The autonomous nervous system
Autonomic nervous system disorders can affect any part or process of the body. These can be reversible or progressive.
The autonomic nervous system (SNA) regulates certain bodily processes, such as blood pressure and respiratory rate. This system works automatically (autonomously), without the conscious effort of a person. The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
Anatomy of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions. It receives the information provided by the internal organs, including blood vessels, stomach, intestine, liver, kidneys, bladder, genitals, lungs, pupils, heart and digestive glands and acts accordingly .
After the autonomic nervous system receives information about the body and the external environment, it responds by stimulating the bodily processes. Usually, through sympathetic division, or inhibiting them through parasympathetic division.
Functions of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system controls internal processes of the body such as the following:
Digestion.
Urination.
Defecation.
Sexual response
Blood pressure.
Body temperature.
Heart and respiratory rate.
Metabolism (which affects body weight).
The balance of water and electrolytes (such as sodium and calcium).
The production of body fluids (saliva, sweat and tears).
The autonomic nervous system (SNA) regulates certain bodily processes, such as blood pressure and respiratory rate. This system works automatically (autonomously), without the conscious effort of a person. The autonomic nervous system has two main divisions: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system.
Anatomy of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary actions. It receives the information provided by the internal organs, including blood vessels, stomach, intestine, liver, kidneys, bladder, genitals, lungs, pupils, heart and digestive glands and acts accordingly .
After the autonomic nervous system receives information about the body and the external environment, it responds by stimulating the bodily processes. Usually, through sympathetic division, or inhibiting them through parasympathetic division.
Functions of the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system controls internal processes of the body such as the following:
Digestion.
Urination.
Defecation.
Sexual response
Blood pressure.
Body temperature.
Heart and respiratory rate.
Metabolism (which affects body weight).
The balance of water and electrolytes (such as sodium and calcium).
The production of body fluids (saliva, sweat and tears).
Many organs are controlled mainly by sympathetic or parasympathetic division. Sometimes the two divisions have opposite effects in the same organ. For example, the sympathetic division increases blood pressure and the parasympathetic division decreases it. In general, the two divisions work together to ensure that the body responds appropriately to different situations.
The sympathetic division prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations (fight or flight). Therefore, the sympathetic division increases the heart rate and strength of the contractions of the heart and expands (dilates) the airways to facilitate breathing. It causes the body to release stored energy. Muscular strength increases. This division also causes the palms to sweat, the pupils to dilate and the hair to stand on end. It decreases bodily processes that are less important in emergencies, such as digestion and urination.
For its part, the parasympathetic division controls the body process during ordinary situations. In general, the parasympathetic division preserves and restores. It decreases the heart rate and decreases blood pressure. Stimulates the digestive tract to process food and eliminate waste. The energy of processed foods is used to restore and build tissues.
Autonomic disorders
The autonomic disorders can be the result of damage to the autonomic nerves or those parts of the brain that help control body processes. It should be noted that such damages can occur on their own, without a clear cause. The common causes of autonomic disorders are diabetes (the most common cause), peripheral nerve disorders, aging and Parkinson's disease. Other less common causes include autonomic neuropathies, multisystem atrophy, spinal cord disorders, and certain drugs.
symptom
In men, erectile dysfunction can be an early symptom of an autonomic disorder. Autonomic disorders usually cause dizziness or lightheadedness due to an excessive decrease in blood pressure when a person stops (orthostatic hypotension). People may sweat less or nothing and, therefore, become intolerant of heat. The eyes and mouth may be dry.
After eating, a person with an autonomic disorder may feel prematurely full or even vomit because the stomach empties very slowly (gastroparesis). Some people suffer from urinary incontinence, usually because the bladder is overactive. Other people have urine retention because the bladder is not active. Constipation may occur, or the control of bowel movements may be lost. The pupils can not dilate and contract with changes in light sistema nervioso central .
The sympathetic division prepares the body for stressful or emergency situations (fight or flight). Therefore, the sympathetic division increases the heart rate and strength of the contractions of the heart and expands (dilates) the airways to facilitate breathing. It causes the body to release stored energy. Muscular strength increases. This division also causes the palms to sweat, the pupils to dilate and the hair to stand on end. It decreases bodily processes that are less important in emergencies, such as digestion and urination.
For its part, the parasympathetic division controls the body process during ordinary situations. In general, the parasympathetic division preserves and restores. It decreases the heart rate and decreases blood pressure. Stimulates the digestive tract to process food and eliminate waste. The energy of processed foods is used to restore and build tissues.
