Which symptom is commonly reported by patients experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?

Which symptom is commonly reported by patients experiencing autonomic dysreflexia?

• A. Headache
• B. Ringing in ears
• C. Shortness of breath
• D. Numbness in fingertips

Answer: (A)

Autonomic dysreflexia involves a dangerous spike in blood pressure triggered by a noxious stimulus below a spinal cord injury, causing an abrupt sympathetic surge. The symptom patients most commonly report is a severe, pounding headache, which reflects the acute hypertensive response affecting cerebral vessels. While other signs like flushing, sweating above the injury, and bradycardia can occur, a sudden, intense headache is the classic, most commonly reported symptom. The other options—ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, and numbness in the fingertips—are not typical features of autonomic dysreflexia.

Autonomic dysreflexia involves a dangerous spike in blood pressure triggered by a noxious stimulus below a spinal cord injury, causing an abrupt sympathetic surge. The symptom patients most commonly report is a severe, pounding headache, which reflects the acute hypertensive response affecting cerebral vessels. While other signs like flushing, sweating above the injury, and bradycardia can occur, a sudden, intense headache is the classic, most commonly reported symptom. The other options—ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, and numbness in the fingertips—are not typical features of autonomic dysreflexia.