 | | | | Medical Health Encyclopedia | |
Autonomic hyperreflexia
Definition:
Autonomic hyperreflexia is a reaction of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system to over-stimulation. This reaction may include high blood pressure, change in heart rate, skin color changes (pallor, redness, blue-grey coloration), and profuse sweating. Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Text Continues Below
The most common cause of autonomic hyperreflexia is spinal cord injury. Stimuli which are otherwise tolerated in healthy people (such as filling of the urinary bladder) create an excessive response from the patient's nervous system. Other causes include medication side effects, illicit use of stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamine (which enhance the effects of adrenaline in the body), Guillain-Barre syndrome (a severe form of paralysis which can lead to respiratory failure), subarachnoid hemorrhage (a form of brain bleeding), severe head trauma, and other brain injuries. The following conditions share many similar symptoms, but have a different underlying cause: -
Carcinoid syndrome -- a disease caused by abnormal cells of the lungs and gut that produce hormones
-
Thyroid storm -- a condition caused by excessive production of thyroid hormone
-
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome -- a condition characterized by muscle stiffness, high fever, and drowsiness, which can be caused by some antipsychotic medications and anesthetic agents
-
Serotonin syndrome -- an abnormal release of serotonin, a brain chemical
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. | |
|
.gif)
