Primary autonomic failure (also called primary dysautonomia) refers to a category of
dysautonomias — conditions in which the autonomic nervous system does not function properly.
In primary dysautonomias, the autonomic dysfunction occurs as a primary condition (as opposed to resulting from another disease).
Autonomic failure is categorized as "primary" when believed to result from a chronic condition characterized by degeneration of the autonomic nervous system, or where autonomic failure is the predominant symptom and its cause is unknown.
Such "primary" dysautonomias are distinguished from secondary dysautonomias, where the dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system is believed to be caused by another disease (e.g. diabetes).
Diseases categorized as primary autonomic failure usually include
pure autonomic failure
Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a form of dysautonomia that first occurs in middle age or later in life; diagnosed more often in men than in women.
Signs and symptoms
A degenerative disease of the autonomic nervous system, symptoms include dizzi ...
and
multiple system atrophy
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by autonomic dysfunction, tremors, slow movement, muscle rigidity, and postural instability (collectively known as parkinsonism) and ataxia. This is caused by p ...
. Many scientists also categorize
Parkinson disease Parkinson may refer to:
* Parkinson (surname)
* ''Parkinson'' (TV series), British chat show, presented by Sir Michael Parkinson
* Parkinson, Queensland, suburb of Brisbane, Australia
* The Parkinsons (fl. early 20th century), American father-and-s ...
and familial dysautonomia as "primary".
References
Peripheral nervous system disorders
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