Loading icon
Health Information Center

Autonomic Dysreflexia

Authors:
  • Cynthia M. Johnson, MA
Publication Type:

Condition

Autonomic Dysreflexia

(AD; Hyperreflexia)

Definition

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a sudden rise in blood pressure in a person who has had a spinal cord injury.

AD can be deadly. It needs care right away.

Causes

Pain causes blood pressure to rise. When this happens the brain gets messages about the rise in blood pressure and takes steps to lower it. With AD, the message cannot reach the brain because of the spinal cord injury. This causes the blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.

AD can be caused by anything that would have caused discomfort before a person's spinal cord injury. Some of the things that can trigger AD are:

Risk Factors

The risk of this problem is higher in people who have spinal cord injuries in the upper back. It is also more common in people with a recent spinal cord injury.

Parts of the Spine.

AD happens in the thoracic area of people with spinal cord injuries.

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

si1936_parts of spinehttp://services.epnet.com/getimage.aspx?imageiid=82148214si1936_parts of spine.jpgParts of spineNULLjpgsi1936_parts of spineNULL\\hgfiler1\intellect\images\si1936_parts of spine.jpgNULL18NULL2012-01-25400326Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Symptoms

Some people may not have symptoms of AD. Others may have:

  • Severe headache
  • A flushed (red) face
  • Sweating above the level of the spinal cord injury
  • Goose bumps below the level of spinal cord injury
  • Chest tightness
  • Restlessness
  • Blurry vision
  • A stuffy nose

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about symptoms and health history. The doctor will also ask about the spinal cord injury. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce the blood pressure to a safe level. The cause of AD should be treated right away, such as emptying a full bladder. The person should also sit upright to move more blood to the lower body. This can help ease pressure.

Emergency care will be needed. Medicine will be given to lower blood pressure quickly. It may be given by IV.

Prevention

The risk of AD may be lowered by avoiding problems that can trigger it, such as:

  • Emptying the bowel and bladder regularly
  • Checking the skin for problems like wounds or ingrown toenails
  • Wearing clothing that is not too tight
RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

References

  • Autonomic dysreflexia. Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System website. Available at: https://sci.washington.edu/info/forums/reports/autonomic_dysreflexia.asp.
  • Eckert, M.J. and Martin, M.J.. Trauma: Spinal Cord Injury. Surg Clin North Am, 2017; 97 (5): 1031-1045.
  • Eldahan, K.C., and Rabchevsky, A.G.. Autonomic dysreflexia after spinal cord injury: systemic pathophysiology and methods of management. Auton Neurosci, 2018; 209: 59-70.
  • Management of chronic spinal cord injury. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/management/management-of-chronic-spinal-cord-injury.

Contributors

  • Rimas Lukas, MD
Last Updated:
2022-11-01

(C) Copyright 2022 EBSCO Information Services

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.