brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Overview of Spinal Cord Disorders
Treatment of Spinal Cord Disorders
Treatment of the cause when possible Prevention of complications Physical and occupational therapy If symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction (such as paralysis or loss of sensation) suddenly occur, people should immediately go to the emergency department. Sometimes doing so can prevent permanent spinal cord damage or paralysis. If possible, the cause is treated or corrected. However, such treatment is often impossible or unsuccessful. People who are paralyzed or confined to bed because of a spinal cord disorder require skilled nursing care to prevent complications, which include the following: : Urinary problems:If a person is immobile and cannot use a toilet, a urinary catheter may be needed. To help reduce the risk of a urinary tract infection, nurses use sterile techniques when the catheter is inserted and apply antimicrobial ointments or solutions daily. Pneumonia:To reduce the risk of pneumonia, therapists and nurses may teach the person deep breathing exercises. They may also place the person at an angle to help drain secretions that accumulate in the lungs (postural drainage), or they may suction secretions out. , may be given by injection. If a person cannot take anticoagulants (for example, because of a bleeding disorder or stomach ulcers), a filter, sometimes called an Inferior Vena Cava Filters: One Way to Prevent Pulmonary Embolism , is inserted into the inferior vena cava (the large vein that carries blood from the abdomen to the heart). The filter traps blood clots that have broken loose from leg veins before they reach the heart. Extensive loss of body functions can be devastating, causing depression and loss of self-esteem. Formal counseling can be very helpful. Learning exactly what has happened and what to expect in the near and distant future helps people cope with the loss and prepare them for rehabilitation. Rehabilitation helps people recover as much function as possible. The best care is provided by a team that includes nurses, a Physical Therapy (PT) , an Physical therapyinvolves exercises for muscle strengthening and stretching. People may learn how to use assistive devices such as braces, a walker, or a wheelchair and how to manage muscle spasms. Occupational therapyhelps people relearn how to do their daily tasks and helps them improve dexterity and coordination. They learn special techniques to help compensate for lost functions. Therapists or counselors help some people make the adjustments needed to return to work and to hobbies and activities. People are taught ways to deal with sexual dysfunction. Sex is still possible for many people, even though sensation is usually lost. Emotional support from family members and close friends is important. 