{"id":5480,"date":"2026-09-26T06:59:44","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:59:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/secondary-conditions\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T06:59:44","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:59:44","slug":"secondary-conditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/secondary-conditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Secondary Conditions After Spinal Cord Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1500129994\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1573605491\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1435101375\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<style>\n.scnb{background:linear-gradient(150deg,#1E3A5F 0%,#1D4ED8 55%,#3B82F6 100%);padding:44px 40px 40px;width:100%;overflow:hidden;}\n.scnb *{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0;}\n.scnb-in{max-width:860px;margin:0 auto;}\n.scnb-row{display:flex;align-items:center;gap:10px;margin-bottom:16px;flex-wrap:wrap;}\n.scnb-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.scnb-line{flex:1;height:1px;background:rgba(255,255,255,.2);min-width:20px;}\n.scnb-series{font-size:10px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.5);white-space:nowrap;}\n.scnb-title{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:30px;font-weight:700;line-height:1.2;color:#fff;margin-bottom:12px;}\n.scnb-sub{font-size:15px;font-weight:300;color:rgba(255,255,255,.85);line-height:1.65;max-width:600px;margin-bottom:24px;}\n.scnb-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.scnb-stat{flex:1;min-width:100px;padding:12px 16px;border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.scnb-stat:last-child{border-right:none;}\n.scnb-num{font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:22px;font-weight:700;color:#fff;line-height:1;margin-bottom:3px;}\n.scnb-lbl{font-size:9px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.6);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em;}\n@media(max-width:600px){\n.scnb{padding:32px 20px 28px;}\n.scnb-title{font-size:22px;}\n.scnb-stat{border-right:none;border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);flex:0 0 50%;}\n.scnb-stat:nth-child(odd){border-right:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.15);}\n.scnb-stat:nth-last-child(-n+2){border-bottom:none;}\n}\n<\/style>\n<div class=\"scnb\">\n<div class=\"scnb-in\">\n<div class=\"scnb-row\">\n<span class=\"scnb-tag\">SCI Health &middot; Overview Guide<\/span>\n<span class=\"scnb-line\"><\/span>\n<span class=\"scnb-series\">Newly Injured Essentials<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-title\">Secondary Conditions After Spinal Cord Injury<\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-sub\">Paralysis affects far more than movement. Learn to recognise, prevent and respond to the nine most common complications that follow a spinal cord injury.<\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-stats\">\n<div class=\"scnb-stat\"><div class=\"scnb-num\">9<\/div><div class=\"scnb-lbl\">Key Conditions<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-stat\"><div class=\"scnb-num\">T6+<\/div><div class=\"scnb-lbl\">AD Risk Level<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-stat\"><div class=\"scnb-num\">2 hrs<\/div><div class=\"scnb-lbl\">Reposition Interval<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"scnb-stat\"><div class=\"scnb-num\">4<\/div><div class=\"scnb-lbl\">Pressure Sore Stages<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1500129994 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_447260981\">\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:#BFDBFE;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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1846366895\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1950549314\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:6px;font-size:12px;color:#475569;\">\n<a href=\"\/en\/\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;\">Home<\/a>\n<span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span>\n<a href=\"\/en\/sci-categories\/\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;\">SCI Categories<\/a>\n<span style=\"opacity:.4;\">\/<\/span>\n<span>Secondary Conditions<\/span>\n<span style=\"margin-left:auto;color:#64748B;font-size:11px;\">&#128197; September 2026 &nbsp;&middot;&nbsp; &#128214; ~2,000 words &middot; 10 min read<\/span>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_447260981 {\n  padding-top: 10px;\n  padding-bottom: 10px;\n  background-color: #EFF6FF;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_285432585\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-643089557\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1041826529\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:10px;padding:22px 26px;margin-bottom:28px;\">\n<p style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:16px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 14px;\">&#128203; 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:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Blood Clots (DVT)<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s2\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s3\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Pneumonia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s4\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Skin Care &amp; Pressure Sores<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s5\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Low Blood Pressure<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<ol start=\"6\" style=\"padding-left:18px;margin:0;font-size:13px;display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:4px;\">\n<li><a href=\"#s6\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Spasticity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s7\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Pain<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s8\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Bladder &amp; Urinary Tract Infections<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#s9\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5;\">Bowel Management<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;color:#475569;border-left:4px solid #1D4ED8;padding-left:20px;margin:0 0 44px;font-weight:300;\">A spinal cord injury changes how circulation, breathing, skin, blood pressure, muscles, bladder and bowel all work. These &ldquo;secondary conditions&rdquo; are common &mdash; but most can be prevented or caught early once you know the warning signs. This guide gives you an overview of each one and points you to our in-depth AccessLife guides where they exist.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_285432585 {\n  padding-top: 36px 0 0;\n  padding-bottom: 36px 0 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_877048949\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1785191158\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-280624426\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s1\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">1. Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Blood clots are common in the first few months after injury, and can appear again later whenever you are ill. Walking and leg movement normally keep blood circulating; when the legs cannot move, clot risk rises. Too much bed rest raises it further.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">How clots are prevented<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129510;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 6px;\">Support Hose<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Special stockings that keep steady pressure on the legs.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#127912;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 6px;\">Sequential Compression Devices<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Machines that use air-filled bags to apply pressure to the legs.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128138;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 6px;\">Blood Thinners<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Used in some cases, as prescribed by your doctor.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><div style=\"font-size:24px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129716;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 6px;\">Vein Filters<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Some people have a filter placed to stop clots from reaching the lungs, heart and brain.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#FEF3C7;border-left:4px solid #D97706;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#9888;&#65039;<\/span><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#D97706;margin:0 0 5px;\">Warning signs of a clot in the leg<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Swelling, redness, bluish or whitish skin discoloration, warmth to the touch, and pain. Check your legs every day &mdash; you may not feel a clot forming. The Reeve Foundation also offers a DVT wallet card summarising your medical history to speed up emergency care.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_877048949 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1656308248\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2083361020\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1174057076\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s2\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">2. Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/h2>\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 18px;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#128680;<\/span><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 5px;\">This is a medical emergency<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) must be treated immediately. It usually occurs with injuries at T6 and above: the autonomic nervous system over-reacts, causing a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure. It is triggered by an irritating, painful or uncomfortable stimulus below the level of injury.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">Symptoms may include<\/h3>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Severe headache<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Goosebumps<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Sweating<\/strong> above the level of injury<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Nasal congestion<\/strong><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>High blood pressure<\/strong> &mdash; significantly above your baseline<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Slow pulse<\/strong> &mdash; under 60 beats per minute<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">!<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Flushed face<\/strong> and clammy skin<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">Treatment: find and remove the trigger<\/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:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">1<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Check the <strong>bladder or catheter<\/strong> for fullness or kinks in the tubing.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">2<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Check the <strong>bowel<\/strong> for impaction.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">3<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Check the <strong>skin<\/strong> for bruises, burns, ingrown toenails, pressure sores or a broken bone.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">4<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">Check <strong>clothing<\/strong> for tightness, and watch for extreme heat or cold.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;padding:11px 16px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-weight:700;font-size:12px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;\">5<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">In women, <strong>menstrual cramps or ovarian cysts<\/strong> may also be the cause.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Prescription medicines can help lower blood pressure during an AD episode &mdash; work with your doctor to learn your signs and build a treatment plan. Some medical professionals are unfamiliar with AD, so anyone at risk should carry an information card, such as the Reeve Foundation AD wallet card, to ensure fast and correct treatment.<\/p>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/autonomic-dysreflexia\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#128680; Read our full Autonomic Dysreflexia emergency guide &rarr;<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1656308248 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_355698428\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-2139834086\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-2138975970\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s3\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">3. Pneumonia<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">With cervical and mid-thoracic injuries, secretions can build up in the lungs. Many people with SCI cannot breathe in or out forcefully or cough effectively, which lets bacteria collect and infect the lungs. People injured during water sports may face added risk of pneumonia and lung damage from water entering the lungs at the time of the accident.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"background:#FFF1F2;border-top:3px solid #BE123C;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#BE123C;margin:0 0 8px;\">&#129298; Symptoms<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Shortness of breath, pale skin, fever and increased chest congestion.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#DBEAFE;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 8px;\">&#9989; Prevention<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Be consistent about clearing secretions. Treat lung infections aggressively and seek medical care early.