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Dysautonomia
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<p>Dysautonomia, autonomic failure, or autonomic dysfunction is a condition in which the <a href="/facts/Autonomic_nervous_system/hdmEY1Ay">autonomic nervous system</a> (ANS) does not work properly. This condition may affect the functioning of the <a href="/facts/Heart/fF4KSGdk">heart</a>, <a href="/facts/Bladder/g8Khaf7A">bladder</a>, <a href="/facts/Intestines/nK2zwqBS">intestines</a>, <a href="/facts/Sweat_glands/T9nLT1V4">sweat glands</a>, <a href="/facts/Pupils/E4ec4lfJ">pupils</a>, and blood vessels. Dysautonomia has many causes, not all of which may be classified as <a href="/facts/Neuropathic/2KjA7nyD">neuropathic</a>. A number of conditions can feature dysautonomia, such as <a href="/facts/Parkinson%2527s_disease/xpekKj6x">Parkinson's disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Multiple_system_atrophy/ndcFsMjn">multiple system atrophy</a>, <a href="/facts/Dementia_with_Lewy_bodies/Sw6vTGkh">dementia with Lewy bodies</a>, <a href="/facts/Ehlers%25E2%2580%2593Danlos_syndromes/UyXa1bJ5">Ehlers–Danlos syndromes</a>, <a href="/facts/Autoimmune_autonomic_ganglionopathy/FseKJp2G">autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy</a> and <a href="/facts/Autonomic_neuropathy/TmXMfA7W">autonomic neuropathy</a>, <a href="/facts/HIV%2fAIDS/RqLIEMuJ">HIV/AIDS</a>, <a href="/facts/Mitochondrial_cytopathy/r79sg24J">mitochondrial cytopathy</a>, <a href="/facts/Pure_autonomic_failure/RkEAhDCg">pure autonomic failure</a>, <a href="/facts/Autism_spectrum/bzouRyMI">autism</a>, and <a href="/facts/Postural_orthostatic_tachycardia_syndrome/Xndeukmn">postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome</a>. </p><p>Diagnosis is made by functional testing of the ANS, focusing on the affected <a href="/facts/Organ_system/KAWNntR0">organ system</a>. Investigations may be performed to identify underlying disease processes that may have led to the development of symptoms or autonomic neuropathy. <a href="/facts/Symptomatic_treatment/zQlnUC9x">Symptomatic treatment</a> is available for many symptoms associated with dysautonomia, and some disease processes can be directly treated. Depending on the severity of the dysfunction, dysautonomia can range from being nearly symptomless and transient to disabling and/or life-threatening. </p>