Definition: Autonomic dysreflexia - also known as hyperreflexia - occurs in people with spinal cord injury above the 6th thoracic vertebral level. It is a sudden rise in blood pressure, due to an overreaction in the body.
Autonomic dysreflexia can be life threatening, so immediate medical attention will be required if this occurs. The symptoms are:
- sweating
- sudden rise in blood pressure
- flushing
- shivering
- headache
- nausea
- goose bumps
- slowed heartbeat
- constricted pupils
- blurred vision
- nasal congestion
- restlessness.
The good news is that autonomic dysreflexia tends to lessen over time, after the initial onset of spinal cord injury has passed.
Also Known As: hyperreflexia
