{"id":5269,"date":"2026-04-13T14:31:57","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/?page_id=5269"},"modified":"2026-07-12T22:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T22:16:43","slug":"autonomic-dysreflexia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/autonomic-dysreflexia\/","title":{"rendered":"Autonomic Dysreflexia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_594657499\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1860848654\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1690449647\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<style>\n.ad1r{background:linear-gradient(150deg,#7F1D1D 0%,#C0392B 55%,#EF4444 100%);padding:44px 40px 40px;width:100%;overflow:hidden;}\n.ad1r *{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0;}\n.ad1r-in{max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;}\n.ad1r-row{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin-bottom:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.ad1r-tag{font-size:10px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.13em;text-transform:uppercase;background:rgba(255,255,255,.15);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.28);color:#fff;padding:4px 12px;border-radius:20px;white-space:nowrap;}\n.ad1r-line{flex:1;height:1px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.2);min-width:20px;}\n.ad1r-series{font-size:10px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);white-space:nowrap;}\n.ad1r-title{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:30px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;color:#fff;margin-bottom:12px;}\n.ad1r-sub{font-size:15px;font-weight:300;color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);line-height:1.65;max-width:600px;margin-bottom:24px;}\n.ad1r-stats{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;background:rgba(255,255,255,.1);border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.2);border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;}\n.ad1r-stat{flex:1;min-width:100px;padding:12px 16px;border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.ad1r-stat:last-child{border-right:none;}\n.ad1r-num{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;line-height:1;margin-bottom:3px;}\n.ad1r-lbl{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n.ad1r{padding:32px 20px 28px;}\n.ad1r-title{font-size:22px;}\n.ad1r-stat{border-right:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);flex:0 0 50%;}\n.ad1r-stat:nth-child(odd){border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.ad1r-stat:nth-last-child(-n+2){border-bottom:none;}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"ad1r\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-in\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-row\">\n      <span class=\"ad1r-tag\">\ud83d\udea8 MEDICAL ALERT \u00b7 SCI Secondary Conditions<\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"ad1r-line\"><\/span><br \/>\n      <span class=\"ad1r-series\">Critical Health Guide<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-title\">Autonomic Dysreflexia: Recognition, Triggers &amp; Emergency Treatment<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-sub\">A sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure that can occur in SCI above T6 \u2014 understanding AD can be life-saving. Know the signs. Know the steps. Act immediately.<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-stats\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-stat\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-num\">48\u201390%<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-lbl\">SCI above T6 at risk<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-stat\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-num\">22%<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-lbl\">Mortality rate if untreated<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-stat\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-num\">300\u2013400%<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-lbl\">Increased stroke risk<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-stat\">\n<div class=\"ad1r-num\">63%<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad1r-lbl\">Silent AD \u2014 no symptoms<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_594657499 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1370737190\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"is-border\"\n\t\tstyle=\"border-color:#FECACA;border-width:0 0 1px 0;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-894922329\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1053204844\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px;font-size:12px;color:#475569;\">\n  <a href=\"\/en\/\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;\">Home<\/a><br \/>\n  <span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span><br \/>\n  <a href=\"\/en\/health\/\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;\">Health<\/a><br \/>\n  <span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span><br \/>\n  <a href=\"\/en\/secondary-conditions\/\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;\">Secondary Conditions<\/a><br \/>\n  <span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span><br \/>\n  <span>Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/span><br \/>\n  <span style=\"margin-left:auto;color:#64748B;font-size:11px;\">\ud83d\udcc5 April 2026 &nbsp;\u00b7&nbsp; \ud83d\udcd6 ~4,500 words \u00b7 18 min read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1370737190 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n  background-color: #FEF2F2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1131011283\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-789483184\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-464406353\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div style=\"background:#FEF2F2;border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:22px 26px;margin-bottom:28px;\">\n<p style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 14px;\">\ud83d\udccb In This Article<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:5px 24px;\">\n<ol style=\"padding-left:18px;margin:0;font-size:13px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;\">\n<li><a href=\"#s1\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">What is Autonomic Dysreflexia?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Who is at Risk?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Symptoms in Adults &amp; Children<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Silent Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"5\" style=\"padding-left:18px;margin:0;font-size:13px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;\">\n<li><a href=\"#s5\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">How AD is Diagnosed<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s6\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Common Triggers<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Emergency Treatment Steps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\" style=\"color:#C0392B;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Rehabilitation &amp; Care Team<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;color:#475569;border-left:4px solid #C0392B;padding-left:20px;margin:0 0 44px;font-weight:300;\">Autonomic dysreflexia is a sudden, potentially life-threatening spike in blood pressure that affects people with spinal cord injuries at T6 and above. Unlike many secondary conditions that develop slowly, AD can escalate to stroke, cardiac arrest, or death within minutes. This guide covers everything you need to recognise an episode, identify the trigger, and act fast.