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Spinal Cord Injury - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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Overview

  • Spinal cord injury is otherwise called 'myelopathy' 
  • It results in an injury to the nerve fibers in the cord 
  • Can cause loss of physical sensation and mobility 
  • Spinal cord remains intact in most of the injuries 
  • Complete injury causes no movement/sensation below injury 
  • Incomplete injury-retains some movement/sensation below injury 
  • Physical therapy, ventilators, wheel chairs often required 

Causes

  • Automobile accidents 
  • Diving accidents
  • Falls 
  • Shot by a gun 
  • Conditions like
    1. Polio
    2. Tumor
    3. Spina Bifida
    4. Friedreich's Ataxia

Symptoms

  • Loss of sensation 
  • Loss of motor functions 
  • Loss of bowel/bladder functions 
  • Sexual function can get affected 
  • Loss of involuntary functions, like breathing 
  • Inability to control rate of heart beat 
  • Inability to sweat 
  • Chronic pain 
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Treatment

Seek medical help or call for an ambulance as soon as possible. Meanwhile-

  • Move the person, if surrounding is not safe 
  • Immobilize the head, neck and body on both sides
  • Movements may dislocate vertebra and cause further injury 
  • If there is no sign of breathing, perform CPR 
  • Do not tilt head backward during CPR 
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Prevention

  • Always wear a seat belt while driving 
  • Use special seat belts for children and babies
  • Do not drink and drive 
  • Do not dive into a shallow pool area
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