On October 30, 2014, I was on my way home from a construction project in Columbus, MS. Halfway through the trip, due to unfortunate circumstances, I was involved in a very serious car accident. My vehicle flipped multiple times before finally coming to a stop, on it’s roof. I knew almost immediately that I was hurt really bad but I didn’t know the full extent of my injuries until I was airlifted to the nearest trauma center. This was my first experience with paralysis; specifically tetraplegia, also known as quadriplegia. This is a debilitating condition but life is still worth living. Upon arrival at Reginal One Medical Center, I was immediately sent to radiology for a series of MRI scans and cervical spine x-rays. The radiologist determined …show more content…
Because of this, I received a tracheostomy and spent two months hooked up to a ventilator. When I was finally weened off the ventilator, I had to do daily breathing exercises with an incentive spirometer to aid in the strengthening of the functional side of my diaphragm. Another symptom is autonomic dysreflexia. This occurs in people that have spinal cord injuries above the sixth thoracic vertebra. This is an overreaction of the autonomic nervous system due to an external interaction. A simple example would be spasticity brought on by touch. It can also result in things like extreme hypertension, tachycardia, abnormal temperature regulation, neuralgia, myalgia, etc. Autonomic dysreflexia can be triggered by a number of things such as pressure sores, constipation, bladder distention, etc. One last symptom of paralysis is the loss of bladder control. Because of my inability to urinate on my own, I sought a urologist to provide me with a permanent cystostomy to help prevent dysreflexia and reduce occurances of urinary infections. I have spent countless hours with infectious disease doctors because I have chronic urinary infections that often result in severe
It was the beginning of February when my grandfather was going in to receive his second knee replacement. Being his second time, we were optimistic that the surgery would go well and that he would recover without any issues. My grandfather made it through surgery and accordingly, had to stay for observation. During this time everything appeared to be normal, and knowing that my grandfather hates to be in hospitals, wouldn’t have said otherwise. When he was finally discharged, we took him home and the next day he appeared to have a stroke. The left side of his face had drooped down and he began feeling numbness and tingling on both sides of his body. We immediately rushed him to the hospital and at first it was assumed it was a stroke, but as his illness progressed it was apparent it was not. The numbness soon led to the loss of muscle control beginning at his legs and rapidly spreading up. My grandfather was able to specifically describe what he was experiencing and the doctor was able to diagnose him with Guillain- Barré syndrome.
...can see if this condition runs in the family. A physical examination is a good way to tell is there is any type of muscle weakness or spinal curvature.
On September 29, 1993, Robert Wendland, then age 42, was involved in a vehicle accident. He was in a coma for 16 months. In January 1995, Mr. Wendland came out of the coma, but he remains severely cognitively impaired. He is paralyzed on the right side. He communicates using a "Yes/No" communication board. He receives food and fluids through a feeding tube. During rehabilitation, he has been able to do such activities as grasp and release a ball, operate an electric wheelchair with a joystick, move himself in a manual wheelchair with his left hand or foot, balance himself momentarily in a "standing frame" while grabbing and pulling "thera-putty," draw the letter "R," and choose and replace requested color blocks out of several color choices.
... affecting the peripheral nervous system. Ascending paralysis, weakness beginning in the feet and migrating towards the trunk, limbs and the head, is the most common symptom, and some subtypes cause change in sensation or pain, as well as dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It can cause life-threatening complications, in particular if the respiratory muscles are affected or if the autonomic nervous system is involved. The disease is usually triggered by an infection. The diagnosis is usually made by nerve conduction studies and with studies of the cerebrospinal fluid. With prompt treatment by intravenous immunoglobulin’s or plasmapheresis, together with supportive care, the majority will recover completely. Guillain Barré syndrome is rare, at one to two cases per 100,000 people annually, but is the most common cause of acute non-trauma-related paralysis.
