Spinal Cord Injury – Symptoms and Prevention Methods

Spinal Cord Injury – Symptoms and Prevention Methods The spinal cord is an integral part of the central nervous system along with the brain; it is a bundle of nerves that extends from the medulla oblongata and is ensconced around by the vertebrae – stacked one-on-top-of-the-other – forming the backbone. Responsible for transmitting impulses to and from the brain, the spinal cord begins at the occipital bone – the back and lower part of the skull and extends all the way down to a region between the first and second lumbar vertebrae.

Perception of pain, ability to move, and control of bodily functions – the spine is responsible for a variety of movements, controls and stimuli – and therefore any injury can have both immediate and long term effects on an individual. Typically, any injury will cause loss of mobility and sensation downwards from the point of injury on the spine.

Some of the common signs that point to a spinal injury can include the following symptoms – inability to walk congruently; loss of bladder and bowel movements; numbness and tingling sensation in the extremities; headaches and pain in the neck or stiffness; immobility of arms and legs.

The common cause of all spinal injuries would be trauma and sudden events – accidents and/or violent attacks. Electrical shocks, vehicle accidents, sports injuries of neck and head etc., are some of the common causes.

As pointed above the repercussions of a spinal injury are both immediate and lifetime. Although, several patients make a complete recovery from spinal injuries others have to deal with the consequences over a much longer period, even a lifetime. Loss of mobility may require patients to use assistance of a walker; in extreme cases they be paralyzed downwards from the neck.

Paralysis that occur from a spinal cord injury are known as - tetraplegia or quadriplegia; and paraplegia. The former the effects of the spine injury is felt by the arms, legs, trunk and pelvic organs; whereas in case of the later either all or part of the trunk, legs or pelvic organs are affected.

To prevent spinal injury there are a few precautions that one can take. This may, if not prevent the injury; can help mitigate some of the after effects.

In case of an accident or trauma it is important to stabilize a patient and administer the initial treatment. Often the signs and symptoms of spinal injury do not set in immediately and take place gradually. The severity increases with the increase in bleeding and/or swelling around the spinal cord – it is therefore important to stabilize the patient and arrest any further escalation of the injury.