ABSTRACT
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction may manifest with a variety of symptoms, with
orthostatic intolerance (including orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia) and sweating
abnormalities (increased or decreased sweating) being common problems requiring medical
evaluation and treatment. Determination of the underlying diagnosis for these symptoms
is critical in terms of classification of the disorder and its prognosis. Recent advances
in evaluation of patients with these conditions and treatment modalities have enabled
physicians to improve overall management of patients with these disorders. These advances
include testing for ganglionic acetylcholine receptor antibody in patients with suspected
autoimmune autonomic neuropathy and use of pyridostigmine for treatment of patients
with orthostatic hypotension or tachycardia.
KEYWORDS
Dysautonomia - orthostatic hypotension - postural tachycardia syndrome
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Caroline M KleinM.D. Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, The University of North Carolina School
of Medicine
3114 Bioinformatics, Campus Box 7025, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7025
eMail: kleinc@neurology.unc.edu