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1131011283 {\n  padding-top: 28px 0 8px;\n  padding-bottom: 28px 0 8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_2048352046\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-136240690\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-674622621\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s1\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">What is Autonomic Dysreflexia?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">The autonomic nervous system (ANS) controls everything your body does automatically \u2014 heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, temperature, sweating, and hundreds of other functions. It has two balancing sides: the <strong>sympathetic<\/strong> system (speeds things up \u2014 fight or flight) and the <strong>parasympathetic<\/strong> system (slows things down \u2014 rest and digest).<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">After a spinal cord injury above T6, that balance breaks down. When something irritating or noxious happens below the level of injury, the sensory nerves send a signal upward \u2014 but the brain&#8217;s correcting message can&#8217;t fully get back down through the damaged cord. Instead, the sympathetic nervous system fires a massive, uncontrolled burst of activity throughout the body. Blood pressure surges dangerously high. The parasympathetic system tries to counteract above the injury level but cannot stop the storm below. This is autonomic dysreflexia.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#FEE2E2;border-left:4px solid #BE123C;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\ud83d\udea8<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">AD is a Medical Emergency<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Because the ANS is automatic, you cannot consciously control or stop an AD episode. Emergency treatment must begin immediately. Do not wait to see if it passes on its own.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">Sympathetic vs. Parasympathetic \u2014 What Each Controls<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"background:#FEF2F2;border-top:3px solid #BE123C;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 8px;\">\u26a1 Sympathetic (Fight or Flight)<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Raises heart rate and blood pressure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Dilates airways, increases respiration<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Constricts blood vessels<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Triggers sweat and goosebumps<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#F0FDF4;border-top:3px solid #166534;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#166534;margin:0 0 8px;\">\ud83c\udf3f Parasympathetic (Rest &amp; Digest)<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:5px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Supports digestion and bowel function<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Promotes rest and recovery<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#166534;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Controls bladder and sexual function<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_2048352046 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 44px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 44px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_761894066\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-237857974\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-518437807\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s2\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">Who is at Risk for Autonomic Dysreflexia?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Any injury or disease affecting the <strong>upper motor neurons<\/strong> \u2014 located in the brain and upper spinal cord \u2014 creates the conditions for AD. The most well-known risk group is people with spinal cord injury at T6 and above, but the population is broader than many realise.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83e\udec0<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Spinal Cord Injury<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#C0392B;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">PRIMARY RISK GROUP<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Injury at T6 and above. Some research also shows risk in injuries as low as T10 due to anatomical variation and extended trauma zones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83e\udde0<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Brain Injury &amp; Stroke<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#C0392B;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">UPPER MOTOR NEURON DAMAGE<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) is a specific form seen in brain injury, with fever, tachycardia, high BP, and sweating.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83d\udd2c<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Multiple Sclerosis<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#C0392B;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">PROGRESSIVE NEUROLOGICAL<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Upper motor neuron involvement in MS can trigger AD episodes; onset may occur at an unknown stage of disease progression.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\u26a1<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">Guillain-Barr\u00e9 &amp; Others<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#C0392B;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">OTHER NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Any disease or injury disrupting the autonomic nervous system can produce AD episodes, even without a formal SCI diagnosis.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#FFF1F2;border-left:4px solid #BE123C;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 0;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\u26a0\ufe0f<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">Not Everyone with These Diagnoses Will Develop AD<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">It is not fully understood why some people develop AD and others do not, or why some experience more severe episodes. There are rare cases of AD with no identified neurological cause at all.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_761894066 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n  background-color: #FEF2F2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1985904830\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1069517408\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1995503850\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s3\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">Symptoms of Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Symptoms vary significantly between individuals. Some people experience one symptom; others experience many. Even <strong>mild symptoms must never be ignored<\/strong> \u2014 any symptom can indicate a dangerous blood pressure elevation. The pounding headache is the most commonly cited sign, but AD can occur without it.