Dysautonomia

Revision as of 02:00, 9 August 2012 by WikiBot (talk | contribs) (Bot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} + & -{{EJ}} + & -{{EH}} + & -{{Editor Join}} + & -{{Editor Help}} +))
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Dysautonomia
ICD-10 G90
MeSH D001342

WikiDoc Resources for Dysautonomia

Articles

Most recent articles on Dysautonomia

Most cited articles on Dysautonomia

Review articles on Dysautonomia

Articles on Dysautonomia in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Dysautonomia

Images of Dysautonomia

Photos of Dysautonomia

Podcasts & MP3s on Dysautonomia

Videos on Dysautonomia

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Dysautonomia

Bandolier on Dysautonomia

TRIP on Dysautonomia

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Dysautonomia at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Dysautonomia

Clinical Trials on Dysautonomia at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Dysautonomia

NICE Guidance on Dysautonomia

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Dysautonomia

CDC on Dysautonomia

Books

Books on Dysautonomia

News

Dysautonomia in the news

Be alerted to news on Dysautonomia

News trends on Dysautonomia

Commentary

Blogs on Dysautonomia

Definitions

Definitions of Dysautonomia

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Dysautonomia

Discussion groups on Dysautonomia

Patient Handouts on Dysautonomia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Dysautonomia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Dysautonomia

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Dysautonomia

Causes & Risk Factors for Dysautonomia

Diagnostic studies for Dysautonomia

Treatment of Dysautonomia

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Dysautonomia

International

Dysautonomia en Espanol

Dysautonomia en Francais

Business

Dysautonomia in the Marketplace

Patents on Dysautonomia

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Dysautonomia

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]


Overview

Dysautonomia is any disease or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This includes postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), neurocardiogenic syncope, mitral valve prolapse dysautonomia, pure autonomic failure, multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager syndrome), Autonomic Instability and a number of lesser-known disorders.

In some cases, dysautonomia results in a reduction in the ability of the heart and circulatory system to compensate for changes in posture, causing dizziness or syncope (fainting) when one, e.g., stands suddenly. In other cases, the heart may race (tachycardia) for no apparent reason (known as Inappropriate sinus tachycardia), or the kidneys may fail to properly retain water (diabetes insipidus).

The effects of dysautonomia may be minor, only limiting the patient's activities slightly, or they may be totally disabling, leaving the patient bedridden.

History

In the nineteenth and earlier twentieth centuries, a diagnosis that was almost solely given to women was called "neurasthenia," or a "weak nervous system." These women would present symptoms of fatigue, weakness, dizziness and fainting, and the doctor's orders would simply be bed rest. Some of these women died, while many others recovered. No one understood where the problems came from.

Nowadays, diagnostic criteria and treatment for various forms of dysautonomia have sharpened, and doctors have realized that some men have it, too.

Causes

Causes of dysautonomias include viral illness, genetic factors, exposure to chemicals, pregnancy, autoimmune disorders, and a trauma or injury which damages the autonomic nervous system.

Treatment

There is no cure for dysautonomia. There are medications to assist in stabilization, but are often needed on a long-term basis. Secondary forms may improve with treatment of the underlying disease. In many cases treatment of primary dysautonomia is symptomatic and supportive. Measures to combat orthostatic intolerance include elevation of the head of the bed, frequent small meals, a high-salt diet, fluid intake, and compression hose. Drugs such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, ephedrine, and SSRIs can also be used to treat symptoms. Treating dysautonomia can be difficult. Treatment that helps one individual may actually worsen the symptoms of another. Often drugs and measures that are helpful are found through trial and error.

Prognosis

The outlook for patients with dysautonomia depends on the particular diagnostic category. Patients with chronic, progressive, generalized dysautonomia in the setting of central nervous system degeneration have a generally poor long-term prognosis. Death can occur in young children and the elderly. Younger patients can die from pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, or sudden cardiopulmonary arrest.

There is some evidence that dysautonomia may be a factor in SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

References

See also

External links

Template:WikiDoc Sources