Autonomic neuropathy in diabetes commonly causes which symptom?

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Multiple Choice

Autonomic neuropathy in diabetes commonly causes which symptom?

Autonomic neuropathy from diabetes disrupts involuntary control of many body functions, including how the bladder works. The detrusor muscle is moved by parasympathetic nerves, mainly from the sacral S2–S4 nerves. When these autonomic fibers are damaged, the detrusor can become underactive and sensation of bladder fullness diminishes. The result is poor bladder emptying with high residual urine, i.e., a neurogenic bladder. This pattern—urinary retention with overflow symptoms and increased risk of urinary tract infections—is a classic and common autonomic complication in diabetic patients. Other autonomic problems like orthostatic hypotension, gastroparesis, or erectile dysfunction can occur as well, but neurogenic bladder is a particularly frequent and characteristic finding in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Autonomic neuropathy from diabetes disrupts involuntary control of many body functions, including how the bladder works. The detrusor muscle is moved by parasympathetic nerves, mainly from the sacral S2–S4 nerves. When these autonomic fibers are damaged, the detrusor can become underactive and sensation of bladder fullness diminishes. The result is poor bladder emptying with high residual urine, i.e., a neurogenic bladder. This pattern—urinary retention with overflow symptoms and increased risk of urinary tract infections—is a classic and common autonomic complication in diabetic patients.

Other autonomic problems like orthostatic hypotension, gastroparesis, or erectile dysfunction can occur as well, but neurogenic bladder is a particularly frequent and characteristic finding in diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

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