Question 1

would autonomic dysfunction/damage be easily diagnosed/recognized by a doctor? if so what symptoms would be apparent?

Accepted Answer

Autonomic dysfunctio: not an easy diagnosis. Autonomic system consists of 2 components , sympathetic and  parasympathetic. Both systems work in opposition through various receptors and neurotransmitters. Dysfunction of autonomic system may affect multiple systems of the body producing various symptoms. An internist with good understanding of autonomic nervous system can pin point the problem

Question 2

how do they test for autonomic dysfunction? what doctor?

Accepted Answer

Several ways: Ways to test for dysautonomia include a thermoregulatory sweat test, tilt table testing, gastric emptying testing, urodynamics, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (qsart), and labs looking for autoantibodies such as autonomic ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibody (ab), ganglionic receptor ab, ganglioside ab, antibodies to presynaptic channels, and antineuronal ab. A neuro doc can help.

Question 3

how can i slow down my small bowel transit time to gain weight (doctor says mine is going way to fast) ... he says the underlying reason is autonomic dysfunction.

Accepted Answer

Vinegar: 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
in 8 ounces of water two to three times
a day should slow down transit and improve any reflux symptoms.  Absorption and cellular health of the small bowel can be improved by taking 2-4 grams of glutamine daily.

Question 4

autonomic dysfunction causes my pulmonary hypertension, if treated is it still fatal?

Accepted Answer

Interesting: I have not seen Autonomic Dysfunction as a cause of PHTN.  I would have expected to see that you have gone through much more extensive testing than your record details before one comes to that conclusion. Your question is best reserved for a specialist in PHTN and the doc who has been ordering your tests / making the diagnoses.

Question 5

how is autonomic dysfunction treated?

Accepted Answer

Multiple options: For a review see http://health.Nytimes.Com/health/guides/disease/autonomic-neuropathy/overview.Html.Various strategies may be used to reduce symptoms of light-headedness or dizziness when standing. These include:
extra salt in the diet or taking salt tablets to increase fluid volume in blood vessels
fludrocortisone or similar medications to help your body retain salt and fluid.More...

Question 6

can high blood pressure in pots. a dysatanoumia be treated with arbs if bp fluctuates too much? or is autonomic dysfunction a contradiction ? can low bp cause blood clots ?

Accepted Answer

: In treating labile hypertension of the elderly, which is felt to be caused by autonomic dysfunction, blood pressures can be all over the place. We have them
check their BP&amp; pulse rate lying down( which may be the highest BP for them, sitting &amp; standing &amp; then determine the day's dose which may vary day to day.,I favor lowest dose of amlodipine&amp;adjust if BP climbs. With POTS, sleep semi supine.

Question 7

how does dysautonomia or autonomic dysfunction cause pneumonia? does it actually?

Accepted Answer

Not directly: but inability to clear the lungs may occur LEADING to infection. BTW, THERE ARE MANY FORMS of dysautonomia...thus a "general" answer is impossible to give..... Hope this is a bit helpful!
Dr Z

Question 8

my pupils are generally always large, can this be related to my autonomic dysfunction? why are they so large?

Accepted Answer

Fight or flight: response includes elevated hear rate, elevated BP. dilated pupils drying up of secretions and increased blood flow to skin and muscle. This is due to activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Anticholinergic drugs do the same thing.

Question 9

can i take hydroxycut gumimes with autonomic dysfunction? my dr not calling me back so i guess it's ok to try it

Accepted Answer

Not shown to be: effective by FDA. Plus most products contain caffeine (discuss with your doctor weather or not you can take caffeine with the type of autonomic dysfunction you have.)
In 2009 Hydroxycut was pulled from the shelves because an ingredient caused liver failure and rhabdomyolysis. They have re-introduced a new formula since then but as I should remind you there has been no formal scientific study

Question 10

have you ever heard or seen a patient  suffering with an autonomic dysfunction, which seems to be related directly with their bowels?

Accepted Answer

Yes: But just to clarify what you're really asking. First, I'm a neurologist. I see lots of things which appear to have NOTHING to do with the nervous system but then, they do. So that's not so new....but are you asking whether or not I've seen a case of Autonomic Dysfunction manifest SOLELY or FIRSTLY as Bowel dysfunction?  That's an interesting question. Wanna chat? www.healthtap.com/drsaghafi

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Doctor answers about:

Doctors in new england who treat autonomic dysfunction

A member asked:

Would autonomic dysfunction/damage be easily diagnosed/recognized by a doctor? if so what symptoms would be apparent?

A member asked:

How do they test for autonomic dysfunction? what doctor?

A member asked:

How can i slow down my small bowel transit time to gain weight (doctor says mine is going way to fast) ... he says the underlying reason is autonomic dysfunction.

A member asked:

Autonomic dysfunction causes my pulmonary hypertension, if treated is it still fatal?

A member asked:

How is autonomic dysfunction treated?

A member asked:

Can high blood pressure in pots. a dysatanoumia be treated with arbs if bp fluctuates too much? or is autonomic dysfunction a contradiction ? can low bp cause blood clots ?

A member asked:

How does dysautonomia or autonomic dysfunction cause pneumonia? does it actually?

A member asked:

My pupils are generally always large, can this be related to my autonomic dysfunction? why are they so large?

A member asked:

Can i take hydroxycut gumimes with autonomic dysfunction? my dr not calling me back so i guess it's ok to try it

A member asked:

Have you ever heard or seen a patient suffering with an autonomic dysfunction, which seems to be related directly with their bowels?

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