Clinical Autonomic Dysfunction

This book presents the concepts underlying the measurement of parasympathetic and sympathetic (P&S) activity in the autonomic nervous system and the application of these measurements in the development of therapeutic guidelines for treating dysfunctions in these processes. It provides an overview of the anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry of the autonomic nervous system; details general clinical applications of P&S monitoring that are independent of specialty or disease; presents the pathophysiology of P&S dysfunction in specific disorders, expected test results, therapeutic options, and expected outcomes; and includes case studies and longitudinal studies that demonstrate the major concepts for the common diseases for which P&S monitoring is recommended. Clinical Autonomic Dysfunction enables clinicians to improve patient outcomes by identifying and treating clinical problems related to autonomic nervous system disorders.

Thoroughly updated for its Third Edition, this text will be the definitive reference on autonomic nervous system disorders, for practicing and academic neurologists and clinicians in such areas as cardiology and gastroenterology where autonomic disorders are prevalent. The book focuses on patient care and provides the sophisticated laboratory testing information necessary for clinical diagnosis and management.This edition has a new co-editor, Eduardo E. Benarroch, MD, who provides more detailed information on the role of the central nervous system in autonomic disorders. The book incorporates the latest advances in noninvasive laboratory testing to evaluate abnormalities in the control of blood pressure, heart rate, urination, digestion, sexual function, and sweating.

This book approaches the basic features of autonomic dysfunction in a practical way, complemented by an examination of unique and didactic case reports. Unlike other books on autonomic disorders, its goal is to provide a brief, practical and ready to use resource for physicians faced with patients’ autonomic complaints. Autonomic dysfunctions are specific disorders that affect or are related to the autonomic nervous system. Despite being primarily a field of neurology, it also has important ties to cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and many other medical specialties. Moreover, as the action of the autonomous system tends to be diffuse, affecting different systems and organs throughout the body, its disorders may present a complex and multifaceted background, complicating its diagnosis, clinical evaluation and management. Thus, it is important to gather all the relevant information about autonomic dysfunction in a handy and practical way, providing an accessible guide for professionals and practitioners across a wide range of specialties. The content presented in this book is divided into two main parts: In the first part, the general principles of autonomic dysfunction are discussed. Here the reader will find information on the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the nervous system, the classification of autonomic disorders, general evaluation of these disorders and the principles of their management. In the second part, clinical cases for the most important autonomic disorders are presented and discussed in detail, particularly in light of their special importance for differential diagnosis. Using a clinical case-based approach, Evaluation and Management of Autonomic Disorders offers readers – primarily but not exclusively general practitioners in the fields of neurology, internal medicine, family medicine and cardiology – rapid access to the information required for the evaluation and management of these complex patients.

A traditional view of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) considers only its peripheral part: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. However, this view misses to consider the most important ANS function: the maintenance of homeostasis. This term is used today to define not only the strategies that allow the body proper response to changes in the environment (reactive homeostasis), but also temporal mechanisms that allow the body to predict the most likely timing of environmental stimuli (predictive homeostasis based on biological rhythms). This book discusses the ANS from both an enlarged and a timed perspective. First, it presents how the organization of the ANS is hierarchical into different levels. Following that, the book discusses how the ANS changes functionally in the three-body configurations (wakefulness, slow sleep, rapid eye movement sleep) found in a 24-hour cycle. Finally, the most important clinical implications of this enlarged and timed vision of ANS will be discussed. Autonomic Nervous System – Basic and Clinical Aspects is a comprehensive text intended for medical students and health professionals who are interested in a deeper approach to this important part of the nervous system. It provides a detailed and complete understanding of the neuroscience behind the ANS, allowing a proper clinical applicability of this knowledge.

This book is a guide to the everyday clinical management of disorders of the autonomic nervous system, from identification of the key symptoms of autonomic involvement and comprehensive history taking to choice of treatment. The book will assist the reader in determining the anatomic distribution of the disease, as well as underlying autonomic syndromes, and in transforming the clinical picture into a coherent explanation of the patient’s autonomic problem. In addition, guidelines are provided on selection of the most appropriate autonomic and laboratory tests and formulation of appropriate non-pharmacological and pharmacological management strategies. With cases drawn from clinical experience and a list of available online resources, Bedside Approach to Autonomic Disorders will aid the reader in acquiring the skills that are mandatory in order to put patients on the right clinical track. It will be a valuable guide for trainees and young doctors interested in autonomic disorders from the fields of neurology, internal medicine, cardiology, diabetology, and urology.

The Primer on the Autonomic Nervous System presents, in a readable and accessible format, key information about how the autonomic nervous system controls the body, particularly in response to stress. It represents the largest collection of world-wide autonomic nervous system authorities ever assembled in one book. It is especially suitable for students, scientists and physicians seeking key information about all aspects of autonomic physiology and pathology in one convenient source. Providing up-to-date knowledge about basic and clinical autonomic neuroscience in a format designed to make learning easy and fun, this book is a must-have for any neuroscientist’s bookshelf! Greatly amplified and updated from previous edition including the latest developments in the field of autonomic cardiovascular regulation and neuroscience Provides key information about all aspects of autonomic physiology and pathology Discusses stress and how its effects on the body are mediated Compiles contributions by over 140 experts on the autonomic nervous system

The third edition of this classic text, extensively revised, is now available in paperback, priced so that all interested physicians can have their own copy. The autonomic nervous system regulates, without conscious awareness, the function of the heart and all other bodily organs. Autonomic failure can cause a variety of seemingly strange symptoms, which may present to general physicians or a wide spectrum of specialists. This book shows how these symptoms can be studied scientifically in order to reach a precise diagnosis and instigate rational treatment.