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_355698428 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_220286994\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-835167616\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1695744631\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s4\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">4. Skin Care &amp; Pressure Sores<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Pressure sores &mdash; also called decubitus ulcers or pressure ulcers &mdash; form when an area of the body stays under pressure for too long and blood flow drops. Relieve the pressure and the skin can recover; let it persist and a sore can develop. Bony areas are most at risk. Even a trivial scrape during a transfer, or a small cut from going barefoot, can become an ulcer &mdash; no skin injury should be ignored after paralysis.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:8px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Change position<\/strong> every two hours<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Loose clothing<\/strong> &mdash; comfortable, never tight<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Keep skin dry<\/strong> and free of moisture<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:9px;padding:11px 14px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:22px;height:22px;border-radius:5px;background:#1D4ED8;color:#fff;font-size:11px;font-weight:700;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&#10003;<\/div><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#1E293B;line-height:1.55;margin:0;\"><strong>Proper seating<\/strong> and positioning<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:700;color:#1E293B;margin:22px 0 12px;\">The four stages of pressure sores<\/h3>\n<div style=\"overflow-x:auto;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<table style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:13px;\">\n<tr style=\"background:#1D4ED8;\"><td style=\"padding:10px 14px;color:#fff;font-weight:700;border-radius:8px 0 0 0;\">Stage<\/td><td style=\"padding:10px 14px;color:#fff;font-weight:700;\">What you see<\/td><td style=\"padding:10px 14px;color:#fff;font-weight:700;border-radius:0 8px 0 0;\">What to do<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#EFF6FF;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">1<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">Skin is not broken but is red, and the color does not fade 30 minutes after pressure is removed.<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">Stay off the area and keep up good hygiene.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">2<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">The top layer of skin (epidermis) is broken; a shallow, open sore that may drain.<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">Stay off the area. Cleanse with water or saline, dry it, and apply a transparent or hydrocolloid dressing.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#EFF6FF;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">3<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">Breakdown reaches the second skin layer (dermis) and the fat tissue beneath.<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;border-bottom:1px solid #BFDBFE;\">Consult a doctor for treatment.<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr style=\"background:#fff;\"><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;font-weight:700;color:#BE123C;\">4<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#1E293B;\">Breakdown reaches muscle and bone.<\/td><td style=\"padding:9px 14px;color:#BE123C;font-weight:600;\">Needs immediate medical attention and surgery &mdash; this can be life-threatening.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/pressure-sores-injury\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#129657; Pressure Injury: staging &amp; treatment &rarr;<\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/skin-category\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#128218; Full Skin Health series &rarr;<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_220286994 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1928037118\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-79584564\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-604882144\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s5\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">5. Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">After injury, blood pressure can drop suddenly when you move from lying flat to sitting upright. It happens most often in people with quadriplegia. Symptoms include lightheadedness, dizziness and faintness.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:10px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DBEAFE;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#129510;<\/div><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Compression<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Wrap the legs with support bandages or elastic stockings, or wear an elastic belt around the abdomen.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DBEAFE;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#128034;<\/div><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Move up slowly<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Rise to an upright position gradually rather than all at once.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;padding:14px 18px;background:#EFF6FF;border-radius:8px;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;\"><div style=\"width:36px;height:36px;border-radius:8px;background:#DBEAFE;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:17px;flex-shrink:0;\">&#128138;<\/div><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Medication<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Your doctor may prescribe medicine to keep blood pressure stable.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1928037118 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_194156700\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1735693448\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1309213622\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s6\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">6. Spasticity<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Neurological injury can affect the muscles, producing spasticity (increased tone). It is seen most often after spinal cord injury, stroke, brain injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis.<\/p>\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 18px;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#128161;<\/span><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#0369A1;margin:0 0 5px;\">A change in spasticity is a signal<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">A sudden increase in tone, or a new spasm pattern, can point to a developing complication such as a urinary tract infection or a pressure injury. After SCI, increased spasticity can also be one of the first signs of a syrinx &mdash; a fluid-filled cyst enlarging at the injury site.