After a spinal cord injury the body’s usual warnings of impending problems or damage (such as when pressure causes discomfort) will no longer be present. This is because you will have reduced sensation and movement, and it means that skin and tissues are at risk of damage, and need to be checked regularly. Below are some issues and indicators you, …
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What to do if AD is suspected:
- Most importantly, locate and remove the offending stimulus, if possible.
Early recognition of the condition is essential so that treatment can be started immediately. - Begin by looking for your most common causes: bladder, bowel, tight clothing, skin issues.
- Most importantly, locate and remove the offending stimulus, if possible.
NOTE: Keep in mind that when you remove the cause, your AD may get worse before it gets better.
Then follow these steps:
- Sit up or raise your head to 90 degrees
If you can lower your legs, do so - Loosen or remove anything tight
- Treat the cause
- Not everyone has access to a blood pressure (B/P) machine but if you can, check blood pressure every five minutes.
NOTE: It is more important to treat the cause first when you are dysreflexic, than trying to get a blood pressure reading.
In adults with a cervical level (neck) injury who often have low blood pressure, a rise in systolic (upper) blood pressure of 20 – 40mmHg (which may bring your B/P within the normal range) may indicate AD.
For other patients a systolic (upper) B/P of 150mmHg or more is an indicator of AD.
Make sure you know YOUR normal resting blood pressure (see below*) - Stay sitting up until blood pressure is normal
- Sit up or raise your head to 90 degrees
