dysautonomia

American  

[dis-aw-tuh-noh-mee-uh] / dɪsˌɔ təˈnoʊ mi ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a rare inherited disorder of the autonomic nervous system, occurring mostly in Ashkenazic Jews, characterized by lack of reflexes, abnormal sweating, defective lacrimation and sense perceptions, emotional instability, and motor incoordination.

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Etymology

Origin of dysautonomia

1970–75; dys- + Greek autonomía autonomy

Example Sentences

Several other doctors have since told him that gabapentin is likely the cause of his condition, including a neuropsychiatrist who diagnosed him with severe dysautonomia, or impairment of the autonomic nervous system.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

This irregular breathing pattern may be linked to dysautonomia, a disorder involving abnormal nerve control of blood vessels and muscles.

From Science Daily • Nov. 10, 2025

She has also developed dysautonomia, a condition affecting her nervous system, that can cause her to faint.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2025

She has also been diagnosed with dysautonomia, which Garrard described as an issue that affects communication between her brain and heart that has left her dangerously lightheaded and led to multiple falls, including down stairs.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2023

For Ghormley, like many people with long COVID, dysautonomia takes the form of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, or POTS.

From Scientific American • Feb. 14, 2023