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#FEE2E2;border-left:4px solid #BE123C;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 24px;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\ud83d\udea8<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">Blood Pressure Monitoring is Essential<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Elevated blood pressure above your personal baseline \u2014 even without obvious symptoms \u2014 can lead to stroke, cardiac arrest, seizures, retinal haemorrhage, pulmonary oedema, and death if untreated.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 12px;\">Symptoms in Adults<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background:#FEF2F2;border-top:3px solid #BE123C;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 10px;\">\u2b06\ufe0f ABOVE Level of Injury<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\"><strong>Hypertension<\/strong> \u2014 BP rise of 20\u201340 mmHg systolic above usual<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Bradycardia or tachycardia (slow or fast heart rate)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Pounding headache<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Apprehension, anxiety, or uneasy feeling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Changes in vision<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Nasal congestion, sweating, flushed skin<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Goosebumps and tingling sensation<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#FEF2F2;border-top:3px solid #7F1D1D;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 10px;\">\u2b07\ufe0f BELOW Level of Injury<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Nausea<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Chills without fever<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#C0392B;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Clammy, cool, and pale skin<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 12px;\">Symptoms in Children<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"background:#FFF7ED;border-top:3px solid #EA580C;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7C2D12;margin:0 0 10px;\">\u2b06\ufe0f ABOVE Level of Injury<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\"><strong>BP rise of 15 mmHg<\/strong> (children) or <strong>15\u201320 mmHg<\/strong> (adolescents) systolic<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Bradycardia or tachycardia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Big headache, feeling nervous or scared<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Red cheeks, neck, or shoulders<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Blurry vision, stuffy nose, sweating, goosebumps, tingling<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#FFF7ED;border-top:3px solid #C2410C;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7C2D12;margin:0 0 10px;\">\u2b07\ufe0f BELOW Level of Injury<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Upset stomach or nausea<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Chills without fever<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#EA580C;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;\">\u2192<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Clammy, cool, pale skin<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1985904830 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1991566566\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1104271729\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-987659534\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s4\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">What is Silent Autonomic Dysreflexia?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Silent AD is one of the most dangerous \u2014 and underrecognised \u2014 forms of autonomic dysreflexia. Blood pressure rises to dangerous levels, but the person feels <strong>no symptoms at all<\/strong>. There is no headache, no flushing, no warning. Silent AD has been detected during sleep monitoring, bladder assessments, and routine bowel programmes.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83d\ude34<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">During Sleep<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Blood pressure monitored during sleep has revealed silent AD episodes with no waking symptoms.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83d\udd2c<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Bladder Assessments<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Urodynamic testing and cystoscopy can trigger silent AD episodes that require BP monitoring throughout.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;\">\n<div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">\ud83e\ude7a<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Bowel Programmes<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Routine bowel care has been found to silently elevate blood pressure to AD-level thresholds.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#E0F2FE;border-left:4px solid #0369A1;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 0;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\ud83d\udca1<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#0369A1;margin:0 0 5px;\">Monitor Routinely \u2014 Even Without Symptoms<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Studies show silent AD affects 42.9\u201363.6% of people with SCI at T6 and above. During routine activities and procedures, blood pressure should be actively monitored. Any elevation should be immediately reported to a healthcare professional for evaluation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1991566566 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n  background-color: #FEF2F2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1167742400\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2066646173\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-408688764\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s5\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">How Autonomic Dysreflexia is Diagnosed<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">There is no blood test or imaging scan that detects AD directly. Diagnosis is based on <strong>blood pressure assessment<\/strong> at the time of symptoms. Knowing your personal baseline BP is critical \u2014 because SCI often lowers resting blood pressure over time, a reading that looks &#8220;normal&#8221; may actually represent a dangerous spike for you.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">Blood Pressure Thresholds for AD Diagnosis<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">A<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\"><strong>Adults:<\/strong> Rise of <strong>20\u201340 mmHg systolic<\/strong> above personal baseline<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">T<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\"><strong>Adolescents:<\/strong> Rise of <strong>15\u201320 mmHg systolic<\/strong> above personal baseline<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">C<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\"><strong>Children:<\/strong> Rise of <strong>15 mmHg systolic<\/strong> above personal baseline<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 0;\">Note: Adults with SCI at T6 and above often have a resting BP of <strong>90\u2013110 mmHg systolic<\/strong> \u2014 lower than the pre-injury norm. This baseline must be established and documented so any dangerous rise is caught early.