A spinal cord injury already makes you more vulnerable to infections, and untreated mental illnesses can compound these risks. Mental illness changes your behavior. This can harm your relationships with your care providers.
Full Answer
Why is mental care important after a spinal cord injury?
Appropriate mental care after a spinal cord injury is vital for helping you manage your rapidly changing life. A spinal cord injury affects virtually every system of your body, and every area of your life.
Should a spinal cord injury survivor seek 24/7 care?
A spinal cord injury survivor who needs 24/7 care may be especially hesitant to seek help. But mental health concerns aren’t all in your head. Ignoring your pain won’t make it go away, and the presence of psychological suffering does not mean you are weak.
What is involved in rehabilitation in spinal cord injury (SCI)?
An interdisciplinary approach is essential in rehabilitation in SCI, as in the other types of rehabilitation. The team is led by a physiatrist and consists of the patients’ family, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietician, psychologist, speech therapist, social worker and other consultant specialists as necessary.
What does it mean to be a spinal cord injury patient?
Learning what it means to be a spinal cord injury patient. Dealing with ever-changing emotional reactions. Doubting that you will become a productive person. Questioning if life is worth it any longer. Losing independence. Learning to care for yourself in the context of all the physical changes.
What is the mental impact of a spinal cord injury?
Emotional and behavioral problems may develop or worsen after a SCI. There is often a period of adjustment after a spinal cord injury. Sometimes feelings of sadness or anxiety may develop. In some cases, clinical depression may develop.
What is the treatment of choice in spinal cord injury patients?
Options include soft neck collars and various braces. Surgery. Often surgery is necessary to remove fragments of bones, foreign objects, herniated disks or fractured vertebrae that appear to be compressing the spine. Surgery might also be needed to stabilize the spine to prevent future pain or deformity.
Why are spinal injuries so important to seek medical assistance immediately?
A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency requiring immediate treatment to reduce the long-term effects. Call 911 if there is any loss of movement or sensation. The time between injury and treatment is a critical factor affecting your eventual outcome.
What would happen to a person if his her spinal cord is injured due to an accident?
A spinal cord injury can cause circulatory problems ranging from low blood pressure when you rise (orthostatic hypotension) to swelling of your extremities. These circulation changes can also increase your risk of developing blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary embolus.
What are spinal precautions nursing?
0:182:11Spinal Precautions for Nurses- Log Roll - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTogether. Again making sure we don't bend or twist the patient's. Back the third staff member canMoreTogether. Again making sure we don't bend or twist the patient's. Back the third staff member can wash the patient's back and when it's time to roll back again count to three and roll back gently.
Is spinal cord injury considered a neurological disorder?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an injury to the spinal cord that results in temporary or permanent changes in the spinal cord's normal motor, sensory, or autonomic function. People who sustain a spinal cord injury often have permanent and profound neurologic deficits and accompanying disability.
Why are spinal cord injuries so serious?
The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of the body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis), function, and sensation below the site of the injury.
Why is it important to keep an injured person conscious?
First, remaining conscious by volition allows the increased release of body chemicals that help blood pressure to remain elevated, Dr. Eachempati said. “Critical drops in blood pressure in the trauma situation can cause organ failure or death,” he said.
Why is spinal cord compression an emergency?
Spinal cord compression can cause cauda equina syndrome, which needs medical attention right away. Call your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room if you have: Sudden loss of bowel or bladder control. Severe or increasing numbness between your legs, inner thighs, or back of your legs.
Does spinal cord compression affect the brain?
Spinal cord injury causes inflammation which can affect the whole nervous system – this includes the brain, and the brain can be very sensitive to inflammation and pressure.
Which of the following are the immediate complications of spinal cord injury?
Medical Complications in Spinal Cord Injury1 Introduction.2 Autonomic Dysfunction. 2.1 Spinal Shock. ... 3 Cardiovascular Dysfunction. 3.1 Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. ... 4 Respiratory Dysfunction.5 Gastrointestinal Dysfunction. ... 6 Urological Dysfunction. ... 7 Sexual Dysfunction. ... 8 Bone Metabolism Dysfunction.More items...
