Autonomic neuropathy hits many body functions
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/autonomic-neuropathy/MY01359
- With Mayo Clinic diabetes educators
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
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Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Nancy Klobassa Davidson and Peggy Moreland
Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., B.S.N, C.D.E
Nancy Klobassa Davidson is a registered nurse who has worked in diabetes education for 17 years. She is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) and is currently in graduate school working on a Master of Science in nursing (M.S.N.) and health care education.Nancy works with adults who have type 1, type 2 and other forms of diabetes. Nancy is coordinator of the Diabetes Unit's intensive insulin therapy program within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Nancy has worked extensively with insulin pump therapy and continuous interstitial glucose sensing.
Peggy Moreland, R.N., M.S.N.
Peggy Moreland is a certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.) in the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, & Nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.Peggy graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing and Health Care Education from the University of Phoenix and is a member of the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Diabetes Association. A certified diabetes educator (C.D.E.), Peggy enjoys working with patients to set and achieve diabetes self-management goals.
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July 13, 2010
Autonomic neuropathy hits many body functions
By Nancy Klobassa Davidson, R.N., and Peggy Moreland, R.N.
Autonomic neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects involuntary body functions such as digestion, perspiration, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, and changes in the way your eyes adjust to light.
Symptoms include:
- Bladder problems, including frequent urinary tract infections or urinary incontinence
- Digestive problems, such as bloating, belching and abdominal pain
- Constipation, uncontrolled diarrhea or combination of the two
- Slow stomach emptying (gastroparesis), leading to nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite
- Erectile dysfunction, which affects more than half the men with diabetes who are age 60 or older
- Vaginal dryness and other sexual difficulties in women
- Decreased or increased sweating
- Inability of your body to adjust blood pressure and heart rate, leading to sharp drops in blood pressure after sitting or standing (orthostatic hypotension)
- Problems regulating your body temperature
- Changes in the way your eyes adjust from light to dark
- Heart rate irregularities and silent heart attacks (the nerves that warn of a potential heart attack may not be working properly, causing no chest pains)
As you can see from the above list, autonomic neuropathy involves multiple systems in your body's functions, from the top of your head to the tip of your toes. Multiple treatments are generally required.
Make sure you have a good yearly physical exam for your diabetes and that your health care provider assesses you for neuropathies.
What are some of your experiences with autonomic neuropathy?
Regards and have a great week.
Nancy
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