Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy refers to damage to the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary body functions such as:

• Heart rate
• Perspiration
• Blood pressure
• Digestion

Autonomic neuropathy is not a single condition. Rather, it is a complication or side-effect caused by disrupted signals between the brain and the nervous system.

Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

General symptoms of this condition may include:

• Inability to sweat properly, leading to heat intolerance
• Loss of bladder control, leading to infection or incontinence
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting because of a loss of control over blood pressure
• Diarrhea, constipation or incontinence related to nerve damage in the intestines or digestive tract
• Difficulty eating or swallowing
• Life-threatening symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or irregular heartbeat

Often, the symptoms affect a certain system in the body:

Cardiovascular Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy can damage the nerves of the cardiovascular system, affecting heart rate and blood pressure:

• Blood pressure may drop sharply after you sit or stand, causing a feeling of lightheadedness.
• Heart rate may remain high or too low instead of fluctuating with body functions and exercise.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

Damage to the nerves of the digestive system can cause:

• Constipation (sometimes alternating with diarrhea)
• Difficulty swallowing
• Gastroparesis, a condition in which the stomach empties too slowly, causing nausea, vomiting, bloating and loss of appetite. This condition can cause blood sugar levels to fluctuate greatly.

Urinary and Sexual Symptoms of Autonomic Neuropathy

A person with autonomic neuropathy can have problems with urination and sexual function:

• Bladder infections: Nerve damage can prevent the bladder from emptying completely, which can lead to bladder infections.
• Urinary incontinence: This may develop because a person may not be able to sense when the bladder is full.
• Erectile problems: Men may have problems having an erection due to damage to nerves that cause an erection. A separate problem, damage to the penis, may also cause erectile problems.
• Vaginal dryness: A woman may have problems with vaginal dryness, arousal or orgasm.

Sweating Due to Autonomic Neuropathy

Damage to the nerves that control sweating means that you may have trouble regulating your body temperature. Night sweats or sweating while eating also may occur.