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Dysautonomia
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?
There is no cure for dysautonomia. Secondary forms may improve with treatment
of the underlying disease. In many cases treatment of primary dysautonomia is
symptomatic and supportive. Measures to combat orthostatic hypotension include
elevation of the head of the bed, frequent small meals, a high-salt diet, and
drugs such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ephedrine.
What is the prognosis?
The outlook for patients with dysautonomia depends on the particular
diagnostic category. Patients with chronic, progressive, generalized
dysautonomia in the setting of central nervous system degeneration have a
generally poor long-term prognosis. Death can occur from pneumonia, acute
respiratory failure, or sudden cardiopulmonary arrest in such patients.
What research is being done?
The NINDS supports and conducts research on dysautonomia. This research aims
to discover ways to diagnose, treat, and, ultimately, prevent these disorders.
Organizations
National Dysautonomia Research Foundation
P.O. Box 301
Red Wing, MN 55066-0301
ndrf@ndrf.org
http://www.ndrf.org
Tel: 651.267.0525
Fax: 651.267.0524
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 1968
(55 Kenosia Avenue)
Danbury, CT 06813-1968
orphan@rarediseases.org
http://www.rarediseases.org
Tel: 203.744.0100 Voice Mail 800.999.NORD (6673)
Fax: 203.798.2291
Dysautonomia Foundation
315 W. 39th Street, Suite 701
New York, NY 10018
info@familialdysautonomia.org
http://www.familialdysautonomia.org
Tel: 212.279.1066
Fax: 212.279.2066
Familial Dysautonomia Hope Foundation, Inc. (FD Hope)
121 South Estes Drive, Suite 205-D
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-2868
info@fdhope.org
http://www.fdhope.org
Tel: 919.969.6636
Shy-Drager/Multiple System Atrophy Support Group, Inc.
P.O. Box 279
Coupland, TX 78615
http://www.shy-drager.org
Tel: 866.SDS.4999 (737.4999)
Fax: 512.251.3315
Dysautonomia Youth Network of America, Inc.
1301 Greengate Court
Waldorf, MD 20601
info@dynakids.org
http://www.dynakids.org
Tel: 301.705.6995
Fax: 301.638.DYNA
Source: National Institutes of Health; National Institute of
Neurological Disorders and Stroke NINDS
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