Regardless of what the condition is called, and contrary to the common misperception, autonomic dysfunction is treatable. However, the earlier the autonomic dysfunction is detected, the greater the number of therapy options (see Table 1). Therefore, DAN or advanced autonomic dysfunction may be more difficult to treat. In other words, it is easier to correct earlystage autonomic dysfunction compared with advanced-stage autonomic neuropathic damage.

The main function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is to maintain homeostasis, regardless of the conditions. The two main branches of the ANS, the parasympathetic and the sympathetic, can dynamically adjust their input to maintain homeostasis and apparent normalcy even in the face of degraded end-organ function. Often these ANS adjustments result in autonomic imbalance and begin to affect other systems within the body, including the cardiovascular system. This is, in part, the basis for the constellation of symptoms known to degrade quality of life in many chronic diseases. By the time symptoms present as a result of end-organ dysfunction or failure, the ANS has been out of balance for considerably longer.