Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies
Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSAN) are a group of rare genetic disorders that affect how people feel things and control their automatic bodily functions. This means things like feeling pain, warmth, or pressure and doing things like sweating or digesting food.
When someone has HSAN, it's because they inherited a mistake in one of their genes that's responsible for these bodily functions. These mistakes can happen in different genes, which is why there are several different types of HSAN.
When someone has HSAN, it can make them have trouble feeling things properly. They might not feel pain the way they're supposed to, which can be dangerous if they don't realize they're hurting themselves. They might not realize when something is too hot or cold, which can cause burns or frostbite. They might not be able to feel pressure, which can make it hard to know when they're holding something too tightly or when they need to go to the bathroom.
HSAN can also affect the automatic functions of the body, like sweating, digesting food, or controlling blood pressure. Someone with HSAN might have trouble sweating, which can make it hard for their body to regulate its temperature. They might have trouble digesting food, which can cause stomach problems or malnutrition. They might have blood pressure that's too high or too low, which can cause them to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
Because HSAN is caused by genetic mistakes, it can't be cured. But there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms of HSAN. For example, someone with HSAN might need to take medication to help with digestion or blood pressure. They might need to wear special shoes to protect their feet from injury or use other tools to help them feel things better.
Overall, HSAN is a complicated condition that affects many different parts of the body. But with the right support and care, people with HSAN can live full and active lives.
When someone has HSAN, it's because they inherited a mistake in one of their genes that's responsible for these bodily functions. These mistakes can happen in different genes, which is why there are several different types of HSAN.
When someone has HSAN, it can make them have trouble feeling things properly. They might not feel pain the way they're supposed to, which can be dangerous if they don't realize they're hurting themselves. They might not realize when something is too hot or cold, which can cause burns or frostbite. They might not be able to feel pressure, which can make it hard to know when they're holding something too tightly or when they need to go to the bathroom.
HSAN can also affect the automatic functions of the body, like sweating, digesting food, or controlling blood pressure. Someone with HSAN might have trouble sweating, which can make it hard for their body to regulate its temperature. They might have trouble digesting food, which can cause stomach problems or malnutrition. They might have blood pressure that's too high or too low, which can cause them to feel lightheaded or dizzy.
Because HSAN is caused by genetic mistakes, it can't be cured. But there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms of HSAN. For example, someone with HSAN might need to take medication to help with digestion or blood pressure. They might need to wear special shoes to protect their feet from injury or use other tools to help them feel things better.
Overall, HSAN is a complicated condition that affects many different parts of the body. But with the right support and care, people with HSAN can live full and active lives.