Re: [QUAD-L] About A.D. = Autonomic Dysflexia

[MikeyBird3]

In a message dated 10/21/2005 10:26:47 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:      There was a guy that used to post here that said he thought his room-mate died from AD. Have any of you ever heard of anyone dying from it ?  I don't know of anyone dying from it personally, but I suppose it's possible since AD increases the blood pressure.  Here's some info:      Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as hyperreflexia, is a state that is unique to patients after spinal cord injury at a T-5 level and above. Patients with spinal cord injuries at Thoracic 5 (T-5) level and above are very susceptible. Patients with spinal cord injuries at Thoracic 6 - Thoracic 10 (T6-T10) may be susceptible. Patients with Thoracic 10 (T-10) and below are usually not susceptible. Also, the older the injury the less likely the person will experience autonomic dysreflexia.        Autonomic dysreflexia can develop suddenly, and is a possible emergency situation. If not treated promptly and correctly, it may lead to seizures, stroke, and even death.        Autonomic dysreflexia means an over-activity of the Autonomic Nervous System. It can occur when an irritating stimulus is introduced to the body below the level of spinal cord injury, such as an overfull bladder. The stimulus sends nerve impulses to the spinal cord, where they travel upward until they are blocked by the lesion at the level of injury. Since the impulses cannot reach the brain, a reflex is activated that increases activity of the sympathetic portion of autonomic nervous system. This results in spasms and a narrowing of the blood vessels, which causes a rise in the blood pressure. Nerve receptors in the heart and blood vessels detect this rise in blood pressure and send a message to the brain. The brain sends a message to the heart, causing the heartbeat to slow down and the blood vessels above the level of injury to dilate. However, the brain cannot send messages below the level of injury, due to the spinal cord lesion, and therefore the blood pressure cannot be regulated.   Symptoms and Causes   Pounding headache (caused by the elevation in blood pressure) Goose Pimples Sweating above the level of injury Nasal Congestion Slow Pulse Blotching of the Skin Restlessness      There can be many stimuli that cause autonomic dysreflexia. Anything that would have been painful, uncomfortable, or physically irritating before the injury may cause autonomic dysreflexia after the injury.        The most common cause seems to be overfilling of the bladder. This could be due to a blockage in the urinary drainage device, bladder infection (cystitis), inadequate bladder emptying, bladder spasms, or possibly stones in the bladder. The second most common cause is a bowel that is full of stool or gas. Any stimulus to the rectum, such as digital stimulation, can trigger a reaction, leading to autonomic dysreflexia.        Other causes include skin irritations, wounds, pressure sores, burns, broken bones, pregnancy, ingrown toenails, appendicitis, and other medical complications.    PoinTIS Copyright © 1998 the Louis Calder Memorial Library of the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Medical Center, all rights reserved.   Bill Leesburg, FL C-6 Incomplete since 7/20/68 AOL/AIM ID: MikeyBird3 Stupidity is NOT a handicap!  Park elsewhere!