How to assess the autonomic nervous system

[Tanya Shivari]

Assessment of the autonomic nervous system involves checking for the following:

Postural hypotension
Heart rate changes in response to the Valsalva maneuver
Decreased or absent sweating
Evidence of Horner syndrome (unilateral ptosis, pupillary constriction, facial anhidrosis)

Disturbances of bowel, bladder, sexual, and hypothalamic function should be noted.
(See also Introduction to the Neurologic Examination and Overview of the Autonomic Nervous System.)