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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Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.
Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.
Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.
In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.
The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.
Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.
The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.
The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.
In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.
