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What Is Autonomic Neuropathy?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015
Question: How familiar are you with Autonomic Neuropathy - absolutely not diabetic...?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (50 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
part of the peripheral nervous system

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

There are different aspects of the nervous system. In general , nerves are present in the brain and spinal cord, nerves are sent out from these areas to the various aspects of the body.

The nerves in the brain and spinal cord are part of the central nervous system and the nerves outside of these areas are part of the peripheral nervous system.

The autonomic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system. It regulates or is involved in the function of the organs of the body. Its function is involuntary and reflex action in response to changes in the body.

It is involved in functions in the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, some of the muscles, helps regulate temperature, the eyes, the genital urinary tract (bladder, kidneys, reproductive organs).

Causes of abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system are:
(1)trauma
(2)parkinsons disease
(3)other nerve degeneration diseases such as alzheimers, ALS , XXXXXXX
(4)vitamin b12 deficiency
(5)alcohol related nerve disease- wernicke
(6)diabetes
(7)multiple sclerosis
(8)some cancers
(9)vascular diseases- diseases of blood vessels
(10)hyperlipedemia- in some persons high cholesterol levels can play a role
(11)side effect of medications
(12)some infections such as HIV, leprosy, lyme disease
(13)severe kidney disease

The cause would be determined based on history, physical findings and tests.
There are tests that would able to assess the different organd

I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (17 minutes later)
My Dr. at XXXXXXX Presbyterian in New York City has determined that I have small fiber neuropathy through skin biopsy - the amount of my small fiber nerves has been diminished to about 1/3 of normal. They have nothing to say to me that will be helpful because my neuropathy is "idiopathic" - they have done testing and cannot determine the reason why my nerves are fewer than normal. What in the HECK am I supposed to do? Why is the medical community not able to identify the cause, and not able to help me? Specifically - I do NOT want this deterioration of my nerves to continue...
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
may be a second opinion is warranted

Detailed Answer:
HI

It may be possible that a second opinion by another neurologist may be helpful to see if a cause can be determined.

This person may or may not be able to find a cause.

IN some persons the cause is not found unfortunately . At the moment medicine has not identified every cause for all the various conditions, some disease are still some what of a mystery. I am sorry about that.

It is quite understandable not to want any additional changes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Is Autonomic Neuropathy?

Brief Answer: part of the peripheral nervous system Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic There are different aspects of the nervous system. In general , nerves are present in the brain and spinal cord, nerves are sent out from these areas to the various aspects of the body. The nerves in the brain and spinal cord are part of the central nervous system and the nerves outside of these areas are part of the peripheral nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system. It regulates or is involved in the function of the organs of the body. Its function is involuntary and reflex action in response to changes in the body. It is involved in functions in the heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, some of the muscles, helps regulate temperature, the eyes, the genital urinary tract (bladder, kidneys, reproductive organs). Causes of abnormal function of the autonomic nervous system are: (1)trauma (2)parkinsons disease (3)other nerve degeneration diseases such as alzheimers, ALS , XXXXXXX (4)vitamin b12 deficiency (5)alcohol related nerve disease- wernicke (6)diabetes (7)multiple sclerosis (8)some cancers (9)vascular diseases- diseases of blood vessels (10)hyperlipedemia- in some persons high cholesterol levels can play a role (11)side effect of medications (12)some infections such as HIV, leprosy, lyme disease (13)severe kidney disease The cause would be determined based on history, physical findings and tests. There are tests that would able to assess the different organd I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions