What are the symptoms of dysreflexia?

Symptoms include:

• A pounding headache.
• A flushed face and/or red blotches on the skin above the level of spinal injury.
• Sweating above the level of spinal injury.
• Nasal stuffiness.
• Nausea.
• A slow heart rate (bradycardia).
• Goose bumps below the level of spinal injury.
• Cold, clammy skin below the level of spinal injury.

What triggers autonomic dysreflexia?

Autonomic dysreflexia can occur on a daily basis and can be triggered by stimuli such as distension of the bladder (most common), bladder or kidney stones, a kink in a urinary catheter, infection of the urinary tract, fecal impaction, pressure sores, an ingrown toenail, fractures, menstruation, hemorrhoids, invasive …

How do you treat autonomic dysreflexia?

If you feel you have autonomic dysreflexia:

1. Sit up straight, or raise your head so you are looking straight ahead.
2. Loosen or take off any tight clothing or accessories.
3. Empty your bladder by draining your Foley catheter or using your catheter.
4. Use digital stimulation to empty your bowel.

What is the most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia?

The most common cause of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is spinal cord injury. The nervous system of people with AD over-responds to the types of stimulation that do not bother healthy people.

Why does autonomic dysreflexia only occur above T6?

Patients with lesions above T6 are most susceptible to autonomic dysreflexia because the large splanchnic blood vessels are supplied by sympathetic fibres carried within T6 to T10 nerve roots.

What happens if autonomic dysreflexia is left untreated?

If left untreated, autonomic dysreflexia can cause seizures, retinal hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, and, ultimately, death. Complications associated with autonomic dysreflexia result directly from sustained, severe peripheral hypertension.

Why does autonomic dysreflexia occur above T6?

How quickly does autonomic dysreflexia occur?

Patients usually develop autonomic dysreflexia one month to one year after their injury. However, it has also been described in the first days or weeks after the original trauma. Objectively, an episode is defined as an increase in systolic blood pressure of 25 mm Hg.

Can a full bladder cause autonomic dysreflexia?

Autonomic Dysreflexia Causes Something as simple as a full bladder or an ingrown toenail can be enough to send your nerve responses into overdrive. Other things that can set off the condition include: Constipation. Kidney stones.

Which are characteristics of autonomic dysreflexia?

Autonomic dysreflexia. Autonomic dysreflexia is an abnormal, overreaction of the involuntary (autonomic) nervous system to stimulation. This reaction may include: Change in heart rate. Excessive sweating. High blood pressure. Muscle spasms. Skin color changes (paleness, redness, blue-gray skin color)

What diseases affect the autonomic nervous system?

Autonomic disorders are neurological diseases in which the autonomic nervous system ceases to function properly. Some examples include: Small fiber neuropathy. Large fiber neuropathy. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) Shy-Drager syndrome.

What are the symptoms of autonomic neuropathy?

Signs and symptoms of autonomic neuropathy depend on the nerves affected. They might include: Dizziness and fainting when standing, caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure ( orthostatic hypertension ).

What is autonomic hyperreflexia?

Autonomic Hyperreflexia. Basically, Autonomic Hyperreflexia is a situation in which the autonomic nervous system gets hyperactive and this may be caused by some external stimuli.