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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Fake UK Doctor Impersonator accused of killing 7 patients in Madhya Pradesh
Impersonator was once exposed by Mohammed Zubair
Damoh, Madhya Pradesh – A shocking case of medical fraud has come to light in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh district, where a man posing as a UK-based cardiologist allegedly performed fatal heart surgeries on unsuspecting patients. The accused, identified as Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, is accused of faking the identity of British doctor Prof. N John Camm (also spelt by him as "Kem") and taking up employment at a Christian missionary hospital in Damoh.
According to news agency ANI, Yadav conducted several heart surgeries at the hospital without holding any valid medical qualifications. So far, at least seven deaths have been officially linked to his fake procedures, but local authorities and activists fear the real toll could be significantly higher.
This is not the first time Yadav's impersonation of the UK-based doctor has raised red flags. In July 2023, fact-checker and Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair had exposed a Twitter (now X) account that was spreading communal misinformation using the name and photo of “Prof. N John Camm,” a respected British cardiologist. Zubair’s investigation revealed that the individual behind the account was actually Narendra Yadav.
The impersonator had gained attention after making bizarre posts such as urging UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to be sent to France to quell riots—clearly attempting to gain traction through politically charged content. Zubair had shared detailed posts linking Yadav’s social media accounts to older fraud and impersonation cases, but despite public exposure, Yadav continued to operate unchecked.
The real Professor John Camm, emeritus professor of cardiology at St George's University in London, had also clarified that someone was misusing his identity online. The matter even led to legal threats against Zubair, as the impersonator attempted to defend his false identity.
This week, fresh revelations have linked Yadav to at least seven patient deaths at the Christ Missionary Hospital in Damoh. Advocate and district child welfare committee president Deepak Tiwari has alleged that the actual death toll might be much higher, as several cases may not have been reported officially.
Tiwari said, “Some patients who did not die came to us and told us about the incident… They had taken their father to the hospital. The guy was ready to operate, but they were apprehensive, so they took their father to Jabalpur. We then learned that this fake doctor was working at the hospital.”
He also added that Yadav has an older criminal case against him in Hyderabad and had failed to submit any valid ID documents at the hospital.
The controversy deepened after it was revealed that the missionary hospital where Yadav was operating receives government funds under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme.
Priyanka Kanoongo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), confirmed that they had received a complaint about a fake doctor performing surgeries at a government-aided facility. She stated, “We were told that the hospital is associated with the Ayushman Bharat scheme and taking government money. This is a serious matter. We’ve taken cognisance and launched an investigation.”
Narendra Yadav’s ability to continue impersonating a foreign cardiologist, despite prior public exposure, points to serious lapses in verification and background checks—especially in hospitals receiving government support. What began as a social media impersonation case, flagged in 2023, has now turned into a criminal medical malpractice incident, potentially involving multiple deaths.
I was trolled and abused when I exposed him im 2023. Several right wing trolls supported him and fell for his Natuonalist tweets.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 5, 2025
Now, Prof N John Camm, posed as UK-based cardiologist, forged documents to pass off as a UK-based cardiologist and conducted heart surgeries at the… pic.twitter.com/BvJOFr41jL
Prof N John Camm ji tweeted that he sent a legal Notice. He wants € 10,00,000 as compensation. Claims he is not same as Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 3, 2023
A little background 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/fHRkTLx0ul
