Spinal cord injury: symptoms, causes, medications, etc. • hello healthy

Definition

What is a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries are the result of direct trauma to the nerves in the spine or indirect damage to the bones and soft tissues and blood vessels around the spinal cord.

Damage to the spinal cord will result in loss of bodily functions, such as mobility / movement or sensitivity to sensation of touch / temperature. In people with spinal cord injuries, usually the spinal cord damage does not occur completely, but is only bruised or torn.

Spinal cord injuries are not the same as back injuries, which may be caused by a pinched nerve or a ruptured piece of spinal cord. In fact, a person can be said to have no spinal injury if the spinal cord is not affected at all even though the bones are damaged.

This condition is a very serious type of physical trauma that can have a significant and prolonged impact on daily life if not handled seriously.

How common is this condition?

In economically developed countries, the rate of occurrence of this condition is 3 people per 100,000 population. Men are five times more prone to spinal cord injuries than women.

However, this can be overcome by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of spinal cord injury?

Any form of spinal cord injury can result in one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Loss of movement
• Loss of sensation, including the ability to feel hot, cold, and touch
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Excessive reflex activity or seizures
• Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility
• Pain or a strong stinging sensation due to damage to the nerve fibers in the spine
• Difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing mucus from the lungs

There are a number of emergency signs and symptoms that should be seen by a doctor immediately, including:

• Extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head, or back
• Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of the body
• Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in the hands, fingers, feet or toes
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty balancing and walking
• Respiratory distress after injury
• Twisted neck or back in an odd position

In addition, paralysis from spinal cord injuries can also be referred to as:

• Tetraplegia. Also known as quadriplegia, this means the arms, hands, torso, legs and pelvic organs are all affected as a result of your spinal cord injury.
• Paraplegia. This paralysis affects all parts of the body, legs and pelvic organs.

When to see a doctor?

Anyone who has had significant trauma to the head or neck needs urgent medical evaluation for possible spinal cord injury. In fact, it would be safer to assume that a trauma victim must have had a spinal cord injury until proven otherwise, because:

• Serious spinal cord injuries are not always immediately obvious. If not recognized, more serious injury can occur.
• Numbness or paralysis may occur immediately or appear gradually as bleeding or swelling occurs in or around the spinal cord.
• The time between injury and treatment can be important in determining the rate of complications and the amount of recovery.

Assuming someone who is traumatized has this condition will make us more alert and prepared in case the trauma victim does have a spinal cord injury.

If you experience any of the signs or symptoms listed above or have any questions, consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is best to discuss with your doctor what is best for your situation.

Cause

What causes spinal cord injuries?

This condition is often the result of an unexpected accident or violent event. Such accidents or events can cause damage to the spinal cord, such as:

• Violent attacks, such as stabs or gunshots
• Jumping into water that is too shallow and hitting the bottom
• Trauma from a car accident (especially impact that occurs to the face, head, and neck area, back, or chest area)
• Fall from a height
• Injury to the head or spine from a sporting event
• Electrical accident
• Severe twisted in the middle of the body / body (torso)

Triggers

What are the trigger factors that put a person at an increased risk of developing this condition?

Some of the triggers that can cause this condition include:

• Not wearing a seat belt when in the car
• Not using the proper safety devices during exercise
• Jumping into the water without checking the depth first or for the presence or absence of rocks at the bottom of the water

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

How are spinal cord injuries diagnosed?

After experiencing trauma that may involve the spine, you may be taken to a hospital emergency room. There, the doctor will examine you carefully, test your sensory function and movement, and ask you some questions regarding the accident.

However, if an injured person complains of neck pain, is not fully conscious or shows very obvious signs of neurological weakness or injury, some emergency tests may be needed.

These tests can include:

X-ray

Health care workers usually do this test on people who are suspected of having a spinal cord injury after trauma. X-rays can show vertebral problems (spinal column), tumors, cracks, or degenerative changes in the spine.

Computerized tomography (CT) scan

CT scans can provide a clearer picture of any abnormality than use X-ray . The scan is done on a computer to form a series of cross-sectional images that can show the condition of the bones, chips, and other problems.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

An MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce images from a computer. This test is very helpful in looking at the spinal cord and identifying herniated pieces, blood clots, or other masses that can put pressure on the spinal cord.

What are the treatments for spinal cord injuries?

Unfortunately, there is no way to heal the damage to the spinal cord. However, researchers are continuing to work with new treatments, including prostheses (artificial body parts) and drugs that can support nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of nerves remaining after spinal cord injury.

Meanwhile, treatment focuses on preventing further injury and supporting the sufferer to return to an active and productive life.

In an emergency, do the following steps:

• Immediately contact the hospital. The sooner medical help arrives, the better.
• Don't move or disturb it in any way unless absolutely necessary. This includes adjusting the position of the person's head or trying to remove his helmet.
• Ask the person to keep quiet wherever possible, even if they feel they can get up and walk on their own.
• Perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the person is not breathing. Don't tilt the head back, but bring the jaw forward.

Prevention

What can I do at home to prevent or treat spinal cord injuries?

Since spinal cord injuries are often unpredictable events, the best thing you can do is reduce your risk. Some steps to reduce risk include:

• Always use a seat belt when in the car
• Use proper safety equipment during exercise
• Never jump into the water without checking the depth and making sure the area is free of rocks

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.