Autonomic dysreflexia

Content provided by Healthwise

Autonomic dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia is a syndrome characterized by a sudden onset of excessively high blood pressure. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death. Autonomic dysreflexia is more common in people with spinal cord injuries that involve the thoracic nerves of the spine or above (T6 or above).

Symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia include:

Flushing or sweating.
Headache.
A red face or red blotches on the skin.
Nausea.
Goose bumps.
Cold, clammy skin.

If you feel you have autonomic dysreflexia:

Sit up straight, or raise your head so you are looking straight ahead. If you can lower your legs, do so. You need to be sitting upright until your blood pressure is back to normal.
Loosen or take off any tight clothing or accessories. This includes braces, catheter tape, hose, shoes, and bandages.
Empty your bladder by draining your Foley catheter or using your catheter.
Use digital stimulation to empty your bowel.
Check your skin for red spots that indicate a potential pressure sore.
If possible, take your blood pressure every 5 minutes to see if it improves.
Call your health professional, even if symptoms go away and your blood pressure is decreasing.
If the symptoms return, repeat the above steps and go to the emergency room or call emergency services.

Autonomic dysreflexia occurs when something happens to your body below the level of your injury. This can be a pain or irritant (such as tight clothing or something pinching your skin) or a normal function that your body may not notice (such as having a full bladder and needing to urinate). These situations trigger an automatic reaction that causes your blood pressure to go up. As your blood pressure goes up, your heartbeat slows and may become irregular. Your body cannot restore your blood pressure to normal because of your spinal cord damage. The only way to return things to normal is to change the situation—for example, by removing tight clothing or emptying your bladder.

The following are some frequent causes of autonomic dysreflexia and how you can prevent them.

**How to prevent autonomic dysreflexia**
Cause	Prevention
Overfull bladder Urinary tract infections (UTIs)	Follow your bladder management program.
Overfull bowel or constipation Gastrointestinal problems such as gallstones, stomach ulcers, or gastritis	Follow your bowel management program. Eat fiber and consume fluids as your health professional suggests.
Pressure sores Ingrown nails Other skin problems	Check your skin daily. Make sure all clothing or devices fit correctly.
Sexual activity	Be aware that sexual activity can cause the condition; discuss this with your health professional.
Broken bones or other injuries Tight clothing or devices Extreme temperatures or quick temperature changes	Be aware that these can cause the condition; discuss this with your health professional. Make sure all clothing and devices fit correctly.

Credits

Print Email SHARE

Author	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Last Updated	February 22, 2007

Print Email Twitter Facebook MySpace AIM More

Last updated:	February 22, 2007
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. By using AOL Body, you indicate that you have read, understood, and agreed to our Terms of Service, and AOL Body Advertising Policy. Read more about our content partners.