Overview

The spinal cord is one of the most vital parts of the human body. It connects the brain to different parts of the body and helps exchange signals between them. If this passage breaks for any reason, then this might hamper the routine functioning of the body.

Functions of Spinal Cord

- Carry signals from the brain to other parts - One of the vital functions of a spinal cord is to carry signals given by the brain to the other parts of the body. The spinal cord is connected to the whole body and hence is a vital organ.
- Carry signals from other body parts to the brain- Signals given by the body are also carried by the spinal cord to the brain. It helps the brain understand different types of sensations experienced by the body, such as pain, comfort, and many others.
- Reflex Action- A spinal cord also helps to understand the reflex actions. Any damage to the spinal cord hampers an individual's ability to react to sudden stimuli.

After Effects of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are damaging not just to the body but also to one’s mental health. Mentioned below are some of the after-effects of a spinal cord injury:

- Bowel infection
- Breathing issues
- Slow metabolism
- Difficulty in understanding sensations
- Confusion in understanding muscle movements

Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

- Spinal cord injuries lead to the breakage of signals passing from the brain to other parts of the body and vice versa. Hence, the body isn't able to perform its routine functions. For example, spinal cord injury causes the inability to perform basic functions such as climbing stairs, scratching your head, or even waving to someone. Mentioned below are some of the spinal cord injuries causes:
- Vehicle Accident- Vehicle accidents are one of the most common and obvious causes of spinal cord injuries. The accident can damage the spinal cord and injure other body parts. Hence, spinal cord injuries are usually observed in vehicle accidents. The chances of complete spinal cord injury are always higher in fatal accidents.
- Sports Injury- Contact sports are usually prone to injuries. Hence, while playing these sports, individuals need to be very careful. Any harm or injury to the spine results in unbearable pressure to the spine. Continuous twisting, turning, and extending movements of the spine while playing sports can be the spinal cord injury causes.
- Spinal Stroke- Spinal stroke, though it might sound like an unheard of situation but it, can prove to be a fatal one in case of a serious stage. A spinal stroke happens when blood isn't supplied to the spinal cord. The clotting of blood results in complete or partial paraplegia, leading to an addition to the queue of spinal cord injury causes.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Symptoms of spinal cord injuries are evident in severe pain and the inability to perform different hand and leg movements. Other symptoms can be used as an identification mark for a spinal injury. Mentioned below are some of the symptoms of a spinal cord injury:

- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Lower sensation in the arms and legs
- Difficulty in breathing
- Loss of bowel control
- Excessive pain in neck and back

What is a traumatic spinal cord injury?

Traumatic spinal cord injuries are the shocks experienced by the spinal cord due to physical injury. The force of the injury impacts the spine negatively. It might damage the spine completely or partially, depending upon the injury. The injury damages the spinal cord along with other parts of the body. The injured spinal cord also affects the functioning of other body parts.

Treatment Options after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

- Ensuring the flow of blood- One of the main aspects after spinal cord injuries is to ensure the flow of blood in the spinal cord. If, due to any reason, the flow of blood stops in the spinal cord, it may lead to partial or complete injury. In addition, it also hampers the functioning of the motor activities of the human body.
- Preventing Shock- Preventing further trauma or shock to the spine after the spine injury is another important aspect to remember. It helps to keep the other body parts safe and avoid the spread of further damage.
- Surgery- Surgery is one of the treatment options to avoid the damages caused by a spinal cord injury. The surgery helps to remove fragments of bones and foreign objects to avoid compression of bones.

When to Consult a Doctor

Timely medical intervention can help cure many of these ailments or help in managing them. You can also get in touch with the expert Neurology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during brain injury, neurological disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Spinal cord injuries can affect the functioning of the human body as the injury hampers the transfer of signals given by the brain to the body and vice versa. Therefore, treatment and prevention options to avoid damage to the spinal cord are advised to be followed religiously to avoid further and complete spinal cord damage.

FAQ’s

Q. What is a spinal cord injury?

A. Spinal cord injury is an injury caused to the spinal cord due to physical reasons or issues in the functioning of the body internally.

Q. What are the causes of spinal cord injury?

A. Spinal cord injury causes can be many. For example, it can be due to a vehicle accident, external injury, sports injury, or other similar reasons.

Q. What are the types of spinal cord injuries?

A. Spinal cord injuries are divided into complete and partial. A complete injury leads to complete non-functioning of the affected parts of the body, while partial damage might affect a few parts.

Q. What is traumatic spinal cord injury?

A. A traumatic spinal cord injury is an external injury affecting the spinal cord. The damage can completely or partially affect the spinal cord.

Q. What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?

A. Immediate spinal cord injury symptoms include severe neck and back pain, inability to move hands and legs, and no bowel control.