What is autonomic neuropathy?

Autonomic neuropathy occurs when the nerves that control the body's automatic functions are damaged. Diabetes is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy, but other causes include other diseases, infections, and certain medications. The symptoms and treatment of this pathology must depend on the type of nerve damage.

Autonomic neuropathy is a group of conditions caused by damage to the nerves that control the body's automatic functions. These nerves are part of the autonomic nervous system that controls many different body functions, including:
Body temperature Blood pressure Heart rate Digestion Urinating bowel movements Damage to these nerves affects the signals between the brain and other organs in the body, leading to a variety of symptoms.

Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy depend on the type of nerve affected and include:
Dizziness and fainting when standing due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. Urinary problems, such as difficulty initiating urination, urinary incontinence, difficulty feeling the bladder full, and inability to empty the bladder completely, can lead to urinary tract infections. Sexual difficulties, including problems achieving or maintaining an erection (also known as erectile dysfunction) or problems with ejaculation in men. In women, common problems include vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and difficulty reaching orgasm. Difficulty digesting food, such as feeling full quickly, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn, are all caused by changes in digestive function. People don't realize low blood sugar because there are no warning signs, such as tremors or hunger. Irregular sweating, such as sweating too much or too little, affects the body's ability to regulate temperature. Exercise intolerance, which occurs if a person's heart rate stays the same instead of adjusting to increased activity levels.

There are many conditions that can cause autonomic neuropathy or autonomic neuropathy as a side effect of treatments for other conditions, like cancer. Some common causes of autonomic neuropathy include:
Abnormal protein build-up in organs (amyloidosis deposition disease) leading to effects on organs and nervous system. Autoimmune disease, in which a person's immune system attacks and damages parts of the body, including nerves. Examples include Sjogren's syndrome, acute systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rapidly progressive autoimmune disease that can affect autonomic nerves. Paraneoplastic syndrome Diabetes, especially when the patient has poor glucose control, is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy. Several drugs are used in cancer chemotherapy. Some infectious diseases. Certain viruses and bacteria, poisoning, Lyme disease and HIV, can cause autonomic neuropathy. Some genetic disorders.

Factors that may increase the risk of autonomic neuropathy include:
Diabetes. Diabetes, especially when poorly controlled, increases the risk of autonomic neuropathy and damage to other nerves. Other diseases. Amyloidosis, porphyria, hypothyroidism, and cancer (often as a side effect of treatment) may also increase the risk of autonomic neuropathy.

Although some genetic diseases that put you at risk for autonomic neuropathy cannot be prevented, you can slow the onset or progression of symptoms by taking care overall health and good management of existing diseases.
Follow your doctor's advice on a healthy lifestyle to control the disease, including:
Have good control of your blood sugar if you have diabetes. Limit alcohol consumption and do not smoke. Adhere to treatment if you have an autoimmune disease. Take measures to prevent or control hypertension. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Exercise regularly.

The doctor will mainly treat the disease that causes nerve damage, for example, if you have diabetes, you need to control your blood sugar with diet, exercise and possibly medication. For autoimmune diseases, like Sjogren's syndrome, you'll need medication to control your immune system and reduce inflammation in your body.
In addition, the doctor will treat other symptoms caused by nerve damage such as:
To treat digestive symptoms:
Change in diet. Patients should eat small meals throughout the day, so they will not feel too full. Add fluids and fiber to your diet to prevent bloating and constipation. Extra use of laxatives can help with constipation and other medications can treat diarrhea and abdominal pain. When sleeping, the patient should raise the head of the bed to prevent heartburn. To treat urinary symptoms:
The patient should set a time to urinate and monitor water intake during the day. Use the medicines Oxybutynin (Ditropan XL) and tolterodine (Detrol) to prevent the bladder muscle from contracting too often. Bethanechol helps patients to urinate more easily to empty the bladder. Using a urinary catheter placed in the bladder helps the patient empty the bladder. To treat sweating problems:
Several medications can help people sweat less, including glycopyrrolate (Robinul, Robinul Forte) and botulinum toxin. To treat cardiovascular symptoms and blood pressure:
Use medicines that increase blood pressure, such as fludrocortisone or midodrine and pyridostigmine. Taking medications to control your heart rate such as beta-blockers can help get your heart rate back to normal. Stand up slowly to avoid getting dizzy. Eat more salt and drink more water in your diet to help raise blood pressure. However, you should only do this if your doctor advises you to do it. To treat sexual symptoms:
Medications such as sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn) can help men achieve and maintain an erection. Women can try using water-based lubricants to keep the vagina moist and prevent painful sex. Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the hospitals that not only ensures professional quality with a team of leading doctors, modern equipment and technology, but also stands out for its examination and consulting services. and comprehensive, professional medical treatment; civilized, polite, safe and sterile medical examination and treatment space.

Articles refer to the source: mayoclinic.org