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1167742400 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1513258130\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1544359026\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1119846345\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s6\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">Common Triggers for Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">A trigger is anything the body perceives as noxious or irritating <strong>below the level of injury<\/strong>. Because sensation is reduced or absent in that zone, the body can&#8217;t correct the problem normally \u2014 so it fires the AD response instead. The three most common trigger sources are the bladder, bowel, and skin.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;margin:0 0 24px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#FEE2E2;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">\ud83d\udca7<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">#1 \u2014 Bladder (Most Common)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Blocked, kinked, or clogged catheter; bladder overdistension; spasms; detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD); bladder stones or infection; urodynamic testing; overfull or heavy leg bag; tight leg bag straps; wet containment garments.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#FEE2E2;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">\ud83e\ude7a<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">#2 \u2014 Bowel<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Constipation, impaction, incomplete bowel programme, gas, overzealous digital stimulation, enemas, manual removal; also diarrhoea, diverticulitis, Crohn&#8217;s disease, fissures, and haemorrhoids.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#FEE2E2;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">\ud83e\ude79<\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 3px;\">#3 \u2014 Skin &amp; Clothing<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Pressure injuries (any stage), rashes, cuts, bruises, ingrown toenails, sitting on a wrinkle; constrictive clothing \u2014 tight socks, jeans rivets, ill-fitting shoes, belts, bras, or even an air current over skin.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 12px;\">Additional Triggers<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px;margin:0 0 0;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Temperature changes \u2014 fever, chills, hot or cold environment<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Spasticity anywhere in the body<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Internal organ issues \u2014 gallstones, appendicitis, ulcers, ovarian cysts<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Sexual function, menstruation, pregnancy, or childbirth<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">DVT or pulmonary embolism<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#fff;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">\u2713<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\">Heterotopic ossification, pain, eye strain from screens or sunlight<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1513258130 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n  background-color: #FEF2F2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1390559030\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-554506908\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1783353961\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s7\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">Emergency Treatment \u2014 Step by Step<\/h2>\n<div style=\"background:#FEE2E2;border-left:4px solid #BE123C;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\ud83d\udea8<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">AD is a Medical Emergency \u2014 Act Immediately<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Do not wait. Do not see if it passes. Call 911 without hesitation if the trigger cannot be found or if blood pressure does not come down after correcting known triggers.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">1<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Sit bolt upright immediately.<\/strong> Torso and hips at 90\u00b0. Ask for help if needed. This uses orthostatic hypotension to cause a sudden blood pressure drop as blood rushes away from your head.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">2<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Monitor blood pressure every 2\u20133 minutes<\/strong> until it returns to your normal range.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">3<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Loosen all tight or restrictive items<\/strong> \u2014 belts, clothing, leg bag straps, shoes \u2014 while getting into the sitting position.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">4<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Search for the trigger.<\/strong> In this order: (1) Check urine flow \u2014 catheterise if little or no output. (2) Check bowel \u2014 disimpact if stool is present. (3) Check skin \u2014 remove wrinkles, constrictions, and tight clothing. If your usual trigger is known, address it first.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">5<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Administer prescribed medication if available.<\/strong> Common options include Nitro Paste (\u00bd&#8221; under 13 yrs; 1&#8243; age 13+), applied topically above the level of injury every 30 minutes \u2014 washed off once BP stabilises. Or Nifedipine (immediate release, sublingual or chewed). Never administer IV antihypertensives outside a monitored ICU setting. Consult your prescriber about which medication is right for you.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEF2F2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FECACA;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#C0392B;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">6<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Continue monitoring for at least two hours<\/strong> after blood pressure stabilises.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 16px;background:#FEE2E2;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #FCA5A5;\">\n<div style=\"width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:50%;background:#7F1D1D;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:13px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">7<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;line-height:1.65;\"><strong>Call 911 immediately<\/strong> if trigger cannot be found, or if blood pressure remains elevated after corrections. Risk of stroke, cardiac arrest, seizures, retinal haemorrhage, pulmonary oedema, and death is real without medical intervention.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1390559030 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1309002030\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-861365393\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1497280794\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div id=\"s8\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#7F1D1D;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #FEE2E2;margin:0 0 16px;\">Rehabilitation &amp; Your Care Team<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.8;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Managing AD is a team effort. The moment you suspect an episode is starting, begin treatment by sitting up \u2014 then call for help. Every member of your care network should know about your AD, because in a severe episode you may not have time to explain.