16. K. Foss, "Paraplegic regains movement after cell procedure," The Globe and Mail (Toronto), June 15, 2001 at A1.
Have you ever been with someone who has been suffering through paralysis or at least experienced someone going through that phase of life? It’s really hard to even imagine someone to be in that condition not just because of the physical disabilities that are involved but also because of the psychological stress that the victim goes through.
warm) in the left upper and lower extremities; decreased strength and movement of the right upper and lower extremities and of the left abdominal muscles; lack of triceps and biceps reflexes in the right upper extremity; atypical response of patellar, Achilles (hyper) reflexes in the right lower extremity; abnormal cremasteric reflex in the right groin; fracture in cervical vertebrae #7; and significant swelling in the C7-T12 region of the spinal canal (Signs and symptoms, n.d.). The objective complaint of a severe headache could also be consistent with a spinal cord injury (Headache, nausea, and vomiting,
Quadriplegia, also commonly known as tetraplegia, is a medical condition caused by illness or injury to the brain or spinal cord that results in total or partial loss of movement in all limbs. Both the motor and sensory neurons are affected by this causing a loss of both sensation and control in lower extremities, upper extremities and almost the entire torso. This results in becoming paralyzed.
Autonomic Neuropathy affects the internal organs primarily. It can affect the cardiovascular system by hampering its ability to regulate pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature. It can affect the digestive system with gastroparesis, dysphagia, and uncontrollable weight loss and malnutrition. Frequent urinary tract infections are common, as well. Sexual responses, other than drive and desire, are also affected in this type. It can affect the individual's ability to recognize symptoms associated with low blood sugar, thus putting the individual at risk for further nerve damage and diabetic risks (Dyck, Feldmen, & Vinick).
Hinkle, Janice, and Kerry Cheever. “Management of Patients with Chronic Pulmonary Disease." Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing, 13th Ed. Philadelphia: Lisa McAllister, 2013. 619-630. Print.
Paralysis is the loss movement (and sometimes all feeling) in part or most of the body, most often caused by damage to the nervous system, especially the spinal cord. Paralysis has been shown to cause major difficulties and trauma to people that are affected by it, both who are paralyzed themselves and with families/friends that are paralyzed. For years, people with spinal cord injuries have been told by doctors that any movement they recovered would probably be in the first few months and improved mobility and feeling after two years was impossible. However, this is starting to change with the development of technologies that could reverse paralysis. If reversing paralysis is proved possible, it could be a monumental scientific advancement
to S3, in the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine” (The Iowa Clinic Spine Center). The sciatic
As a sophomore in high school, I was able to intern at a chiropractic office geared towards treating individuals who have been in severe accidents. I witnessed so many individuals who had lost their family members, become paralyzed and given up all hope of getting better. This motivated me to step up and bring light to these individuals who don’t get the comfort and encouragement they deserve. As a volunteer, I met with many individuals who began to open up about their struggle with their accident and allow me to be a part of their journey for recovery. One patient, Roy, who was only 8 years old, stood out to me.
Several years ago, I was hospitalized for pneumonia. It was incredibly difficult for me to breathe. I remember feeling a tightness in my airway as my lungs desperately pumped against the walls of my chest. I missed two weeks of school, and homework piled up. I was concerned with my health and worried about catching up with school. I became unhappy, lost, and weak. After excessive treatment and experimentation with inhalers, I slowly began to heal. Ever since, my asthma levels have significantly improved. I can breathe well and run long distances for long periods of time. Instead of mourning and drowning in fear, I used this adversity experience as a catalyst for change. I began to exercise more and didn’t let my asthma impede my everyday life.
Oh my God! TJ!“ It was just my mom.She was crying and calling my name again and again.I was so embarrassed and disappointed of my self.I had let her down. After, two of the EMT guys put us on an ambulance. Finally,we made our way to the hospital. My friend john and me were sent in palo alto medical center. It took us about fifteen minute to get there. My friend john was alright. He had a couple of stitches in his head and his arm. He got relieved after a couple of tests but, I was severely injured. I was lying on a hospital bed and thinking what I would have done in the past. Cause this terrible accident happened to me. I was sent to el camino hospital, where I went to the operation theater for my hipbones surgery.The doctor told me after surgery that my hipbones was fractured the reason they had to put a plate in hipbones to stay together.Although, my left arm was also fractured the reason I could not feel my arm. After surgery, they took me to the other room and gave me a couple of injections. Momentarily, I went to sleep. I woke up in the next day and thinking hopefully it was just a dream,but it’s not. I opened my eyes and saw a couple of relative looking me like a stranger. My dad came over my bed and gave me a hug and I literally started crying after thinking about the accident. I could not believe after a massive car accident I was still alive. Doctors kept in hospital couple of