Health Concerns
Bladder Management. Your bladder will continue to store urine from your kidneys. However, your brain may no longer be able to control bladder emptying, as the message carrier (the spinal cord) has been injured. The loss of bladder control increases your risk of urinary tract infections. It may also cause kidney infection and kidney or bladder stones. Drinking plenty of clear fluids may help.
Bowels Program. Although your stomach and intestines work much like they did before your injury, your brain may no longer be able to control the muscles that open and close your anus. This may cause fecal incontinence. A high-fiber diet may help regulate your bowels, and you'll learn techniques to better control your bowels during rehabilitation.
Pressure Sores. Below the neurological level of your injury, you may have lost part or all skin sensations. Therefore, your skin can't send a message to your brain when it's injured by things such as prolonged pressure, heat or cold. This can make you more susceptible to pressure sores, but changing positions frequently — with help, if needed — can help prevent these sores. And, you'll learn proper skin care during rehabilitation, which can help you avoid these problems.
Autonomic Dysreflexia, sometimes called hyperreflexia or AD, can occur in persons with a spinal cord injury at or above the T6 level . AD happens when there is an irritation, pain, or stimulus to the nervous system below the level of injury. The irritated area sends a signal to the brain but it is not able to reach the brain. A reflex action takes place, tightening blood vessels, causing the blood pressure to rise. If the high blood pressure is not controlled it may cause a stroke, seizure, or death.
Respiratory system. Your injury may make it more difficult to breathe and cough if your abdominal and chest muscles are affected. These include the diaphragm and the muscles in your chest wall and abdomen. Your neurological level of injury will determine what kind of breathing problems you may have. If you have cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury you may have an increased risk of pneumonia or other lung problems. Medications and therapy can treat these problems.
Challenges of Spastic. Some people with spinal cord injuries may experience one of two types of muscle tone problems: spastic muscles or flaccid muscles. Spasticity can cause uncontrolled tightening or motion in the muscles. Flaccid muscles are soft and limp, lacking muscle tone.
Depression and SCI. Depression is a common illness that can affect anyone. About 1 in 20 Americans (over 11 million people) get depressed every year. Depression is even more common in the spinal cord injury ( SCI ) population-about 1 in 5 people. Estimated rates of depression among people with SCI range from 11% to 37%.
Sexual health. Sexuality, fertility and sexual function may be affected by spinal cord injury. Men may notice changes in erection and ejaculation; women may notice changes in lubrication. A spinal cord injury may cause decreased or absent sensation and movement below the level of injury, but a person may notice a heightened sensitivity in areas above the level of injury. Doctors, urologists and fertility specialists who specialize in spinal cord injury can offer options for sexual functioning and fertility.
There's usually no physical change in women with a spinal cord injury that inhibits sexual intercourse or pregnancy. Most women with a spinal cord injury can experience labor, have a normal delivery and breast-feed.
Pain After SCI. Some people may experience pain, such as muscle or joint pain from overuse of particular muscle groups. Nerve pain, also known as neuropathic or central pain, can occur after a spinal cord injury, especially in someone with an incomplete injury.