Autonomic hyperreflexia

Definition:

An autonomic response to a severe increase in stimuli from the autonomic nervous system. The response may include hypertension (high blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), sweating, syncope severe headache, and goose bumps. This can be caused by injury to the upper spinal cord, catheterization of the bladder, distention of the bladder or colon, and trauma during a cystoscopy or removal of prostatic tissue by use of a device inserted through the urethra (transurethral resection). See also autonomic neuropathy.