How Can You Diagnose Autonomic Neuropathy

How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - Autonomic neuropathy occurs when a nerve that controls the functions of the body isn't aware of damaged. This can affect the blood pressure, temperature control, digestive, bladder function and even sexual function.

Nerve damage disrupts the messages sent between the brain and other organs and the autonomic nervous system, such as the heart, blood vessels, and sweat glands.

While diabetes is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy, other health conditions — even infections – can be blamed. Some medications can also cause nerve damage. Symptoms and treatment vary based on the damaged nerves.

Autonomic Neuropathy Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy depend on the affected nerve. They may include:

Dizziness and fainting while standing, caused by a decrease in blood pressure suddenly (orthostatic hypertension).
Urinary problems, such as difficulty initiating urination, incontinence, it's hard to feel the full bladder and the inability to completely empty the bladder, which can cause urinary tract infections.
Sexual difficulties, including problems achieving or maintaining an erection (erectile dysfunction) or the problem of premature ejaculation in men. In women, the problem of including dryness of the vagina, low libido, and difficulty reaching orgasm.
Difficulty digesting food, such as feeling full after a few bites of food, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing and heartburn are all due to digestive function.
The inability to recognize the low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), because of warning signals, such as becoming shaky, no.
Sweat disorders, like sweating too much or too little, that affected the ability to regulate body temperature.
The reaction of the pupils is sluggish, making it difficult to adjust from light to dark and see well when driving at night.
Exercise intolerance, which can happen if Your heart rate remains the same rather than adjust to Your level of activity.

Search medical treatment immediately if you begin to have the signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy, especially if you have uncontrolled diabetes well. How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - If you suffer from type 2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends annual autonomous neuropathy screening begins when you receive the diagnosis. For people with type 1 diabetes, the Association recommends that annual screening, beginning five years after diagnosis.

The Cause of Autonomic Neuropathy

Many health conditions can cause autonomic neuropathy. This can also be a side effect of treatment for other diseases, such as cancer. Some common causes of autonomic neuropathy include:

The buildup of abnormal proteins in the organs (Amyloidosis), which affects the organs and the nervous system.
An autoimmune disease, in which your immune system attacks and damage parts of your body, including your nerves.Models incorporate Sjogren's disorder, foundational lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid joint pain, and celiac illness. Guillain-Barre syndrome is an autoimmune disease that occurs quickly and can affect an autonomic nervous.
Strange assault by the safe framework that happens because of a few malignant growths (paraneoplastic disorder) can likewise cause autonomic neuropathy.
Diabetes, particularly with poor glucose control, is the most widely recognized reason for autonomic neuropathy. Gradually can cause damage to nerves throughout the body.
Certain meds, incorporating a few medications utilized in malignant growth chemotherapy.
Certain infectious diseases. Some viruses and bacteria, such as botulism, Lyme disease, and HIV, may cause autonomic neuropathy.
Congenital disorders. Certain hereditary disorders can cause autonomic neuropathy.

Autonomic Neuropathy Risk factors

Factors that can increase the risk of autonomic neuropathy include:

Diabetes. Diabetes, especially when not controlled, increases the risk of neuropathy and Autonomic nerve damage etc. You are at the greatest risk if you have trouble controlling blood sugar.
Other diseases. Porphyria, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, and cancer (usually due to side effects of the medication) can also increase the risk of autonomic neuropathy.

The Prevention of Autonomic Neuropathy

Although certain congenital disease that makes you risk exposure to the autonomic neuropathy cannot be prevented, You can slow the onset or development of symptoms by keeping your health in General and manage your medical condition. How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - Follow your doctor's advice about a healthy lifestyle to control diseases and conditions, which may include these recommendations:

Control of your blood sugar if you suffer from diabetes.
Avoid alcohol and smoking.
Get the right treatment if you have an autoimmune disease.
Find a way to avert or control hypertension.
Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.

How Can You Diagnose Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic Neuropathies are possible complications of the disease, and the number of tests you'll need depends on the symptoms and risk factors of your autonomic neuropathy.

If you have a condition that increases the risk of autonomic neuropathy, such as diabetes, and have symptoms of the condition, the doctor will perform a physical examination and ask your symptoms. How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - If you undergo cancer treatment with a drug that is known to cause nerve damage, your doctor will check for signs of neuropathy.

If you have symptoms of autonomic neuropathy but there are no risk factors, diagnosis can be more involved. Your doctor probably will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms and performing a physical examination.

Your doctor may recommend a test to evaluate the autonomic functions, including:

