What is Neuropathy

According to the latest survey, more than 20 million Americans are suffering from diabetics and most of them will develop neuropathy in one form or another during their lifetime. One kind is autonomic neuropathy. It targets the nerves that made up our autonomic nervous system. The effect of this disease depends on the kind of autonomic nerves that are damaged.

When the damage happens in the cardiovascular system, the effect is a fluctuation of the blood pressure. The blood pressure shoots up when a person suddenly stand up from a sitting position causing the person to feel lightheaded. Blood pressure also tends to fluctuate even if the person is not doing any physical activity.

When the nerves in the gastrointestinal system are damaged, a person may show different problems their digestion such as constipation and diarrhea (alternating), gastropareis (a digestive problem where the stomach digests food very slowly), bloating, apetite loss and vomiting.

The organs of the excretory system of a body can have problems when a person develops autonomic neuropathy in the nerves of the said system. A person can develop urinary incontinence and infection in the bladder. Heavy sweating even while sitting or asleep is another effect of the disease.

When the nerves of the reproductive system are damaged, a person will experience problems in their sexual performance. The nerves that cause the erection of the penis don’t work and women experience dryness of vagina.

A diabetic person who doesn’t take care of their health may develop several effects of autonomic neuropathy. Some patients have problems with digestion, sexual performance and sweating at the same time. When a person has diabetes, they should never be negligent of their health because once diabetes is controlled then autonomic neuropathy is also controlled.