Archive for August, 2008
Friday’s Fact
One of the most common complications post SCI:
Kidney failure, according to SpinalInjury.net, used to be the leading cause of death for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Today with the improved bladder management methods, there are fewer and less severe kidney complications to be dealt with. More common these days are difficulties arising from urinary tract related issues.
The loss of normal bladder function after a SCI places a patient at an increased risk for contracting a urinary tract infection (UTI), regardless of the type of bladder management used. A UTI can occur in the bladder, the kidney, or other parts of the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection remains the most common secondary medical complication following a SCI and it is also one of the costliest.
# Fever
# Chills
# Leakage
# Increased spasms of legs, abdomen, or bladder
# Feeling the need to catheterize more often (frequency) ( Intermittent)
# Feeling the need to catheterize immediately (urgency) ( Intermittent)
# Burning of the urethra, penis, or pubic area
# Nausea
# Headache
# Mild low back pain or other aches
# Feeling “lousy” or tired
If you experience any of these, please be sure to talk with your doctor to avoid further complications.
This week’s interesting technological development is an electronic exoskeleton – something that seems better fitted to some action-packed futuristic movie.
ReWalk is the creation of engineer Amit Goffer, founder of Argo Medical Technologies in Israel, who was paralyzed in 1997. Unable to use his creation because of limited mobility in his arms, Goffer has used this machine to give others the ability to walk on their own again – or for the first time…
This week’s resource is the Website America’s Heroes at Work.
The United States Department of Labor (DOL) created this site in order to address the “employment challenges of returning service members living with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).”
he importance of the vehicle seat’s role in automobile accidents shouldn’t be overlooked, yet it often is. If you run an Internet search, you will find numerous stories on collapsed seat backs, faulty restraint systems and inadequate load bearing ability – all manufacturer-related issues that have contributed to injury or death in automobile crashes.
One area of concern that is overlooked more than most is that of wheelchairs used in lieu of standard seats in vehicles…
This week’s spotlight is on The Prince Synergy, an worldwide organization focused on maximizing human capitol.
In The Prince Synergy’s own words, “Traumatic Brain Injury takes away victims’ freedom and opportunities internally.” With the unique obstacles faced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in mind, this business works to help companies and their employees work with the limitations created by this injury and others…
We are always looking for new developments that can lead to spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery and press releases like this one are a great incentive to keep looking.
The PLoS Medicine site reports that researchers studying spinal cord injuries in mice found that chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG) is needed for the repair of the neurons that will facilitate the regaining of movement, but after time, it actually hinders a full nervous system recovery…
Q: What spinal cord injuries occur most in sports?
A: There are two types of spinal cord related injuries that occur most frequently in sports…
The time following a brain injury can be confusing, overwhelming, and emotional. There are three things that new brain injury patients should be aware of to help them through this difficult time…
