Autonomic neuropathy

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Autonomic Nerves

Central nervous system

Neuropathy - autonomic

• Swollen abdomen
• Heat intolerance , induced by exercise
• Nausea after eating
• Vomiting of undigested food
• Early satiety (feeling full after only a few bites)
• Unintentional weight loss of more than 5% of body weight
• Male impotence
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Dizziness that occurs when standing up
• Blood pressure changes with position
• Urinary incontinence (overflow incontinence)
• Difficulty beginning to urinate
• Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
• Fainting
• Abnormal sweating

Inspection of the abdomen may show distention, and listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope ( auscultation ) may show abnormal sounds indicating decreased gastric motility.

An eye examination may show sluggish pupil reaction. Examination by touch (palpation) or tapping (percussion) may indicate a distended bladder. Blood pressure examination may show a decrease upon standing (postural hypotension).

Occasionally, other symptoms may indicate disturbed functioning of the autonomic nervous system, including high blood pressure, rapid or slow heart rate, irregular heart rhythms, excessive sweating, difficulty swallowing, or other symptoms.

Special measurements of sweating and heart rate are called "autonomic testing" and can assist in diagnosis and treatment.

• An upper GI (gastrointestinal) examination with small bowel series may show decreased motility, delayed emptying of the stomach, or other abnormalities and may be used to rule out physical obstruction as a cause of vomiting or other GI symptoms.
• An EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy) is used to rule out physical obstruction as a cause of GI symptoms.
• An isotope study may indicate gastroparesis (decreased gastric motility).
• A VCUG (voiding cystourethrogram) or other tests of bladder function may show a flaccid bladder (inability of the bladder to contract and empty).

Review Date: 09/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.