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/spasticity\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#128170; Read our full Spasticity guide &rarr;<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_194156700 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1976810232\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-536685127\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1224153968\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s7\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">7. Pain<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Most pain is part of the body&rsquo;s recovery and can be treated with medication. But pain can persist and become chronic or neuropathic (nerve) pain. Neuropathic pain is not caused by a direct painful stimulus &mdash; it comes from &ldquo;jumbled&rdquo; sensory signals travelling from below the injury through the damaged cord. It may feel like burning, stinging or tingling, and can come and go or be constant.<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"background:#E0F2FE;border-top:3px solid #0369A1;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#0C4A6E;margin:0 0 10px;\">Medications<\/p><div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Antidepressants and anti-epileptic drugs<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Narcotic painkillers<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#DBEAFE;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:18px;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 10px;\">Other approaches<\/p><div style=\"display:flex;flex-direction:column;gap:6px;\">\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Nerve blocks<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Acupuncture and biofeedback<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:8px;\"><span style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:700;flex-shrink:0;margin-top:1px;\">&rarr;<\/span><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:#475569;line-height:1.5;margin:0;\">Psychological approaches<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Pain can itself trigger other secondary conditions, including <a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/spasticity\/\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:600;\">spasticity<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/autonomic-dysreflexia\/\" style=\"color:#1D4ED8;font-weight:600;\">autonomic dysreflexia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1976810232 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1375550015\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1029552592\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-1908655708\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s8\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">8. Bladder &amp; Urinary Tract Infections<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Paralysis can disrupt the bladder&rsquo;s normal control. The two most common patterns are:<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Spastic Bladder<\/p><p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">High tone &middot; injuries above T12<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">As the bladder fills, a reflex automatically triggers it to empty.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Flaccid Bladder<\/p><p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">Low tone<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Bladder reflexes are sluggish or absent.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">Common management methods are intermittent catheterisation, an indwelling (urethral) catheter, a suprapubic catheter placed surgically through the abdomen, and\/or an external condom catheter.<\/p>\n<div style=\"background:#FEF3C7;border-left:4px solid #D97706;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#9888;&#65039;<\/span><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#D97706;margin:0 0 5px;\">Urinary tract infections (UTIs)<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">UTIs develop when the bladder is not fully emptied or when bacteria from a catheter enter the bladder. Signs include fever, chills, nausea, headache, spasms and autonomic dysreflexia. Reduce the risk with a consistent bladder routine, the right amount of fluids and sterile equipment. Treatment is usually oral antibiotics; a severe infection with fever can reach the kidneys and may need injectable antibiotics.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/bladder-management\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#128167; Read our full Bladder Management guide &rarr;<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1375550015 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_727608610\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-286110655\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-34832289\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div id=\"s9\"><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">9. Bowel Management<\/h2>\n<p style=\"font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;color:#1E293B;margin:0 0 16px;\">SCI affects the bowel much as it affects the bladder:<\/p>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Spastic Bowel<\/p><p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">Injuries above T12<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">The ability to sense a full rectum may be lost.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;\"><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 3px;\">Flaccid Bowel<\/p><p style=\"font-size:10px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.06em;margin:0 0 6px;\">Injuries below T12<\/p><p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#475569;line-height:1.6;margin:0;\">Damage to the defecation reflex relaxes the anal sphincter and prevents a bowel movement.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"background:#DBEAFE;border-left:4px solid #1D4ED8;border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;display:flex;gap:14px;align-items:flex-start;margin:0 0 18px;\"><span style=\"font-size:22px;flex-shrink:0;line-height:1;\">&#9989;<\/span><div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 5px;\">Follow a schedule<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;line-height:1.65;color:#1E293B;margin:0;\">A regular bowel program is the best prevention &mdash; bowel problems can trigger autonomic dysreflexia. Programs typically take 30&ndash;60 minutes and should be done at least every other day. Options include digital stimulation, suppositories, laxatives and enemas; surgery can help when less aggressive methods fail.