Autonomic hyperreflexia

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Offending medications or drugs must be discontinued. Any underlying illness that is causing the symptoms needs to be treated. If a substantial slowing of the heart rate is shown to produce symptoms, some drugs called anticholinergics (such as atropine) may be tried.

Very high blood pressure needs to be treated rapidly but carefully, as it may be quite unpredictable, falling abruptly. Commonly-used, emergency drugs include: Nifedipine (Procardia), Nitroglycerine, Phenoxybenzamine hydrochloride (Dibenzyline), Mecamylamine (Inversine), and Diazoxide (Hyperstat).

A pacemaker may be required for certain unstable heart-related situations.

In patients with spinal cord injury, autonomic hyperreflexia may be caused by pain, fecal impaction, bladder distension, pressure sores, or suctioning. Careful attention to the patient's needs can prevent these problems.

Outlook (Prognosis)

The outlook depends on the underlying cause. People with autonomic hyperreflexia due to medications usually recover when the offending medications are stopped. Recovery when the condition is caused by other factors depends on the success of treating the underlying disease.

Possible Complications

Complications may occur as a result of side effects of medications. Severe reduction of the pulse rate may result in a cardiac arrest.

Prolonged, severe high blood pressure may result in seizures or stroke.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of autonomic hyperreflexia.