Hyperreflexia
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| Hyperreflexia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Hyper-reflexia |
| Specialty | Neurology |
Hyperreflexia is overactive or overresponsive bodily
Spinal-cord injury is the most common cause of hyperreflexia (see "Autonomic dysreflexia"). Standard stimuli, such as the filling of the bladder, can cause excessive responses from the nervous system; the causes are not known.
Hyperreflexia also has many other causes, including the side effects of drugs and stimulants;
Treatment depends on the cause of the hyperreflexia. If drugs cause it, treatment may require that they not be used.
Recovery from hyperreflexia can occur several hours to several months after a spinal-cord injury; the phase of recovery is likely to occur in stages rather than on a continuum.[1] The late stage is between two weeks and several months.[1] Patients with a severe spinal-cord injury (SCI) mainly present with a later stage of recovery because during the early stages they present with spinal shock.[1] Reflex and motor recovery can sometimes occur simultaneously.[1]