a problem with alcohol.
- Get appropriate treatment if you have an autoimmune disease.
- Take steps to prevent or control high blood pressure.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
- Stop smoking.
- Exercise regularly.
COPING SKILLS
Living with a chronic illness or disability presents daily challenges. Some of
these suggestions may make it easier for you to cope:
- Set priorities. Decide which tasks you need to do on a given day and which can wait until another time. Stay active, but don't overdo.
- Seek and accept support. Having a support system and a positive attitude can help you cope with the challenges. Ask for or accept help when you need it. Don't shut yourself off from family and friends.
- Prepare for challenging situations. If something especially stressful is coming up in your life, such as a move or a new job, knowing what you have to do ahead of time can help you cope.
- Talk to a counselor or therapist. Depression and impotence are possible complications of autonomic neuropathy. If you experience either, you may find it helpful to talk to a counselor or therapist in
addition to your primary care doctor. There are treatments that can help.
April 13, 2006 - http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/...
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Autonomic Neuropathy can be genetic, acquired or both.
AUTONOMIC SMALL FIBER SYMPTOMS
Autonomic - Everything your body does automatically without you telling it to do it.
Allergies/Histamine Reactions (Mouth Itching)
Allergies - Food and Environmental
Anxiety
Asthma
Back Pain
Bladder Pressure
Blood Pressure High or Low
Breathing Difficulties
Burning Pain
Buzzing
Chemical Sensitivities
Chest Pain
Cognitive Changes
Depression
Digestive
Dizziness/Balance
Dry Skin
Ear Pain
Eyes - Dry or Tear
Eye Infections - Blood Shot
Exercise Intolerance
Fatigue - Mental and Physical
Full Gastric Dysmotility
GI Problems - Other
Headaches
Heart Burn
Heart Rate
IBS
Immune System Compromised
Incontinence
intolerance to Cold
Intolerance to Heat
Jaw Pain - TMJ
Joint Pain/Overextension
Lightheaded
Loud Crowded Locations
Medication Under or Over Reaction
Motor Skills
Nausea
Neuropathy Pain
Night Driving
Noise Intolerance
Numbness/Tingling/Weakness
Optical Blurriness (looking through wax paper or grittiness)
Optical Problems w/ Flashing Lights or Moving \ Light/Shadow
Rashes / Hives
Reflux
Restless Leg
Sleep - Irregular Patterns - Days and Nights Mixed
Sleep - Can go without sleep or sleep 18 hours
Spasms
Swallowing
Sweating - uncontrollable
Swelling
Temperature Intolerance
Trigger Finger
Twitching
Urinary Tract Infections
Vaginal Pain
Vibration Intolerance
Vision Loss
Vitamin Deficiencies
Vocal Cord - stroke
Weakness
Weather Changes - Temperature or Seasonal
Weight Loss or Gain
Not all people have all symptoms or at any one given point in time... Your brain randomly sends mixed / wrong messages to your brain.
http://www.healthatoz.info/diseases/dysautonomia.htm
Bring as many NOTES as possible with you to your first appointment. Write things down that you wouldn't think would be revelent but in fact is.
Autonomic is a small fiber nerve issue.
My doctor says... his most difficult job is to find everybody out there... these patients are in all of these "other specialist" offices, randomly going from one specialist to another... and his job then is to undo everything all of these patients have previously been told (other diagnoses) and give them ONE NAME for it all! It's because for instance, Fibro, Chronic Fatigue and GBS, etc... all effect the "autonomic nerve - small fiber nerves" patients are given all of these other "titles", when in fact that it's all related. Other doctors aren't seeing the autonomic nerve system as the BIG picture.
i want to bring this info to my neuro and hopefully she'll find it helpful as well.
is there a certain site that decribes this all succinctly?
yes, neuropathy can come from many different conditions. the one thing that connects these conditions is the brain and nervous system, and/or the immune system thru some type of injury/inflammation from brain damage, exposure to toxins or viruses, etc. thanks for helping me connect the dots by providing this info.