dysautonomia
(dis-aw-toh-NOH-mee-uh)
A condition that affects the part of the nervous system called the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ANS controls many important automatic body processes, such as blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, body temperature, digestion, sweating, urination, and sexual response. Dysautonomia can affect all or part of the ANS and can cause serious problems, such as heart and blood pressure problems, trouble breathing or swallowing, or impotence in males. There are many different types of dysautonomias. They may be inherited or caused by injury or by conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson disease, autoimmune disease, and alcoholism. Sometimes, the cause is not known. Also called autonomic nervous system disorder.