brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Neurologic Examination
Autonomic Nervous System
The Overview of the Autonomic Nervous System regulates internal body processes that require no conscious effort, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and temperature regulation through sweating or shivering. An abnormality of this system may cause problems such as the following: A fall in blood pressure when a person stands up ( Dizziness or Light-Headedness When Standing Up ) Reduction or absence of Introduction to Sweating Disorders None Sexual problems such as difficulty initiating or maintaining an erection ( Erectile Dysfunction (ED) ) A pupil that does not widen or narrow in response to changes in light Doctors may do a variety of tests, such as the following: Measuring blood pressure and heart rate while the person is lying down, sitting, and standing Examining the pupils for abnormal responses or lack of response to changes in light Doing Diagnosis None Removing and examining a small sample of skin (skin punch biopsy) to see whether the number of nerve endings has decreased, as occurs in some polyneuropathies that affect small nerves, including autonomic nerves 