Autonomic Neuropathy Follow-up
- Author: Steven D Arbogast, DO; Chief Editor: Nicholas Lorenzo, MD more...
Deterrence/Prevention
Maneuvers to avoid complications of orthostatic hypotension, particularly falls in elderly patients, as described above, are important to avoid further associated morbidity.
Bladder and gastrointestinal difficulties must be monitored to prevent anuria and bowel obstruction.
Patients with hypohidrosis/anhidrosis must be cautious in warm climates to avoid excessive heat, preventing heat stroke.
Foot care is essential in patients with small-fiber neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy. Patients should be instructed to test temperatures with a sensitive limb and to avoid trauma that could have ulcerative complications.
Patients with dry mouth should be instructed to seek regular dental checkups and be instructed about proper methods of oral hygiene.
Patients with dry eyes should be given advice regarding proper hydration of the eyes to avoid conjunctival difficulties.
Complications
Many complications of autonomic neuropathy exist, as described above. The most severe are cardiac arrest, cardiac dysrhythmia, blood pressure fluctuations, and risk of cerebral and cardiac ischemia
Prognosis
The prognosis depends on the particular syndrome causing autonomic neuropathy. In many cases, the course is gradually progressive in nature. In specific cases, the prognosis may be improved by controlling diabetes mellitus, limiting alcohol intake, and treating correctable syndromes or diseases as applicable to prevent progression. In the case of acute autonomic neuropathies, such as acute pandysautonomia and GBS, the prognosis is often good after resolution of the acute illness.
Patient Education
Patient education begins in the primary care office or with the neurologist as a consultant. Discussion of the following simple questions should be encouraged:
What is autonomic neuropathy?
Autonomic neuropathy is damage to nerves controlling many everyday body activities. It can be caused by a number of different diseases, each of which affects the nerves forming the autonomic nervous system. Some of the functions regulated by the autonomic nervous system are control of heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, bladder function, bowel function, sweating, and even breathing. These are unconscious vital functions important to the body.
How does it occur?
Different diseases may damage the nervous system, which includes the autonomic nervous system. The most common of these diseases is probably diabetes mellitus, but other diseases of nerves can do this as well.
What are the symptoms?
- Lightheadedness and low blood pressure upon rising, which can lead to unconsciousness in severe cases
- Heart-rate variability
- Heart-rhythm variability with irregular beats
- Lack of tears within the eyes
- Lack of saliva
- Feeling full earlier than expected with a meal
- Nausea and vomiting
- Problems with swallowing
- Constipation, which if severe can result in bowel obstruction
- Diarrhea
- Incontinence of bladder and bowel functions
- Urgency of bladder (rushing to the bathroom)
- Problems with penile erection
- Lack of sweating
How is it treated?
In many cases, no specific treatment is available for autonomic neuropathy. In some cases, such as with diabetes mellitus, the best approach is to control the diabetes to prevent progression. In mild cases, changes in diet, sleeping position, and nonmedicinal changes can help some patients. In more severe cases, drugs can be used to maintain blood pressure to prevent fainting. Medications can help with bladder function and erectile function.
How can a patient take care of him or herself?
- Avoid rising too quickly.
- Drink water regularly if standing blood pressure falls too much.
- Follow physician guidelines about how to treat specific symptoms.
- Avoid excessive alcohol intake, which may reduce blood pressure and lead to a neuropathy, which can worsen the autonomic problems.
- Men who have trouble having erections should talk to their health care providers. Medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil can help a man achieve and maintain an erection. In some cases, prosthetic devices or other devices to assist in erection may be useful.
How long will the effects last?
In most cases, autonomic neuropathy is permanent. It may become worse as the disease progresses. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms of the disease, or to prevent disease progression when possible.
Where can further information be obtained?
- eMedicine's Brain and Nervous System Center, Kidneys and Urinary System Center, and Immune System Center.
- eMedicine's patient education articles Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Bladder Control Problems, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
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| HSAN | Mode of Inheritance | Onset | Symptoms | Signs |
| Type I | Autosomal dominant, point mutations in SPT, 9q22.1-9q22.3 | Second decade of life | Distal lower-limb involvement, ulceration of the feet, particularly the soles | Low sensory action potential amplitude |
| Type II, Morvan disease | Autosomal recessive | Congenital onset | Pansensory loss of upper and lower limbs, also trunk and forehead; early ulcers | Loss of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers |
| Type III, Riley-Day syndrome or familial dysautonomia) | Autosomal recessive, 9q31 | Childhood onset, predominantly Ashkenazi Jews | Pallor in infancy, irregularities in temperature and blood pressure; Difficulties in eating and swallowing | Absence of unmyelinated fibers |
| Type IV | Autosomal recessive, 1q21-1q22 | Congenital onset | Widespread anhidrosis, lost sense of pain, mental retardation | Loss of myelinated and small unmyelinated fibers |
| Type V | Autosomal recessive | Congenital onset | Pain insensitivity in extremities | Not applicable |

