What is Neuropathy

Autonomic neuropathy is a kind of peripheral neuropathy that targets the nerves of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a series of nerves that has to do with the functioning of internal organs that we don’t control. They are digestion, cardiovascular, urinary, perspiration and reproductive organs. When a person has autonomic neuropathy, any of the nerves in the ANS is diagnosed to be damaged.

People with diabetes are the most common patients who develop autonomic neuropathy. It is not yet known how the disease damages the nerves but doctors believe that it has to do with the sugar glucose. There are other people who get the disease such as those who are alcoholic, those who are receiving treatment for cancers and those who have other diseases relating to the nerves.

Internal organs that can be affected because of the damage to the nerves are the eyes, heart, liver, intestines, kidney, urinary bladder, genitals and the glands that produce perspiration.

The symptoms depend on what area of ANS the disease targeted. For example, if the nerves to the digestive system are damaged, the symptom is decrease in the ability in the transportation of food in the digestive tract. When the nerves of the blood vessels are damaged, the symptom is sudden increase in blood pressure when a person suddenly stands up.

Although this disease is long-term, it is non-threatening. It is diagnosed by way of ruling out other causes of the symptoms. For example, if a person manifests decrease in motility (the transportation of food in the digestive system), the doctors will perform several tests to see if it is caused is by another thing. If that other thing is ruled out and they cannot find any other thing that might cause the symptom then they will diagnose it to be autonomic neuropathy.