Dysautonomiarefers to a group of disorders involving nerves that control heart rate, breathing, and other involuntary functions.
Dysautonomia can be difficult to diagnose, in part because symptoms are linked to a range of health issues.
Some causes are common, such asneuropathiesthat occur with diabetes.
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Others are rare genetic disorders.
Symptoms occur when theautonomic nervous system(ANS) doesnt send or receive nerve signals as it should.
Symptoms and the Autonomic Nervous System
The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls involuntary body processes.
Dysautonomia symptoms are specific to the ANS dysfunction.
They can include:
Not all people will experience the same symptoms of dysautonomia.
There are many causes of dysautonomia that can be broadly classified as being primary or secondary.
Primary Dysautonomia
Primary dysautonomia occurs on its own in the absence of any other disease.
An inherited form of dysautonomia, known as Riley-Day syndrome, was first described in 1949.
In later years,genetic testingidentified this as an inherited form of familial dysautonomia.
Secondary Dysautonomia
Secondary dysautonomia is the malfunction of the ANS due to another disease.
Also known as intrinsic dysautonomia, it takes place if a disease damages the nerves of the ANS.
Types of Primary Dysautonomia
Researchers have identified at least 15 distinct types of primary dysautonomia.
Some are common and may affect millions of people worldwide.
Others are rare and may only be seen in certain groups.
NCS causes fainting spells that occur either occasionally or frequently.
It is a feature of neurocardiogenic syncope and other forms of dysautonomia that causes dizziness and fainting spells.
When this does not occur as it is supposed to, fainting can occur.
NCS is thought to affect tens of millions of people worldwide.
The condition is also sometimes triggered by stress, dehydration, alcohol, and overheated environments.
Other symptoms include:
FD is a rare condition that mainly affects people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Symptoms commonly develop during childhood.
Symptoms of MSA include:
MSA is a rare condition that is commonly mistaken for Parkinson’s disease.
The cause of MSA is unknown but does not appear to be genetic.
What scientists have found is that certain parts of the brain break down over time in people with MSA.
MSA progresses rapidly and is often fatal.
Sudden death often occurs during sleep.
It is sparked by the excessive accumulation of a protein calledsynucleinthat helps transmit nerve signals.
The cause of the accumulation is unknown.
The buildup of synuclein is seen with other conditions such as Parkinson’s disease.
The disorder may progress and lead to multiple symptom atrophy (MSA) in some people.
The prognosis for dysautonomia varies by the cause.
Death is often the result ofpneumonia,acute respiratory failure, orsudden cardiac arrest.
Managing Symptoms
For people with primary dysautonomia, the treatment is focused on managing symptoms.
The options can vary by the condition and the key in and severity of symptoms involved.
Examples include:
Testing for Dysautonomia
Diagnostic testing depends on the throw in.
Some people have primary dysautonomia in which there is a problem with the ANS itself.
Others have secondary dysautonomia resulting from an underlying disease or medical condition.
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