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Dysautonomia Synonym(s): Reviewed 2-25-2003 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Dysautonomia?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations Related NINDS Publications and Information What is Dysautonomia? Dysautonomia refers to a disorder of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function. Most physicians view dysautonomia in terms of failure of the sympathetic or parasympathetic components of the ANS, but dysautonomia involving excessive ANS activities also can occur. Dysautonomia can be local, as in reflex sympathetic dystrophy, or generalized, as in pure autonomic failure. It can be acute and reversible, as in Guillain-Barre syndrome, or chronic and progressive. Several common conditions such as diabetes and alcoholism can include dysautonomia. Dysautonomia also can occur as a primary condition or in association with degenerative neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease. Other diseases with generalized, primary dysautonomia include multiple system atrophy and familial dysautonomia. Hallmarks of generalized dysautonomia due to sympathetic failure are impotence (in men) and a fall in blood pressure during standing (orthostatic hypotension). Excessive sympathetic activity can present as hypertension or a rapid pulse rate. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
Dysautonomia Foundation
Familial Dysautonomia Hope, Inc. (FD Hope)
Shy-Drager/Multiple System Atrophy Support Group, Inc. Related NINDS Publications and Information
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