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/bowel-management\/\" style=\"display:inline-flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#1D4ED8;text-decoration:none;background:#EFF6FF;border:1px solid #BFDBFE;border-radius:20px;padding:7px 16px;\">&#129729; Read our full Bowel Management guide &rarr;<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_727608610 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_476493107\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1207022140\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-639342291\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<h2 style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;font-size:26px;font-weight:700;color:#1E3A5F;padding-bottom:10px;border-bottom:2px solid #DBEAFE;margin:0 0 16px;\">Go Deeper: AccessLife Guides<\/h2>\n<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);gap:12px;margin:0 0 20px;\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/bladder-management\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #0369A1;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128167;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Bladder Management<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read guide &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/bowel-management\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #166534;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129729;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Bowel Management<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read guide &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/autonomic-dysreflexia\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128680;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Autonomic Dysreflexia<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read guide &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/spasticity\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #166534;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128170;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Spasticity<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read guide &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/pressure-sores-injury\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #C0392B;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#129657;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Pressure Injuries<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read guide &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/skin-category\/\" style=\"text-decoration:none;border:1px solid #E2E8F0;border-top:3px solid #0F766E;border-radius:10px;padding:16px;background:#fff;text-align:center;display:block;\"><div style=\"font-size:26px;margin-bottom:8px;\">&#128218;<\/div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:13px;color:#1E3A5F;margin:0 0 4px;\">Skin Health Series<\/p><p style=\"font-size:11px;color:#1D4ED8;margin:0;\">Read series &rarr;<\/p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_476493107 {\n  padding-top: 0 0 36px;\n  padding-bottom: 0 0 36px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_430278153\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-360246576\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-891682186\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#1E3A5F;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><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Reeve Foundation Information Specialists<\/p><p style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);margin:0;\">Free one-on-one support &middot; 1-800-225-0292<\/p><\/div>\n<div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Reeve Foundation Fact Sheets A&ndash;Z<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/living-with-paralysis\/fact-sheets-a-z\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hundreds of topics, from aging with SCI to secondary complications &mdash; including the AD and DVT wallet cards<\/a><\/div>\n<div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">Original Source Article<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.christopherreeve.org\/todays-care\/living-with-paralysis\/newly-paralyzed\/what-are-the-secondary-conditions-associated-with-paralysis\/\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What are the secondary conditions? &mdash; Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation<\/a><\/div>\n<div><p style=\"font-weight:700;font-size:14px;color:#fff;margin:0 0 3px;\">AccessLife SCI Categories Hub<\/p><a href=\"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/sci-categories\/\" style=\"font-size:13px;color:rgba(255,255,255,.65);text-decoration:none;\">All AccessLife SCI health guides in one place<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_430278153 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1124094193\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-1629343850\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-189188900\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<div style=\"background:#1E3A5F;padding:36px 40px;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,.12);\">\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;\"><div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Autonomic dysreflexia is an emergency for injuries at T6 and above &mdash; find and remove the trigger immediately, and carry an AD wallet card.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\"><div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Check your legs daily for signs of a blood clot and your skin daily for redness or wounds &mdash; you may not feel either developing.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\"><div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Change position every two hours to prevent pressure sores; a stage 4 sore can be life-threatening.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\"><div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">A sudden change in spasticity can be an early warning of a UTI, pressure injury or syrinx.<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"display:flex;align-items:flex-start;gap:12px;\"><div style=\"width:8px;height:8px;border-radius:50%;background:rgba(255,255,255,.4);flex-shrink:0;margin-top:7px;\"><\/div><p style=\"font-size:14px;line-height:1.7;color:rgba(255,255,255,.9);margin:0;\">Consistent bladder and bowel routines prevent infections, impaction and AD episodes.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1124094193 {\n  padding-top: 0;\n  padding-bottom: 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\n\n\t<section class=\"section\" id=\"section_1860163843\">\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<div class=\"row\"  id=\"row-470263515\">\n\n\t<div id=\"col-185845657\" class=\"col medium-12 large-12\"  >\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"col-inner\"  >\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<p style=\"font-size:12px;color:#64748B;line-height:1.7;margin:0;\">Adapted from &ldquo;What are the secondary conditions?&rdquo; by the Christopher &amp; Dana Reeve Foundation. This guide is for education only and does not replace advice from your medical team &middot; &copy; 2026 AccessLife<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n<style>\n#section_1860163843 {\n  padding-top: 16px 0 8px;\n  padding-bottom: 16px 0 8px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\t<\/section>\n\t\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-5480","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5480","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=5480"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5480\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/accesslife.co\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5480"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}