Posts Tagged ‘spinal cord injury’
Whiplash occurs when there is an abrupt jerking motion of the head, usually during a car accident. Whiplash can cause extreme pain and long-term reduced mobility and discomfort, and although it can happen to anyone, it occurs most often in men aged 30 to 50 years.
The human head weighs an average of 14 pounds, and there are seven small bones in the neck that hold that weight. It is important that the neck bones maintain an accurate curvature, otherwise the spinal cord can become pinched and it can affect a person’s ability to move, balance, and function properly.
What most people don’t know is that whiplash can occur even during a car accident in which the cars are only traveling at 5-10 mph. It doesn’t take a lot for whiplash to occur and cause serious injuries.
Sometimes it’s hard to know whiplash is the culprit of certain injuries and illnesses. That’s because when the spinal cord is pinched, it may reduce the blood supply to certain organs in the body. When the organ begins to fail, many people fail to connect their symptoms to the whiplash they received days, months, or even years before. Also, whiplash symptoms can last for more than 6 months in more than 75 percent of patients, and even longer in those who are not treated.
So, how do you know you have whiplash? Common symptoms include:
- neck and shoulder pain
- neck and shoulder swelling
- muscle spasms
- blurred vision
- difficulty swallowing
- difficulty moving
- headache
- dizziness
- lightheadedness
- depression
It is extremely important to seek medical attention after experiencing whiplash, even if your symptoms are not immediately apparent. Typically, a doctor or chiropractor will conduct an examination, take X-rays, and make adjustments to any areas of the spine that are out of alignment. Sometimes, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medicines are also prescribed. Unfortunately, people who experience whiplash lose an average of 8 weeks of work. Because of the medical expenses and possible lost wages, it is also extremely important to contact a personal injury attorney who can help you recover any financial damages.
Back injuries can be debilitating. They include spinal cord injuries, paralysis, herniated disks, fractured vertebrae, and muscle and nerve damage. Unfortunately, when someone suffers from a back injury, it severely limits the person’s ability to complete even simple daily tasks. Work becomes very difficult, as does walking, sitting and even eating and sleeping.
According to Medical News Today:
- As many as 80 percent of Americans will experience a back injury at some point in their lives.
- This will cost more than $30 million doctors in doctors’ visits and rehabilitation, and even more in lost wages.
Doctors believe stress can put people at greater risk of back injuries, although most back injuries happen at work, during car collisions, and while participating in high-impact sports. What is very important is to seek medical attention immediately. Many people try to wait and see if their back injury will heal on its own, and it only gets worse. Doctors, chiropractors and osteopaths typically help heal the injury more quickly and with less pain.
However, some back injuries are permanent, and the only treatment available is physical therapy to maintain whatever limited mobility remains. These injuries include paralysis and spinal cord injuries, which are very serious.
Spinal cord injuries are dangerous and can result in paralysis or death. The spinal cord is what connects the brain to the body. Spinal cord injuries usually begin with a blow to the spine, which can happen as a result of automobile accidents, falls, assaults and dives into water. The most damage occurs when pieces of the vertebrae put pressure on nerves, which can cause impairment and immobility. That is why it is so important to keep a victim of spinal cord injury still.
Spinal cords transmit signals that control breathing, movement, bowel movement, sexual feeling, blood pressure and other essential functions. In serious spinal cord injuries, the nerves at the site of injury are so severely damaged that there is no feeling or movement below that point, resulting in paralysis.
Approximately 450,000 people living in the U.S. have spinal cord injuries, and there are about 10,000 new cases every year. The majority of spinal cord injury victims are males between the ages of 16 and 30 years old.
Automobile accidents are one of the primary causes of spinal cord injuries. Millions of people are involved in automobile accidents every year, and thousands of them are injured. Fifty percent of spinal cord injuries each year are caused by automobile accidents.
The next highest cause of spinal cord injuries is violence, or assaults. Gunshot and knife wounds account for the worst, and greatest amount, of injuries to the spinal cord because of violence.
Falls usually occur to older people, although falls from horses, bicycles and while participating in sports such as climbing, bungee jumping and skydiving can also contribute to spinal cord injuries that happen because of falls. Other sports that cause spinal cord injuries include impact sports such as football, rugby and wrestling, as well as speed sports such as speed skating, racecar driving and bobsledding.
The final greatest contributor to spinal cord injuries is disease. Illnesses such as cancer, viral and bacterial infections and arthritis contribute to spinal cord injuries every year.
Spinal cord injuries happen to men more than they happen to women. Other people who are more likely to suffer from spinal cord injuries are those who participate in high elevation, speed or impact sports, and young adults and seniors.
The area of the spine that is damaged determines the areas of the body that are affected. For example, the higher the damage, the greater the extent of paralysis. Spinal cord nerves control breathing, movement, bowel movement, sexual feeling, blood pressure and other essential functions. When a person is paralyzed, he or she loses the ability to control these functions.
Many people with paralysis continue to lead happy lives. Extensive therapy (both physical and mental) and medication is necessary to maintain muscle health and overall health. Mechanical devices have been invented, and continue to be invented, to assist people in their daily activities.
If you or a loved one receives a spinal cord injury, here are some steps to make sure your doctor takes in order to receive the best possible treatment:
- The drug methylprednisolone can reduce improve recovery by 20 percent. It must be administered within 8 hours of when the injury occurred.
- If the spinal cord was compressed, make sure it is decompressed as quickly as possible.
- Ask your doctor to treat for blood clots.
- Make sure your doctor cares for other affected areas, including lungs, heart and bladder.
If you witness or are involved in a spinal cord injury, do not move the victim. Make sure the victim is breathing and has a heartbeat. If not, administer CPR or find someone who can. Call 911. Make sure you tell them the patient needs to go to a Level 1 trauma center. Also, it is very important to contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. Many or all of your medical expenses and other expenses might be covered.
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Stunt Double? Nah.
Having an actor, especially a star actor, get injured and be unable to act and in turn having to delay the film can cost thousands of dollars, but many fans and critics agree that noticing a stunt double in a movie can ruin the entire atmosphere.
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