Spinal Cord Injury - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide
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
- Polio
- Tumor
- Spina Bifida
- 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
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
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