The long-term risks associated with spinal cord injuries

When a person suffers a spinal cord injury in a car accident, it is a much different experience than any other type of injury. In a broken bone, burn or even many head injuries, the injury is localized to one part of the body. However, with a spinal cord injury, you may have long-term, full-body effects that change the course of your life.

Here is a shortlist of the most concerning long-term spinal cord injury problems:

Lung problems

Among the listed problems are pleural effusion, pneumonia and simple disfunction. These problems range from the rare to the frequent, but they have some common causes. Mostly, it is the extent of the care the patient is under and their risk of infection. Since a person with significant paralysis may not have the muscle control to breathe properly, there will always be concerns for some patients.

Cardiovascular problems

The cardiovascular system includes your heart and blood vessels. Those with spinal cord injuries may no longer have the ability to communicate with their cardiovascular system. As such, regulating blood pressure and other necessary bodily functions becomes impossible. This may lead to dangerously low blood pressure.

Urinary and bowel problems

An inability to control your body’s functions naturally leads to urinary and bowel problems. Not being able to feel when you need to relieve yourself can cause infections and damage. Most people find themselves on medical interventions, but those interventions come with their risks.

Bedsores

Lengthy periods lying down leads to dangerous bedsores. Bedsores can quickly become infected without treatment or regular bedding changes. An infection to a person in a delicate condition is life-threatening.

Lifelong care demands significant compensation.

For a lifetime of care and intervention, you will find yourself on the receiving end of many large, ruinous medical bills. You may also never be able to earn an income as you had before. You deserve care and compensation to preserve you for the indefinite future.