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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffAutonomic neuropathy can be caused by a large number of diseases and conditions or as a side effect of treatment for diseases unrelated to the nervous system. Some common causes of autonomic neuropathy include:
- Alcoholism, a chronic, progressive disease that can lead to nerve damage.
- Abnormal protein buildup in organs (amyloidosis), which affects the organs and the nervous system.
- Autoimmune diseases, in which your immune system attacks and damages parts of your body, including your nerves. Examples include Sjogren's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Autonomic neuropathy may also be caused by an abnormal attack by the immune system that occurs as a result of some cancers (paraneoplastic syndrome).
- Diabetes, which is the most common cause of autonomic neuropathy, can gradually cause nerve damage throughout the body.
- Multiple system atrophy, a degenerative disorder that leads to loss and malfunction of some portions of the central nervous system.
- Injury to nerves caused by surgery or trauma.
- Treatment with certain medications, including some drugs used in cancer chemotherapy and anticholinergic drugs, sometimes used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and overactive bladder.
- Other chronic illnesses, such as Parkinson's disease and HIV/AIDS.
References
- Freeman R. Autonomic peripheral neuropathy. Neurologic Clinics. 2007;25:277.
- Stevens MJ. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 29, 2010.
- Autonomic neuropathy. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/neuropathy/autonomic-neuropathy.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Masharani U, et al. Pancreatic hormones and diabetes mellitus. In: Gardner DG, et al. Greenspan's Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2633151. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Diabetic neuropathies: The nerve damage of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/DM/pubs/neuropathies/. Accessed Feb. 21, 2010.
- Boulton AJM, et al. Diabetic neuropathies: A statement from the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:956.
- Disorders of the autonomic nervous system. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2906166. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Vink AI. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes Care. 2003;26:1553.
- Autonomic nervous system. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec16/ch208/ch208a.html. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Ma J, et al. Diabetic gastroparesis: Diagnosis and management. Drugs. 2009;69:971.
- Bethanechol (prescribing information). Minneapolis, Minn.: Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc.; 2005. http://www.upsher-smith.com/PDFs/bethanechol.pdf. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Robinul and Robinul Forte (prescribing information). Atlanta, Ga.: Sciele Pharma, Inc.; 2006. http://www.shionogipharma.com/PI/Robinul%20PI.pdf. Accessed Feb. 22, 2010.
- Bansal V, et al. Diabetic neuropathy. Post Graduate Medical Journal. 2006;82:95.
- Sandroni P (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 1, 2010.
- Detrol (prescribing information). New York, N.Y.: Pharmacia and Upjohn; 2009. http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_detrol_la.pdf. Accessed March 8, 2010.
- Ditrol (prescribing information). Raritan, N.J.: Ortho McNeil Pharmaceuticals; 2008. http://www.ortho-mcneilpharmaceutical.com/sites/default/files/shared/pi/Lg%20Ditropan%20PI.pdf#zoom=100. Accessed March 8, 2010.
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