Autonomic disorders

What is the autonomic nervous system?

The ANS provides the connection between your brain and certain body parts, including internal organs. For instance, it connects to your heart, liver, sweat glands, skin, and even the interior muscles of your eye.

The ANS includes the sympathetic autonomic nervous system (SANS) and the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS). Most organs have nerves from both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems.

The SANS usually stimulates organs. For example, it increases heart rate and blood pressure when necessary. The PANS usually slows down bodily processes.

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What is autonomic dysfunction?

Autonomic dysfunction develops when the nerves of the ANS are damaged. This condition is called autonomic neuropathy or dysautonomia. Autonomic dysfunction can range from mild to life-threatening. It can affect part of the ANS or the entire ANS. Sometimes the conditions that cause problems are temporary and reversible. Others are chronic, or long term, and may continue to worsen over time.

Diabetes and Parkinson’s disease are two examples of chronic conditions that can lead to autonomic dysfunction.

Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction

Autonomic dysfunction can affect a small part of the ANS or the entire ANS. Some symptoms that may indicate the presence of an autonomic nerve disorder include:

dizziness and fainting upon standing up, or orthostatic hypotension
an inability to alter heart rate with exercise, or exercise intolerance
sweating abnormalities, which could alternate between sweating too much and not sweating enough
digestive difficulties, such as a loss of appetite, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, or difficulty swallowing
urinary problems, such as difficulty starting urination, incontinence, and incomplete emptying of the bladder
sexual problems in men, such as difficulty with ejaculation or maintaining an erection
sexual problems in women, such as vaginal dryness or difficulty having an orgasm
vision problems, such as blurry vision or an inability of the pupils to react to light quickly

How is autonomic dysfunction treated?

Your doctor will treat autonomic dysfunction by addressing the symptoms. If an underlying disease is causing the problem, it’s important to get it under control as soon as possible.

Often, orthostatic hypotension can be helped by lifestyle changes and prescription medication. The symptoms of orthostatic hypotension may respond to:

elevating the head of your bed
drinking enough fluids
adding salt to your diet
wearing compression stockings to prevent blood pooling in your legs
changing positions slowly
taking medications like midodrine

Nerve damage is difficult to cure. Physical therapy, walking aids, feeding tubes, and other methods may be necessary to help treat more severe nerve involvement.

Coping and support

Finding support to help you cope with autonomic dysfunction can be just as important for improving quality of life as managing physical symptoms.

Methods for coping and improving quality of life include the following:

Depression can occur with autonomic dysfunction. Therapy with a qualified counselor, therapist, or psychologist can help you cope.
Ask your doctor or therapist about support groups in your area. They’re available for different conditions.
You may find that you have more limitations than before your diagnosis. Set priorities to help you make sure you’re doing the things that are important to you.
Accept help and support from family and friends if you need it.

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