OTHER COMPLICATIONS OF SPINAL CORD INJURY: AUTONOMIC DYSREFLEXIA (HYPERREFLEXIA): TREATMENT

     Treatment of autonomic dysreflexia must be initiated quickly to prevent complications.

• Remain in a sitting position, but do a pressure release immediately. You may transfer yourself to bed, but always keep your head elevated.
• Since a full bladder is the most common cause, check the urinary drainage system. If you have a Foley or suprapubic catheter, check the following:
  • Is your drainage full?
  • Is there a kink in the tubing?
  • Is the drainage bag at a higher level than your bladder?
  • Is the catheter plugged?

     After correcting an obvious problem, and if your catheter is not draining within 2-3 minutes, your catheter must be changed immediately. If you do not have a Foley or suprapubic catheter, perform a catheterization and empty your bladder.

     If your bladder has not triggered the episode of autonomic dysreflexia, the cause may be your Bowel. Perform a digital stimulation and empty your bowel. If you are performing a digital stimulation when the symptoms first appear, stop the procedure and resume after the symptoms subside.

If your bladder or bowel are not the cause, check to see if:

• You have a pressure sore
• You have an ingrown toenail
• You have a fractured bone.

     If you are unable to find the stimulus causing autonomic dysreflexia, or your attempts to receive the stimulus fail, you need to obtain emergency medical treatment. Since not all physicians are familiar with autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia) and its treatment, you should carry a card in your billfold that describes the condition and the treatment required.

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