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Dysautonomia is a broad term that describes any disease or malfunction of the autonomic nervous system. This includes postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), vasovagal syncope, mitral valve prolapse dysautonomia, pure autonomic failure, autonomic instability and a number of lesser-known disorders. Other disorders, such as multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager syndrome)[1] and chronic fatigue syndrome,[2] have dysautonomia as one of several system malfunctions. Dysautonomia is also associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and Marfan syndrome for reasons that are not fully understood.
Symptoms of dysautonomia are numerous and vary widely from person to person. Since dysautonomia is a full-body condition, a large number of symptoms may present that can greatly alter a person’s quality of life. Each patient with dysautonomia is different – some are affected only mildly while others are left completely bedridden and disabled.
The primary symptoms that present in patients with dysautonomia are:
Other symptoms frequently associated with dysautonomia include: headaches, pallor, malaise, facial flushing, urinary retention, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, visual disturbances, orthostatic hypotension, and in some cases loss of consciousness and seizures. [3]
Causes of dysautonomias are not fully understood, but they are thought to include:
There is no cure or treatment for dysautonomia. Medications are used to stabilize the condition on a long-term basis. Benzodiazepines can be used for some of the physical problems such as anxiety. In many cases treatment of primary dysautonomia is symptomatic and supportive. Measures to combat orthostatic intolerance include elevation of the head of the bed, frequent small meals, a high-salt diet, fluid intake, and compression hose. Drugs such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, ephedrine and SSRIs can also be used to treat symptoms. Treating dysautonomia can be difficult. Treatment that helps one individual may actually worsen the symptoms of another. Often drugs and measures that are helpful are found through trial and error.
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