What are the most common factors that lead to psychological changes after spinal cord injury?
Some of the most common factors leading to psychological changes after spinal cord injury include: Chronic pain.
Why do people with spinal cord injuries have trouble getting insurance?
Lack of sleep is associated with low energy levels, increased irritability, and reduced alertness. Financial problems. Some individuals with spinal cord injuries may have trouble getting their insurance to cover their treatments or may be unable to return to their jobs due to their motor impairments.
What are the symptoms of spinal cord injury?
Anxiety. Another common psychological effect of spinal cord injury is anxiety. It’s estimated that about 15-32% of individuals develop anxiety after SCI. Symptoms of anxiety following spinal cord injury include: Restlessness/ excessive worry or fear.
How does spinal cord injury affect your personality?
While a spinal cord injury directly affects motor control and sensation, individuals may also experience secondary psychological effects. Psychological changes after spinal cord injury can affect a person’s motivation, personality, and energy levels. Without proper management, these changes can hinder one’s ability to pursue rehabilitation ...
What are the effects of spinal cord injury on mental health?
Life after spinal cord injury may require significant lifestyle changes, which may cause psychological distress. Additionally, complications of spinal cord injury can cause individuals to feel a lack of control over their lives, which can foster negative thinking.
How do you know if you are tired after a spinal cord injury?
Symptoms of chronic fatigue after spinal cord injury include: Low energy. Lack of motivation. Constantly tired despite getting adequate sleep. Frustration.
How common is depression after spinal cord injury?
In fact, the estimated incidence of depression after spinal cord injury is 11-37%. Mood disorders like depression are caused by a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors.
What is spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is the injury of the spinal cord from the foramen magnum to the cauda equina which occurs as a result of compulsion, incision or contusion. The most common causes of SCI in the world are traffic accidents, gunshot injuries, knife injuries, falls and sports injuries. There is a strong relationship between functional status ...
What is the relationship between functional status and whether the injury is complete or not complete?
There is a strong relationship between functional status and whether the injury is complete or not complete, as well as the level of the injury. The results of SCI bring not only damage to independence and physical function, but also include many complications from the injury.
What is tetraplegia in neurology?
Tetraplegia occurs in cases of injury at C1-C8 segments. Injuries of the brachial plexus and the nerves outside the neural canal are not included in the definition of tetraplegia. The previous definition of tetraplegia is no longer used and incomplete tetraplegia is preferred instead.
Why is early rehabilitation important?
Early rehabilitation is important to prevent joint contractures and the loss of muscle strength, conservation of bone density, and to ensure normal functioning of the respiratory and digestive system . An interdisciplinary approach is essential in rehabilitation in SCI, as in the other types of rehabilitation.
How many people suffer from SCI?
SCI causes serious disability among patients[1]. Every year, about 40 million people worldwide suffer from SCI. Most of them are young men, typically aged from 20 to 35, although 1% of this population are children[2]. In children, motor vehicle accidents are the most common mechanism of injury.
What is secondary damage?
The responses of the body in order to overcome the primary damage, such as hemorrhage, inflammation and the release of various chemicals, are described as secondary damage[5]. Spinal cord injuries are classified by the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) by considering the motor and sensory functions.
What is it called when you have a paraplegic injury?
Paraplegia is sometimes called diplegia. The body and/or extremities may not be affected depending on the level of the lesion. In many cases of paraplegia, sensory loss and urinary and anal sphincter dysfunction would be detected in the distal levels of injury, in addition to loss of motor function[8].
What is the goal of a spinal cord injury patient?
The goals are to care for yourself in a manner that is as independent as your disability allows, and to begin the process of building a life that is not just focused around the disability. In the beginning, this may involve: Learning what it means to be a spinal cord injury patient. Dealing with ever-changing emotional reactions.
What is the adjustment to spinal cord injury?
When you are first injured, adjustment focuses on dealing with the loss and learning all about the injury. As you accept, learn, and master the new skills, you can incorporate them into daily life. This typically happens after discharge ...
What are the consequences of using alcohol after spinal cord injury?
