Autonomic Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Autonomic dysfunction following spinal cord injury, which includes autonomic dysreflexia, orthostatic hypotension, body temperature dysregulation, bladder dysfunction, and bowel dysfunction, strongly influences the quality of life in spinal cord injury patients. Although understanding the autonomic dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients will improve their health and quality of life, few medical professionals are familiar with the dysfunction and its management. Given the sharp rise in the number of elderly patients with spinal cord injury in recent years, we consider that health professionals should be able to provide proper information on the management of autonomic dysfunctions to patients with spinal cord injury and their caregivers. This paper describes an overview of the autonomic dysfunction commonly found in people with spinal cord injury.