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:10px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Physiatrist \/ Neurologist \/ GP<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Provides diagnosis, prescribes medications, and adjusts treatment plans as episodes evolve or triggers change.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Rehabilitation Registered Nurse<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Educates you and your caregivers on identifying AD, performing emergency treatment, and responding to crises in hospital and community settings.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Urologist<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Addresses bladder-specific triggers \u2014 numbing agents, catheter selection, sphincterotomy, and urodynamic assessment strategies that minimise AD risk.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #FECACA;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\">\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#7F1D1D;margin:0 0 4px;\">Home Caregivers<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Often the first responders during an episode at home \u2014 monitoring BP, helping into a sitting position, calling 911, and assisting with trigger identification.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#E0F2FE;border-left:4px solid #0369A1;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 0;\">\n  <span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">\ud83d\udca1<\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#0369A1;margin:0 0 5px;\">Tell Everyone Who Cares for You<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">This includes therapists, teachers (for children), support workers, and any healthcare professional who may encounter you during a procedure. Download and carry the Reeve Foundation&#8217;s free <strong>Autonomic Dysreflexia Wallet Card<\/strong> \u2014 available in multiple languages at christopherreeve.org\/cards.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1309002030 {\n  padding-top: 44px 0;\n  padding-bottom: 44px 0;\n  background-color: #FEF2F2;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_343621619\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1231755020\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-69359642\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div style=\"background:#7F1D1D;padding:36px 40px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;\">\n<div style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;margin:0 0 18px;\">Resources &amp; Further Reading<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:14px;\">\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Reeve Foundation \u2014 Information Specialists<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);margin:0;\">Mon\u2013Fri, 9am\u20138pm ET \u00b7 Toll-free: 800-539-7309<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">AD Wallet Card (Adults, Children, Multi-language)<\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/todays-care\/living-with-paralysis\/cards.html\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">christopherreeve.org\/cards \u2014 free download or call for a print copy<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Consortium for SCI Medicine \u2014 Clinical Guidelines (2nd Ed.)<\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/pva-cdnendpoint.azureedge.net\/prod\/libraries\/media\/pva\/library\/publications\/cpg_autonomic-dysreflexia.pdf\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Acute Management of Autonomic Dysreflexia \u2014 Paralyzed Veterans of America<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Washington State DOH \u2014 Trauma Rehabilitation Clinical Guideline<\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.doh.wa.gov\/Portals\/1\/Documents\/Pubs\/530237.pdf\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Autonomic Dysreflexia Guideline \u2014 January 2020<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Reeve Foundation Fact Sheets Repository<\/p>\n<p>    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/todays-care\/living-with-paralysis\/factsheets.html\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hundreds of topics on secondary conditions and state resources<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_343621619 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1555714449\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1288365936\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-208203317\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<div style=\"background:#7F1D1D;padding:36px 40px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.1);\">\n<div style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;margin:0 0 18px;\">Key Takeaways<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">AD is a medical emergency \u2014 elevated blood pressure from a missed trigger can cause stroke, cardiac arrest, or death within minutes. Never wait to see if it resolves on its own.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">The first action in any episode is to sit bolt upright immediately. This alone can begin to lower blood pressure using orthostatic hypotension.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">The three most common triggers are the bladder, bowel, and skin. Always check these in order when searching for the cause of an episode.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Silent AD \u2014 elevated blood pressure with no symptoms \u2014 affects 42.9\u201363.6% of people with SCI at T6 and above. Regular blood pressure monitoring during routine activities is essential.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Know your personal baseline blood pressure \u2014 people with SCI often run lower than the general population, so a reading that looks normal may actually represent a dangerous rise for you.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\">\n<div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Everyone in your care circle \u2014 caregivers, therapists, teachers, and all healthcare providers \u2014 must be aware of your AD and how to respond. Carry the Reeve Foundation wallet card at all times.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1555714449 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1084055071\">\n\t\t<div class=\"section-bg fill\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"is-border\"\n\t\tstyle=\"border-color:#E2E8F0;border-width:1px 0 0 0;\">\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\n\t\t<div class=\"section-content relative\">\n\t\t\t\n\n<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-834688512\">\n\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1254966905\" class=\"col large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#64748B;line-height:1.7;margin:0;\">Content adapted from the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation National Paralysis Resource Center \u00b7 christopherreeve.org \u00b7 800-539-7309 &copy; 2026 AccessLife<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n\n<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1084055071 {\n  padding-top: 16px 0 8px;\n  padding-bottom: 16px 0 8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5269","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5269","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5269"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5271,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5269\/revisions\/5271"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}