Spinal Autonomic Dysreflexia refers to a medical condition characterized by an abnormal response of the autonomic nervous system following a spinal cord injury. It primarily occurs in individuals with a spinal cord lesion at or above the level of the sixth thoracic vertebra (T6).
The autonomic nervous system regulates many involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, and sweating. In cases of spinal cord injury, the normal mechanisms that regulate these functions are disrupted, leading to dysregulation in autonomic responses.
Spinal Autonomic Dysreflexia is triggered by various stimuli below the level of the spinal cord injury, such as urinary bladder distension, bowel distension, pressure sores, or other painful conditions. These stimuli send signals to the spinal cord, but due to the lesion, the signals are unable to reach the brain. As a result, there is an exaggerated response from the autonomic nervous system, leading to symptoms such as high blood pressure, headache, flushing, sweating above the lesion level, and bradycardia.
If not promptly treated, Spinal Autonomic Dysreflexia can result in potentially life-threatening complications such as stroke, seizure, or cardiac arrhythmias. Therefore, immediate medical intervention is required to identify and alleviate the triggering stimuli. Treatment options include removing the source of stimulation, restoring normal blood flow, or administering medications to control blood pressure.
In sum, Spinal Autonomic Dysreflexia is a condition in individuals with spinal cord injuries that involves an abnormal response of the autonomic nervous system, leading to potentially severe symptoms and complications.
