Autonomic Neuropathy

Autonomic Neuropathy

If you live with diabetes, you may be familiar with the numbness and pain that are the hallmark of peripheral neuropathy, or nerve damage. But most diabetes patients are unfamiliar with the more insidious form of diabetes-related nerve damage known as autonomic neuropathy.

The autonomic nervous system controls the involuntary functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, bladder function, digestion, vision, salivation, and perspiration. Autonomic neuropathy can be more difficult to recognize and to diagnose because it attacks and damages the nerves that control organ and glandular systems, short-circuiting bodily functions rather than causing pain or obvious numbness.

Autonomic neuropathy can cause a wide spectrum of diverse and non-specific symptoms, including incontinence, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, and excessive perspiration. Unfortunately, these are also common signs of a number of medical conditions, which makes autonomic neuropathy particularly difficult to detect. Often, a diagnosis isn't made until organ damage has occurred.

The Types of Autonomic Neuropathy

Cardiovascular Autonomic Neuropathy
Although it can cause severe cardiovascular problems and sudden death, surveys show that only 2% of people with diabetes are tested for cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN).

Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis, sometimes called delayed stomach emptying, is caused by nerve damage to the digestive tract. In addition to causing gastrointestinal distress, gastroparesis can also have a major impact on blood glucose levels. Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, reflux, weight loss, heartburn, and early satiety (or feeling of fullness). Management of gastroparesis in people with diabetes can be difficult, but there are several drug options and investigational devices available for treatment.