Autonomic Neuropathy in Diabetics
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I have been throwing up constantly for the last two months. At first I thought I had a bug or something. Then I started having a sore throat and severe abdominal pain along with body pains, lower back pain, and muscle cramps. At first it was on and off, and then it started to be annoying. After awhile I was worried all the time about what was happening to me. Sometimes I would eat my lunch or dinner, and after an hour for no apparent reason I would throw up with no warning at all. I felt dizzy and unstable. At this point in time I researched about common gastrointestinal problems in diabetics. Most of the symptoms I associated with my GI system. I read about how autonomic neuropathy could contribute to many conditions including the GI system.
Autonomic neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects the involuntary body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, perspiration and digestion. When the autonomic nerves are damaged they disrupt the signals that go between the brain and nervous system that works with different bodily organs including involuntary functions.
Major symptoms of autonomic neuropathy include:
a. dizziness/fainting due to lowered blood pressure
b. urinary problems such as incontinence, inability to empty bladder, or starting the urination which eventually lead to bladder infections
c. sexual difficulties
d. digestion process problems including slow stomach emptying, diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation, gastroparesis, nausea, vomiting and heartburn
e. sweating
f. sluggish pupil reaction causing difficulty to the pupil to adjust to light or darkness
g. exercise intolerance where the heart rate remains unchanged
(mayoclinic.com)
The American Diabetic Association recommends testing for autonomic neuropathy as follows:
a. screening every year for type 2 diabetics soon after diagnosis
b. screening five years after diagnosis for type 1 diabetics.
Causes of autonomic neuropathy also include:
a. alcoholism
b. abnormal protein buildup
c. auto immune disease
d. diabetes (the most common cause)
e. injury to the nerves due to trauma or surgery
f. medications
g. chronic illnesses
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A lot of pharmaceutical, agricultural and even some cosmetis or household products can cause autonomic neuropathy, to a geater or lesse extent, but in some cases the damage can be irreversible. Thank you for this article.
June 13, 2011 - 9:54amThis Comment