AUTONOMIC DYSREFLEXIA-CLINICAL

SUMMARY

1. Throbbing frontal & occipital headaches

2. Anxiety

3. Mydriasis: if lesion is above T1

4. Horner's syndrome if injury is at T1: loss of sympathetic input leading to miosis, ptosis, anhydrosis

5. Nasal congestion

6. Above the NLI: pallor initially followed by flushing of the face and neck along with sweating in areas above and around the NLI

7. Piloerection: due to sympathetic stimulation of hair follicles below the NLI

8. Rise in SBP by 20-40mmHg above baseline

9. Bradycardia

10. Contraction of the urinary bladder and large bowel

11. Penile erection

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.