A spinal cord injury refers to damage in any part of the spinal cord. Damage to the nerves at the spinal canal end or cauda equina also leads to spinal cord injury. It causes persistent changes in sensation, strength, and other body functions below the injury site.
If you have suffered an injury of the spinal cord recently then it may seem like it has impacted every aspect of your life. You may socially, emotionally, and mentally feel the effects of this injury.
Scientists are optimistic about the research regarding the repair of spinal cord injuries. Rehabilitation and treatment help many people with this injury. They are able to spend an independent and productive life.
Symptoms
The ability to manage limbs after a spinal cord injury is associated with two factors. One is the site of injury and the other is its severity. The lowest normal part in the spinal cord area refers to the neurological level of injury.
The severity of your spinal cord injury refers to “completeness”. It is classified as:
- Complete: If the ability to control movement and all feelings (sensory) are lost below the site of spinal cord injury then the injury is called complete.
- Incomplete: If there are some sensory and motor functions below the affected area then the injury refers to incomplete.
People with spinal cord injuries may show one or more of the symptoms that are given below.
- Movement loss
- Alteration or loss of sensation including the ability to feel touch, cold, and heat
- Loss of bladder control
- Spasms or exaggerated reflex activities
- Changes in fertility, sexual function, and sexual activity
- An intense sensation of stinging or pain that is caused by the damage of fiber nerves in the area of the spinal cord
- Difficulty in coughing, breathing, and clearing secretions from the lungs
Emergency Symptoms
After an accident, the emergency symptoms that people can experience are given below.
- Impaired breathing
- Loss of bowel control
- Excessive back pain
- Pressure in back, head, or neck
- Paralysis or incoordination in any part of the body
- Loss of sensation in fingers, toes, or hands
- Difficulty with walking and balance
- Twisted back or neck
When You Should Go To A Healthcare Professional
Any individual who experiences significant trauma of the neck or head needs medical evaluation. The immediate examination helps to examine the spinal injury. It is safe to predict that trauma victims have an injury of the spinal cord until proved.
If the spinal cord injury is not recognized and treated on time then it can cause more severe injury. That is the reason it is important to go to a doctor for medical evaluation.
Early diagnosis helps you to take the treatment of specific conditions related to your health on time. Paralysis can occur immediately or people can experience it after swelling or bleeding around the area of the spinal cord.
If you suspect that an individual may have a spinal cord injury then do not move that person. It can cause permanent paralysis and other serious complications. Immediately call 911 or the local emergency medical assistance.
Hold the neck of the injured person or place heavy towels around his or her head or neck. It helps to prevent the movement of the head or neck until the arrival of emergency care. Try to provide first aid to the injured person such as make him or her comfortable and try to stop bleeding.
Causes
Damage to discs, vertebrae, or ligaments of the spinal column or spinal cord can cause spinal cord injuries. A sudden or traumatic blow to the area of the spine leads to a traumatic spinal cord injury. It compresses, fractures, crushes or dislocates one or more vertebrae.
Gunshot or knife that cuts or penetrates the spinal cord also causes the injury. Additional damage occurs after swelling, fluid accumulation, bleeding, and inflammation within several weeks or days. Inflammation, arthritis, and cancer can cause a nontraumatic injury of the spinal cord.
Moreover, disk denigration or infections can also lead to spinal cord injuries. If you have not severe symptoms of spinal cord injury but you think that you may have it then go for immediate medical evaluation. It helps you to diagnose yourself for spinal cord injury earlier.
Do not leave your treatment incomplete to avoid serious consequences. Follow the guidelines of your doctor to keep yourself safe from getting severe symptoms.
