Diabetic autonomic neuropathy

Diabetic autonomic neuropathy is damage to the autonomic nerves caused by diabetes. These nerves control things like your heartbeat, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, urination, and sexual function.

Autonomic neuropathy may affect certain processes in the body. This includes digestion, urination, sexual function, your body's ability to regulate temperature, and heart and blood vessel function, including blood pressure. Symptoms may include:

• Dizziness, weakness, or fainting when you stand or sit up from a reclining position.
• Feeling full after only a few bites of food, bloating, constipation, heartburn, nausea and vomiting, and belly pain. These symptoms may be a sign of gastroparesis. This causes the stomach to empty much slower than normal.
• Trouble sensing when your bladder is full or problems emptying your bladder completely.
• Sexual problems, such as erection problems or vaginal dryness.
• Trouble knowing when your blood sugar is low.
• Extreme sweating of the torso, face, or neck at night or while eating certain foods, such as spicy foods. Some people may have reduced sweating, especially in their feet and legs.

Treatment focuses on managing the symptoms of autonomic neuropathy. Here are examples of symptoms and treatments that may help.

Digestive problems.

Treatment for gastroparesis may include eating small, frequent meals that are low in fiber and fat. Medicines may help symptoms like diarrhea or constipation.

Abnormal sweating.

If you sweat a lot, try to avoid intense heat and humidity. Drinking more water can prevent overheating.

Lack of awareness of low blood sugar level.

Your doctor may adjust your insulin so your blood sugar levels are slightly higher than the target range.

Urinary problems.

Treatment includes antibiotics for urinary tract infections and medicines to improve bladder control.

Sexual problems.

Your doctor may suggest using medicines or devices to improve erections. Lubricants or creams may help with vaginal dryness.

Blood pressure problems.

High blood pressure may be treated with medicines. Low blood pressure can be treated with medicines and by wearing compression stockings.