At the onset of rehabilitation and throughout their lifetime, this comprehensive system of care helps individuals with SCI/D attain, preserve, and enhance the health and quality of life. Within the Veterans Health Administration, the Spinal Cord Injury and Disease System of Care provides an interdisciplinary team approach to manage the physical, psychological, environmental, and interpersonal support of individuals living with SCI/D. With increased longevity for persons with SCI/D, co-morbidities such as metabolic disease, endocrine disease, and musculoskeletal disorders are becoming increasingly common and require comprehensive specialty care for the prevention or early detection of health complications seen in the aging population. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that transmits messages between the brain and the rest. This may result in loss of movement, sensation and changes in autonomic functions such as blood pressure and temperature control. If any of these are experienced, emergency treatment must be initiated to include: sit up or raise head to 90 degrees and remain upright until blood pressure is normal, based on individuals baseline blood pressure check/empty bowel or bladder loosen or remove tight clothing monitor blood pressure every 5 minutes and call health care professional, even if symptoms resolve. Spinal cord injury (SCI) refers to any damage to the spinal cord, whether from trauma, disease, or a degenerative disorder. AD can affect individuals with complete and incomplete injuries.Ĭommon signs and symptoms of AD include sudden/significant elevation of blood pressure, severe headache, profuse sweating, goosebumps, blurred vision, seeing spots, flushed skin, nasal congestion, slowed pulse, tightness in chest, and anxiety. Severe combined immune deficiency (SCID) is a life-threatening primary immunodeficiency (PI), with a combined absence of T cell and B cell function. Those with spinal cord injury at the sixth nerve of the thoracic spine or above are most commonly at risk, and in some cases the seventh and eighth nerve. It is important for caregivers and clinicians to recognize atypical signs and symptoms of infection, including, but not limited to fever, chills, spasms, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue as warning signs of infection in individuals with SCI/D.Īutonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a preventable condition that can result in death if not quickly treated. SCID became widely known during the 1970’s and 80’s, when the world learned of David Vetter, a boy with X-linked SCID, who lived for 12 years in a plastic, germ-free bubble. Since the improved management of infections, life expectancy has increased however, respiratory diseases and septicemia remain the leading cause of death for individuals with SCI/D. Symptoms persist despite use of nonprescription medications. Bubble Boy Disease SCID is often called bubble boy disease. Prior to the 1970’s, life expectancy for people with SCI/D was significantly reduced, mostly because of urological or respiratory infections. Acid Peptic Disease is treated with drugs that reduce acidity and sometimes in addition, with certain antibiotics to eliminate the H pylori causing the infection. Learn more about Spinal Cord Injuries and Disease (SCI/D)
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