autonomic dysreflexia
exaggerated activity of the autonomic nervous system in an individual with a spinal cord injury at or above the level of the sixth thoracic vertebra. It is caused by irritation, pain, or similar stimulation of the nervous system below the area of the injury and may be fatal. Symptoms include the sudden onset of headache and hypertension; there may also be arrhythmia, sweating, dilated pupils, blurred vision, nasal stuffiness, flushing, and gooseflesh. Also called autonomic hyperreflexia.