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Autonomic Nervous System Disorders
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Brain Nerves

Autonomic Nervous System Disorders

Autonomic nervous system disorders disrupt the body's involuntary functions, such as heart rate and blood vessel regulation, and can be life-threatening if they affect breathing or heart function.

Overview

The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary actions, such as the beating of the heart and the widening or narrowing of blood vessels. When this system malfunctions, it can lead to serious health problems.

Potential Complications

Disorders of this system may result in:

  • Blood pressure problems
  • Heart problems
  • Trouble with breathing and swallowing
  • Erectile dysfunction in men

Causes and Progression

These disorders can occur independently or as a result of another disease, such as diabetes, alcoholism, or Parkinson's disease. Problems may affect specific parts of the system, such as in complex regional pain syndromes, or the entire system. While some types are temporary, many worsen over time. If the disorder impacts heart function or breathing, it can be life-threatening.

Treatment

Some autonomic nervous system disorders improve when the underlying disease is treated. However, there is often no cure, and the primary goal of treatment is to improve symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

High blood sugar levels over time damage the small nerve fibers that control involuntary functions. This damage, known as autonomic neuropathy, often starts with subtle issues like a resting heart rate that is too fast or a drop in blood pressure upon standing. If left unmanaged, the progression can lead to severe gastrointestinal problems, such as gastroparesis (stomach paralysis), and dangerous fluctuations in blood pressure that increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
To prevent dizziness and fainting when standing, patients are advised to rise slowly from sitting or lying positions. Increasing salt and fluid intake (if not contraindicated by heart or kidney conditions) helps expand blood volume. Wearing compression stockings or an abdominal binder can also help keep blood from pooling in the legs, while avoiding hot environments and large, carbohydrate-heavy meals prevents sudden drops in blood pressure.
While many cases are secondary to other conditions like diabetes or Parkinson's, some forms are genetic, such as Familial Autonomic Dysregulation. Diagnosis typically involves a tilt-table test to measure blood pressure and heart rate changes upon standing, heart rate variability testing during breathing exercises, and quantitative sudomotor axon reflex testing (QSART) to assess sweat gland function. These tests help clinicians determine if the issue is localized or systemic.
You should seek emergency care if you experience sudden, severe shortness of breath, a rapid or irregular heartbeat that does not settle, fainting (syncope) that is frequent or unprovoked, or an inability to swallow saliva. These symptoms indicate that the autonomic failure is critically affecting vital functions like breathing and cardiac rhythm, which can be life-threatening without immediate intervention.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

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