Chemical Use/Abuse and Dependency. Use of alcohol or drugs can have a negative impact on health and well-being after a spinal cord injury. Drug and Alcohol counseling may be an important step to becoming substance free.
Where is the spinal cord injury group meeting?
The group meets at 4:30p.m. in the dining room of the UPMC Mercy Spinal Cord Injury Unit on the seventh floor of Building E.
What to do after adjustment period?
After this initial adjustment period, you may be: Incorporating skills you've learned into daily life. Living day to day with a different level of independence. Re-establishing yourself in the family, at work, and in the community. Changing or adapting activities such as work, parenting, and leisure.
What is the meaning of living with a disability?
Living a meaningful life with the disability — a life that gives you a sense of purpose and accomplishment. As you regain independence and integrate yourself back into the community, you can move beyond the disability and assume other aspects of living a meaningful and purposeful life.
Can a SCI cause depression?
Sometimes feelings of sadness or anxiety may develop. In some cases, clinical depression may develop. Some people may benefit from psychological support after SCI.
How old is the average person with spinal cord injury?
According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center: The average age at spinal cord injury is 43 years. Males account for 78% of new spinal cord injury cases. Vehicle crashes are responsible for nearly 40% of spinal cord injuries, with falls following closely behind.
What are the factors that affect spinal cord injury?
How a spinal cord injury affects a person depends on two factors: the area of the spinal cord where the injury occurred and the severity of the damage.
How do you know if you have a spinal cord injury?
People who have spinal cord injuries may have some or all of the following symptoms throughout their life: loss of movement of certain parts of the body. loss of feeling or change in feeling. loss of bowel or bladder control. pain, which can range from mild to severe.
What is the leading cause of spinal cord injury in younger people?
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in younger people. Falls are the leading cause of spinal cord injury in people over the age of 65 years. As many as 90% of all sports-related spinal cord injuries occur in males.
What is the thoracic spine?
Thoracic spinal injury. The thoracic spine includes the upper and middle part of the back. A thoracic spine injury often affects the muscles in the abdomen, legs, and lower back. People with a thoracic spine injury may have paraplegia, which means that they have paralysis in parts of the trunk and legs.
Which spinal section controls the lumbar spine?
thoracic spine (vertebrae T1 through T12) lumbar spine (vertebrae L1 through L5) sacral spine (vertebrae S1 through S5) Each of the four sections controls different parts of the body. In most cases, a person will lose some or all control and feeling in the limbs that are below the spinal cord injury.
What does it mean when you have a broken backbone?
Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has a spinal cord injury. Sometimes, a broken backbone can put pressure on the spinal cord, causing symptoms that may go away after the bone heals.
What is the best way to help someone with spinal cord injury?
People with spinal cord injuries may also receive regular support from different therapists during the rehabilitation stage, such as physical therapists and psychotherapists. Family and loved ones are other sources of support.
How many times more likely to die from spinal cord injury?
. During this time, people with spinal injuries are two to five times more likely to die early than someone without an injury.
What is incomplete spinal cord injury?
For example, people with incomplete spinal cord injuries have a better chance of recovery. An incomplete injury occurs when something partially damages the spinal cord, but signals from the brain can still get through to other parts of the body. A complete injury is more severe, preventing all the nerve signals from traveling through ...
How long does it take for a spinal cord injury to heal?
As a result, this first year will involve regular checkups. It is possible for some people to recover some function up to 18 months after the injury.
What is the first stage of recovery?
First stage. The first stage of recovery occurs immediately following a spinal cord injury. This will involve spending time in the hospital, usually in a critical care department. Sometimes, a person will also need to undergo surgery.
What is the name of the condition where paralysis occurs in both the upper and lower body?
autonomic dysreflexia . Around 15% of people with paralysis in both the upper and lower body develop pressure ulcers within a year of the injury. This form of paralysis is known as tetraplegia, or quadriplegia. Some people may also experience problems with their mental health as a result of their injury.
Can you make a full recovery from a spinal cord injury?
This loss of function can be permanent. However, some people do make a full recovery. Spinal cord injuries can cause secondary conditions, such as pressure sores and blood clots.