Autonomic disorders
The autonomic disorders can be the result of damage to the autonomic nerves or those parts of the brain that help control body processes. It should be noted that such damages can occur on their own, without a clear cause. The common causes of autonomic disorders are diabetes (the most common cause), peripheral nerve disorders, aging and Parkinson's disease. Other less common causes include autonomic neuropathies, multisystem atrophy, spinal cord disorders, and certain drugs.
symptom
In men, erectile dysfunction can be an early symptom of an autonomic disorder. Autonomic disorders usually cause dizziness or lightheadedness due to an excessive decrease in blood pressure when a person stops (orthostatic hypotension). People may sweat less or nothing and, therefore, become intolerant of heat. The eyes and mouth may be dry.
After eating, a person with an autonomic disorder may feel prematurely full or even vomit because the stomach empties very slowly (gastroparesis). Some people suffer from urinary incontinence, usually because the bladder is overactive. Other people have urine retention because the bladder is not active. Constipation may occur, or the control of bowel movements may be lost. The pupils can not dilate and contract with changes in light sistema nervioso central .
Diagnosis
Doctors can check for signs of autonomic disorders during the physical examination. A tilt table test can be performed to check how the blood pressure and heart rate change when the position is changed. Blood pressure is also measured continuously while the person is performing a Valsalva maneuver (trying to exhale forcefully without letting air escape through the nose or mouth, similar to an effort during bowel movement).
The sweat test is also performed. For this, the sweat glands are stimulated by electrodes that are filled with acetylcholine and placed on the legs and forearm. Then, sweat volume is measured to determine if sweat production is normal. In the thermoregulatory sweating test, a dye is applied to the skin and the person is placed in a closed and heated compartment to stimulate sweating. The sweat causes the dye to change color.
Treatment of the cause (if identified)
The conditions that may be contributing to the autonomic disorder are evaluated. If these conditions are not identified or can not be treated, the focus is on alleviating the symptoms. By applying some simple measures and certain medications (if necessary) some symptoms of autonomic disorders can be alleviated. These measures come to be the following:
Sweating reduced or absent. For this symptom it is useful to avoid warm environments.
Orthostatic hypotension. People are advised to raise the head of the bed approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) and get up slowly.
Wearing a compression or support garment, such as an abdominal folder or compression stockings, can help.
Consuming more salt and water helps maintain blood volume in the bloodstream and, therefore, blood pressure.
Urinary retention. If urinary retention occurs because the bladder can not contract normally, people can be taught to insert a catheter (a thin rubber tube) through the urethra and into the bladder.
The catheter allows the urine retained in the bladder to drain, providing relief.
Constipation. A diet high in fiber and stool softeners is recommended. If constipation persists, enemas may be necessary.
Erectile dysfunction. In general, the treatment consists of medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil taken orally.
Constriction devices (bands and rings placed at the base of the penis) or vacuum devices are sometimes used.
Doctors can check for signs of autonomic disorders during the physical examination. A tilt table test can be performed to check how the blood pressure and heart rate change when the position is changed. Blood pressure is also measured continuously while the person is performing a Valsalva maneuver (trying to exhale forcefully without letting air escape through the nose or mouth, similar to an effort during bowel movement).
The sweat test is also performed. For this, the sweat glands are stimulated by electrodes that are filled with acetylcholine and placed on the legs and forearm. Then, sweat volume is measured to determine if sweat production is normal. In the thermoregulatory sweating test, a dye is applied to the skin and the person is placed in a closed and heated compartment to stimulate sweating. The sweat causes the dye to change color.
Treatment of the cause (if identified)
The conditions that may be contributing to the autonomic disorder are evaluated. If these conditions are not identified or can not be treated, the focus is on alleviating the symptoms. By applying some simple measures and certain medications (if necessary) some symptoms of autonomic disorders can be alleviated. These measures come to be the following:
Sweating reduced or absent. For this symptom it is useful to avoid warm environments.
Orthostatic hypotension. People are advised to raise the head of the bed approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) and get up slowly.
Wearing a compression or support garment, such as an abdominal folder or compression stockings, can help.
Consuming more salt and water helps maintain blood volume in the bloodstream and, therefore, blood pressure.
Urinary retention. If urinary retention occurs because the bladder can not contract normally, people can be taught to insert a catheter (a thin rubber tube) through the urethra and into the bladder.
The catheter allows the urine retained in the bladder to drain, providing relief.
Constipation. A diet high in fiber and stool softeners is recommended. If constipation persists, enemas may be necessary.
Erectile dysfunction. In general, the treatment consists of medications such as sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil taken orally.
Constriction devices (bands and rings placed at the base of the penis) or vacuum devices are sometimes used.