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How can you care for yourself when you have a spinal cord injury (paraplegic)?
- Let yourself grieve for the things you can no longer do. Talk about your feelings with a family member, friend, or counselor. This can help you recover as much as possible.
- Learn to take care of your bladder. This helps you avoid getting a urinary tract infection. You may need to insert a thin tube into your bladder regularly. This tube is called a catheter. It drains the urine from your bladder. A nurse will show you how to do this.
- Work with your doctor or other health professional to make a bowel management program. This will help you have regular bowel movements.
- Check your body often for signs of pressure injuries. These can be slow to heal and may become infected. They usually occur on the skin over bony areas such as the knees, hips, heels, or tailbone. And pressure injuries can occur in places where the skin folds over on itself. Change positions often to help prevent these sores.
- Be alert for signs of a common problem called autonomic dysreflexia. This can happen when your body can't control blood pressure. It can cause headache, clammy skin, sweating, nausea, and a slow heart rate.
- Do the exercises recommended by your therapist. Strong muscles can help you do everyday activities.
- Get help with coping if you need it. Discuss your concerns with your doctor, counselor, or other health professional.
- Join a support group. Talking about your injury with other people who have problems like yours can help you learn to live with a spinal injury.
Spinal cord injury (paraplegic): When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have signs of a common problem called autonomic dysreflexia and the symptoms do not go away after 20 minutes. These include:
- A pounding headache.
- A flushed face or red patches on your skin above the level of the spinal injury.
- Sweating above the level of the spinal injury.
- Nausea.
- Slow heart rate.
- Cold, clammy skin above the level of the spinal injury.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from an incision.
- Pus draining from an incision.
- A fever.
- You need help with urination and bowel movements.
- You have cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
- You have pressure injuries.
- You feel hopeless and depressed.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.