Autonomic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy disrupts the nerves governing autonomic bodily functions, impacting systems like body temperature, blood pressure and bladder control.

Damage to the autonomic nervous system may affect the heart, circulatory system and sweat glands. While diabetes is a common cause, infections or medications can also increase your risk of developing autonomic neuropathy. Symptoms and treatments vary based on the affected nerves and the underlying cause.

At Aurora Health Care, our specialists use cutting-edge diagnostic tests to address the underlying cause and create autonomic neuropathic treatment plans to fit your needs.

Symptoms of autonomic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy symptoms can vary depending on the affected nerves and may include problems with heart rate and blood pressure, difficulties in digestion, urinary problems, sexual issues and sweat abnormalities.

Other symptoms may encompass changes in body temperature, troubles with vision, and difficulties in managing blood glucose levels.

Common autonomic neuropathy symptoms may include:

• Abnormal heart rate
• Blurred vision
• Changes in blood pressure
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Difficulty adjusting to light/dark changes
• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty emptying the bladder or incontinence
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive sweating or lack of sweating
• Fainting or lightheadedness upon standing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with body temperature regulation, leading to intolerance to heat or cold
• Sexual dysfunction
• Shallow breathing
• Trouble emptying your stomach

Symptoms may differ among individuals, and the intensity could be influenced by the degree of nerve damage.

Autonomic neuropathy can also be associated with various underlying conditions, such as diabetes, autoimmune diseases or certain types of infections.

Causes and risk factors of autonomic neuropathy

Persistently elevated blood sugar levels inflict gradual nerve damage, leading to various neuropathies like mononeuropathy or peripheral neuropathy.

Beyond diabetes, autonomic neuropathy can emerge from:

• Autoimmune diseases: Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may induce nerve damage affecting autonomic functions.
• Infections: Conditions like Lyme disease, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C pose infection-related risks for autonomic neuropathy.
• Genetics: Genetic predisposition can render some individuals more susceptible to neuropathic conditions, including autonomic neuropathy.
• Exposure to toxins: Environmental toxins or occupational hazards can damage nerves, contributing to autonomic neuropathy.
• Alcoholism: Chronic alcohol abuse can adversely impact bodily functions regulated by the autonomic nervous system.
• Other Medical Conditions: Conditions like Parkinson's disease is linked to autonomic neuropathy.

Identifying the underlying condition is vital for accurate diagnosis and management. Your doctor's comprehensive exam will pinpoint the specific cause, to create a treatment strategy to effectively manage autonomic neuropathy.

Diagnosing autonomic neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy may emerge as a potential complication associated with various health conditions. Therefore, the specific tests your provider may use for an autonomic neuropathy diagnosis depends on your symptoms and risk factors.

If you already face risks of developing autonomic neuropathy, such as risk factors like diabetes or undergoing cancer treatments, your doctor will regularly check for check you for symptoms of autonomic neuropathy.

When symptoms appear without identified risk factors, the diagnostic journey becomes more complicated. Your Aurora provider may recommend specific tests to assess autonomic functions, encompassing:

• Ultrasound: In cases involving bladder symptoms, an ultrasound of the urinary tract may be recommended by your provider.
• Tilt-table test: One of the more common tests for autonomic neuropathy, your provider checks blood pressure and heart rate reactions to posture changes, simulating transitions from lying to standing.
• Thermoregulatory sweat test: Tracking sweat pattern changes under gradually increasing temperatures to aid in diagnosing altered sweating causes.
• Gastrointestinal tests: For digestive concerns, specialized tests like gastric-emptying tests overseen by a gastroenterologist may be suggested.
• Autonomic function tests: Evaluating heart rate and blood pressure responses during breathing exercises.
• Urinalysis: A series of tests to evaluate bladder function for individuals experiencing urinary symptoms.

Treatment options for autonomic neuropathy

Aurora Health Care is committed to guiding you through each phase of treating autonomic neuropathy.

Effectively managing autonomic neuropathy involves a personalized, collaborative approach tailored to your unique needs and symptoms.

Prioritizing the treatment of underlying conditions is vital to improving quality of life. For example, if diabetes is in the equation, controlling blood sugar levels through medication, lifestyle adjustments and vigilant monitoring becomes pivotal.

Symptom management is equally crucial. Prescription medications may be recommended to alleviate specific concerns like blood pressure fluctuations, digestive issues or urinary dysfunction.

For those dealing with mobility challenges, physical therapy offers tangible benefits for living with autonomic neuropathy. Therapeutic exercises can enhance muscle strength and overall physical function.

It’s important to make regular appointments with your doctor so they can regularly monitor symptoms and adjust treatments.