Spinal injuries – A danger to overall body functioning
The spinal cord is one of the most essential components of our central nervous system. It is a well-known fact that the spine acts as a communication system to transmit messages between the brain and other parts of the body. Any damage or injury to the spinal cord can end up in messing up with this circuit of message transmission.
In order to realize how our body can get affected by a spinal cord injury, it is important to know how the spine works. Several nerves originate from the brain and reach the skin, muscles and body organs through the spinal cord. There are specific levels on the spinal cord from where each nerve enters the cord and leaves it while entering to other body parts. The first seven levels known as the cervical levels are responsible for controlling breathing, neck and arm function. The next twelve levels or the thoracic levels control the chest and torso areas. The five lumbar levels manage the legs and the sacral levels are responsible for bowel, bladder, sexual and leg functions. It is, in fact, the spinal cord that controls our body movements. Thus, damage or injury to the spinal cord may damage the movements and functions of the above-mentioned areas in our body.
How can spinal cord injuries affect body functions?
A spinal cord injury is probably one of the most devastating injuries to a person, not only in terms of the physical disability it can produce but also in terms of its social and psychological implications on the injured person as well as his family. A person with a spinal cord injury can develop several ‘secondary’ complications and issues which need to be addressed from time to time.
Skeletal system: This is one of the body systems that get primarily hit due to a spine injury. Following an injury, some calcium and minerals leave the bones which may gradually get accumulated in the urinary system causing stones. This is why it is advised to remain as much active as possible post a spine injury. Difficulty in movement may result in joint stiffening of knees, elbows, shoulders and may cause pain. Range of Motion (ROM) exercise is of great help by enabling complete movement of joints by correct positioning in bed.
Urinary tract system: Many times, a person with spinal cord injury will not be able to empty his bowel and bladder. In such situations, either a person has to be on a full-time urinary catheter or has to do intermittent self-catheterization. In either of these situations, there is a substantially increased risk of urinary tract infections (Manifests as burning micturition, lower abdominal pain and fever with chills); that need to be treated with antibiotics. Preventing such infections by following hygienic and sterile catheterization techniques is always helpful.
Bowels: Similar to urinary issues, many patients with spinal cord injury also have a difficulty in emptying their bowels resulting in constipation. The abdominal muscles may have to be put on use to push the stool out depending on the extent and level of spine injury. A spinal cord injury can thereby result in bowel accidents, constipation and impaction. Following a spinal cord injury, it is essential to re-train the bowels. A new routine with various techniques, methods and medication, with the help of a gastro-enterologist and a physiotherapist, may help in regaining normal bowel movement and keep bowel accidents at bay.
Skin: The spinal cord sends messages to the skin to protect it from being hurt. Once the spine is injured or damaged, the transmission of these signals may pause and the skin may become numb to certain feelings of discomfort. Also, these patients usually have limited mobility and are confined to bed/ wheel-chair most of the time, increasing pressure on certain points on the skin. It can lead to pressure sores that open the skin to germs which may enter the body and enhance the risk of developing several infections. Daily skincare, regular skin check-ups and avoidance of pressure points by frequent change in positioning can help in these situations.
Respiratory system: Respiratory system may also get affected by a spinal cord injury. The very ability to move air in and out of the lungs depends on muscles which are controlled by the nerves in the spine. An injury to the spine may affect the ability to cough or even take deep breaths which are ways of ensuring complete and healthy functioning of the lungs. An incentive spirometer, a tool that enables deep breathing may come to the rescue and artificially help to take deep breaths. Regular chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises along with early recognition and prompt treatment of respiratory problems can prevent major complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Autonomic function: Spinal cord injury may affect autonomic functions as well. The autonomic nervous system that runs in and out of the spinal cord manages the glands, digestion, heart, temperature, blood pressure and more. A spinal cord injury may result in most of these functions getting affected like temperature and blood pressure regulation and may put one at the risk of autonomic dysreflexia which can be severe.
Apart from these, spinal cord injury may also affect one’s sexual life by causing erectile dysfunction and changes in ejaculation and fertility among men and loss of sensation and feelings among women. A spine injury can put the entire body function at stake and lead to abnormal functioning of several body organs and systems. Hence, it is important to be cautious about the health of the spine and protect it from any sort of injury. Daily exercise, giving adequate rest to the spine, wearing appropriate shoes that support the spine, practicing good ergonomics while sitting and keeping the body active can help a great deal in maintaining a healthy spine.
Authored by Dr. Umesh Srikantha, Consultant – Neurosurgery, Head of Spine Services, Aster CMI Hospital
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
