Autonomic neuropathy is a condition that arises when the nerves controlling the normal functioning of involuntary body functions are injured. Some of these involuntary functions include blood pressure, sexual function, digestion, temperature control, and bladder function and so on. When the nerves have damaged the flow of message transferred from the brain to different organs are interrupted. This ultimately leads to various health problems.
How To Diagnose Autonomic Neuropathy?
Autonomic neuropathy is a side effect or complication caused as a result of various diseases. The tests prescribed for diagnosing this problem majorly depends on the symptoms and the associated risk factors.
Diagnosis With Risk Factors
Patients who suffering from diabetes or any other health problem can create favorable conditions for significantly increasing the possibility for developing autonomic neuropathy risk factors. Then in this condition, doctors perform a physical examination of the patient and also inquire about the symptoms faced for diagnosing autonomic neuropathy. If the patient is undergoing or has undergone treatment for cancer, where the drug used is known for causing nerve damage, the doctors look for the possible symptoms of the same to confirm the health problem.
Diagnosis Without Risk Factors
Patients experiencing the symptoms of nerve damage but have no risk factors, then the process of diagnosis becomes more intense. Doctors study the medical background of the patient, ask them about the symptoms they are experiencing and also perform the physical examination. Doctors may also prescribe some tests to evaluate and confirm the presence of autonomic neuropathy. The lists of tests include: Breathing Test: This test helps to measure the heart rate and the blood pressure while performing severe heavy exercises in which forceful exhaling is involved. Gastrointestinal Test: This is one of the most common and effective tests for identifying the digestive abnormalities, which include such as delay in the digestion process and in cleaning the stomach. This test is not performed by any physical practitioner, instead; only gastroenterologist i.e. doctors holding specialization in digestive disorders perform this test. Thermoregulatory Sweat Test: In this test, the body of patients is covered with a thick coat of a specific powder, which changes color when patient sweat. Then they are asked to stay for some time in a chamber in which the temperature is closely increased, this initiate sweating. The sweat pattern actually helps in diagnosing the presence of autonomic neuropathy. In addition, it also helps to identify the varying causes for the decrease or increase of sweating. Tilt-Table Test: This test helps in identifying how the body responds to fluctuating blood pressure and heart rate with changing positions and postures, like when the patient is standing or lying down. While performing the test, the patient is asked to lie down on a table, which is then moved up and down to create variation in the body posture. Normally, when the blood pressure is dropped, then the body has a tendency to narrow blood vessels and increase the heart rate to compensate for the condition. This process gets slow down or becomes restrictive if the patient is suffering from autonomic neuropathy. Another test that helps in identifying is to ask the patient to stand straight for a minute and then perform squats for a minute. In between monitoring the fluctuation in the blood pressure and the heart rate for any abnormality. Ultrasound: If the patient suffers from an abnormality related to bladder functioning, then the doctor may prescribe undergoing an ultrasound. In this test, a sound wave of high-frequency is used for creating different images of the bladder and other parts closed organs of the urinary tract.
What Is The Best Medicine For Autonomic Neuropathy?
Diabetes is considered one of the major causes of autonomic neuropathy. In addition, the infection can also lead to autonomic neuropathy. There are some strong medications that can also nerve damage. As the cause of this problem varies from one patient to another, so the medication and the treatment approach also varies depending on the type of nerve damaged.
Also Read:
- Can Autonomic Neuropathy Go Away On Its Own & What Are It’s Natural Remedies?
- Is Autonomic Neuropathy A Serious Condition & Can It Be Reversed?
- What Are The Symptoms Of Autonomic Neuropathy & How Do You Test For It?
- Who Is At Risk For Autonomic Neuropathy & Is There A Blood Test For It?
- Best Exercises/Activities For Autonomic Neuropathy
- Home Remedies For Autonomic Neuropathy
- Is There A Surgery For Autonomic Neuropathy?
