primary autonomic dysfunction

primary autonomic dysfunction

Neurology A heterogeneous group of autonomic nervous system dysfunctions characterized by hypoadrenergic postural hypotension with blunted vasomotor response to norepinephrine upon standing, ↓ sweating, heat intolerance, GI Sx, impotence, urinary and fecal incontinence DiffDx Postural hypotension may also be due to cerebral and spinal cord lesions–eg, degeneration, infection, trauma, tumors, peripheral neuropathy–eg, alcohol, amyloidosis, DM, porphyria, toxins Types: Type I Characterized by low plasma levels of norepinephrine; Type II Shy-Drager disease, which is further characterized by parkinsonian-type cerebral degeneration