Respiratory tests. These tests measure how heart rate and blood pressure during exercise you respond like exhale forcibly (Valsalva maneuver).
Tilting table tests. These tests monitor the response of blood pressure and heart rate to changes in posture and position, simulating what happens when You stand up after lying down. You lie on your back on the table, which is then tipped to lift the upper part of your body. Normally, your body is narrow the blood vessels and increases the heart rate to compensate for the decrease in blood pressure. This response may be slowed or abnormal if you suffer from autonomic neuropathy. A simple test for this response involves standing for a minute, then squatting for one minute and then stand up again while the blood pressure and heart rate are monitored.
Digestive tests. The gastric emptying test is the most common test to check for abnormalities such as gastrointestinal digestion is slow and delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis). These tests are usually performed by a doctor who specializes in digestive disorders (gastroenterology).
The quantitative sudomotor Axon reflex test. This test assesses how the nerves that direct Your perspiration organs react to incitement. A small electrical current passing through the capsule that was placed in the lower arm, upper and lower limbs, while computers analyze the response of your sweat glands and nerve. You may feel warmth or tingling sensation during the test.
The sweat test is thermoregulated. You coated powder that changes color when sweating. While lying in a room with temperatures slowly rise, digital photos documenting the results when you start sweating. Your sweat patterns may help confirm the diagnosis of autonomic neuropathy or suggest other causes is reduced or increased perspiration.
Function tests urinalysis and bladder (urodynamics). If you have signs and symptoms of bladder or urinary, a series of tests of urine and bladder can evaluate bladder function.
Ultrasound. If you have the signs and symptoms of the bladder, your doctor may do an ultrasound in which high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the bladder and other parts of the urinary tract.

Autonomic Neuropathy Treatment

Autonomic neuropathy treatments include:

Treat the underlying disease. The first goal of treatment is to manage autonomic neuropathy disease or conditions that damage your nerves. For example, if the underlying causes are diabetes, you need to control your blood sugar with tight to prevent the development of autonomic neuropathy. About half of the time, there was no fundamental cause for Autonomic Neuropathies are found.
Manage specific symptoms. Some treatments can relieve symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. Treatment is based on which part of the body most affected by nerve damage.

The symptoms of the digestive (gastrointestinal)

Your doctor may recommend:

Dietary changes. You may need to increase the fiber and liquid food. A fiber supplement such as Metamucil, Citrucel, or can also help. Increase fiber slowly to avoid gas and bloating.
Medication to help your stomach empty. A prescription drug called metoclopramide (Reglan) helps your stomach empty faster by increasing the contraction of the digestive tract. This medicine may cause drowsiness and is not recommended for long-term use.
A drug to relieve constipation. Laxatives sold free can help relieve constipation. Ask your specialist how frequently you should utilize a diuretic.
Medications to relieve diarrhea. Antibiotics can help treat diarrhea by preventing excessive growth of bacteria in the gut, and drug-free Antidiarrhoeal sold may be beneficial.

Urinary symptoms

Your doctor may recommend:

Your bladder retraining. Follow the schedule when to drink fluids and when urinating can help improve Your bladder capacity and train Your bladder to return completely empty at the right time.
Medicine to help empty the bladder. Bethanechol (Duvoid) is a prescription that guarantees total bladder exhausting. Possible side effects include a headache, abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, and redness.
Help urinary (cardiac). A cylinder is guided through Your urethra to exhaust Your bladder.
Drugs that reduce overactive bladder. These include tolterodine (Detrol), oxybutynin or similar drugs. Conceivable symptoms incorporate dry mouth, migraine, weariness, obstruction, and stomach torment.

Sexual dysfunction

For men with erectile brokenness, your specialist may suggest:

A drug that enables an erection. Drugs such as sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), vardenafil (Levitra) and tadalafil (Adcirca, Cialis) can help you achieve and maintain an erection. Possible side effects include a headache, abdominal pain, redness and changes in color vision. How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - If you have a history of heart disease, arrhythmias, stroke, or high blood pressure, use this medication with caution? Avoid taking any medication also if you are taking any type of nitrate organics. Search medical help immediately if you experience an erection lasting more than four hours.
External vacuum pump. This device helps draw blood to the penis using hand pumps. Blood helps keep the tension ring firmly in place, maintain an erection for up to 30 minutes.

For ladies with sexual side effects, your specialist may suggest:

Vaginal lubricant to reduce dryness and make sexual intercourse more convenient and enjoyable.
Flibanserin (Addy) for women with low sexual desire premenopausal.

The rhythm of the heart and the blood pressure symptoms

Autonomic neuropathy can cause a number of problems of heart rate and blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe:

Medications to increase your blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy when standing up, the doctor may suggest fludrocortisone. This medicine helps your body resist salt, which helps regulate your blood pressure. Other drugs that can help improve your blood pressure including midodrine (Orvaten) and pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol). Droxidopa (Northera) can also help increase blood pressure. Midodrine and droxidopa can cause hypertension when resting.
A drug to regulate Your heartbeat. A class of drugs called beta blockers helps regulate Your heartbeat if too high a level of activity.
A diet high in salt, high-fluid. If your blood pressure goes down when you stand, a diet high in salt and lots of fluids can help keep your blood pressure. This is generally only recommended for cases of severe blood pressure problems because this treatment can cause blood pressure that is too high or the swelling in the feet, ankles or feet and may not be used in patients with failed the heart.

Sweating

If you're sweating too much, the doctor will likely prescribe:

A drug that reduces perspiration. Glikopirrolat (Cuvposa, Robinul, Robinul Forte, other) can reduce sweat. Side effects may include diarrhea, dry mouth, urinary retention, blurred vision, changes in heart rate, headache, loss of taste and drowsiness. How can you diagnose autonomic neuropathy - Glikopirrolat can also increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, such as heat shock, of the reduced ability to perspire.
A medical procedure to cut the nerves in the perspiration organ. It's also possible to remove the sweat glands but only in a small area with increased sweat, like palms.