The medical challenges faced by a paralysis victim

The severe motor vehicle collision led to a crushing blow to your back, leading to fractured vertebrae and a damaged spinal cord. As a result of this serious injury, you have lost the use of your legs.

Along with the pain and suffering is a long list of medical complications that come with paralysis. The combination of physical and mental challenges will affect your quality of life. Recovery promises to be ongoing.

Infections and blood clots

Expect lifelong challenges is you suffer from paralysis. Here are some of the challenges faced by paraplegics and quadriplegics:

  • Infections: The Infectious Diseases Society of America notes that infection is the top cause of death for people paralyzed from the waist down. Infections to the skin, lungs and kidneys are not uncommon. Kidney infections led to many deaths, but medical advancements have changed that.
  • Blood clots: This risk increases for someone paralyzed. Leg movement is crucial to promote blood circulation and prevent blood clots. For someone who is paralyzed, clots may form in the legs and abdomen, possibly traveling to the lungs and heart, leading to a pulmonary embolism or blood clot in the lung.
  • Chronic pain and muscle spasms: These may have connections to nerve damage and musculoskeletal problems. Such pain may last months or years.
  • Loss of control to the bowel and bladder: Incontinence often occurs. This challenge, too, is linked with nerve damage.
  • Cardiovascular disease: People who sustain a spinal cord injury are at risk of coronary disease due to lack of physical activity, reduced muscle mass and metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

The physical challenges seem daunting, and they are. But with the right medical treatment, support from family and friends along with a personal grit, you will carry on.

Adjustment and determination

It will take time to overcome the shock and emotional setback stemming from paralysis. But with acceptance of your condition comes adjustment and determination. Doing so will help you in your goal to reach the highest quality of life possible.