Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a life-threatening medical emergency characterized by hypertension and cardiac arrhythmias. [1] This condition is sometimes referred to as autonomic hyperreflexia. [ 2 ] Most cases of AD occur in individuals with spinal cord injuries. [ 3 ]
The term "spinal shock" was introduced more than 150 years ago in an attempt to distinguish arterial hypotension due to a hemorrhagic source from arterial hypotension due to loss of sympathetic tone resulting from spinal cord injury. Whytt, however, may have discussed the same phenomenon a century earlier, although no descriptive term was assigned.
In spinal shock, which is commonly seen in the transection of the spinal cord, hyporeflexia can transiently occur below the level of the lesion and can later become hyperreflexic. Cases of severe muscle atrophy or destruction may render the muscle too weak to show any reflex and should not be confused with a neuronal cause.
Dysautonomia, autonomic failure, or autonomic dysfunction is a condition in which the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work properly. This condition may affect the functioning of the heart , bladder , intestines , sweat glands , pupils , and blood vessels.
Spinal shock, loss of neural activity including reflexes below the level of injury, occurs shortly after the injury and usually goes away within a day. [42] Priapism, an erection of the penis may be a sign of acute spinal cord injury. [43] The specific parts of the body affected by loss of function are determined by the level of injury.
Spinal cord injury is the most common cause of hyperreflexia. [citation needed] Standard stimuli, such as the filling of the bladder, can cause excessive responses from the nervous system. The causes of hyperreflexia are not known. [citation needed]
Neurogenic shock is a distributive type of shock resulting in hypotension (low blood pressure), often with bradycardia (slowed heart rate), caused by disruption of autonomic nervous system pathways. [1] It can occur after damage to the central nervous system, such as spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury.
Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a syndrome that causes episodes of increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system.Hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system can manifest as increased heart rate, increased respiration, increased blood pressure, diaphoresis, and hyperthermia. [1]