Patient story

Mr. Dong Chuan, 21 years old, suffered from C6 blow-out fracture via an accident since 2005, then was founded C3-C7 complete spinal cord injury, the body below his neck is palsy, no sensation. His main symptoms included severe spasm of his limbs, central neural high temperature, frequently high fever, his weight is reduced from 70kg to 40kg 1 year after the accident.

1.      Before receiving the stem cell transplantations, we can see that:

The body below his neck is palsy;

Severe spasm of his limbs;

Central neural high temperature, underwent high fever frequently;

His weight is reduced to 40kg;

He could not control his urination and bowl movement by himself.

2.      After receiving the stem cell transplantations, the patient is able to:

His muscle tension is improved to normal level;

The sensation of his body is improved obviously;

Feeding himself by holding a spoon in person;

Playing his computer by himself;

Sweating by himself;

Standing by himself via braces;

His weight is increased to over 70kg;

Controlling urination and bowl movement by himselfwww.thebrightdirection.com

Sexuality for Women with Spinal Cord Injury

Sexuality

Sexuality is an expression of one's self as a woman or man. It is intimate in nature, which means it is personal and private. Sexuality is commonly expressed through physical and emotional closeness. Most people consider sexual activity as a means to express physical intimacy. However, physical intimacy is more than sexual intercourse. Holding hands, hugging and kissing are good examples of ways to express physical intimacy. Likewise, emotional intimacy is more than feelings that result from physical contact. Emotional intimacy can be a connection with one's self that results in feelings of self-satisfaction, confidence and self-worth. It may also be a feeling of trust in another person and an openness to share private thoughts and feelings.

After Spinal Cord Injury

As a woman with spinal cord injury (SCI), you will discover that sexuality is still an important part of your life. It may take some time for a newly injured woman to become comfortable with her body and resume natural feelings of sexuality. Healthy adjustment begins with knowing the facts about the impact of SCI on sexual issues.

Sexual Function

In actuality, there are few physiological changes after injury that prevent women from engaging in sexual activity. Some women have decreased vaginal lubrication. This problem is likely the result of the interruption in normal nerve signals from the brain to the genital area.

Typically, lubrication occurs as a mental and physical reflex response to something sexually stimulating or arousing. Lubrication is a sign of sexual arousal and generally results in easier vaginal penetration and more pleasurable sexual activity. While most women with SCI maintain some degree of lubrication, those who wish can utilize a waterbased lubricant (never use oil based lubricants), such as K-Y Jelly, to facilitate sexual activity.

Depending on your level and completeness of injury, you may experience a change in surface sensation and ability to contract your muscles. This may lead you to try sexual positions or activities different from those prior to your injury. Talking to your partner about your need and/or desire for these new activities and positions is also a way to improve your relationship.

One of the changes that you may notice after SCI is that it takes longer for an orgasm to occur and/or it feels different. While the majority of women with SCI are able to experience orgasm, it may take more stimulation than prior to injury. Also, many of the medications that women take can make it more difficult to achieve orgasm.

If you are having difficulties, the use of a vibrator may help women with an injury below the T6 level. It may also be helpful to speak with your physician to see if your medications could be adjusted to minimize their impact on your sexual responses.

Conclusion

Sexuality does not have to change after spinal cord injury. Women with SCI can still express sexuality both physically and emotionally. However, it is important for women to learn how their injury may have changed their mind and body. When you prevent potential problems and properly manage areas of concern, you will feel comfortable in exploring, expressing, and enjoying all aspects of sexuality regardless of your level of injury.

If needed, women with SCI should not hesitate to get professional advice if they experience problems related to sexuality. For example, a professional counselor can help resolve problems with self-adjustment and relationship issues. A physiatrist (doctor who specializes in rehabilitation medicine) can be an educational resource for women and help them manage medical issues. Plus, a physiatrist can likely recommend a urologist and gynecologist knowledgeable on issues related to sexual and reproductive health for women with spinal cord injury.

Spinal Cord Injury: Basic Facts

www.thebrightdirection.com

Spinal cord injury occurs when there is any damage to the spinal cord that blocks communication between the brain and the body. After a spinal cord injury, a person’s sensory, motor and reflex messages are affected and may not be able to get past the damage in the spinal cord. In general, the higher on the spinal cord the injury occurs, the more dysfunction the person will experience. Injuries are referred to as complete or incomplete, based on whether any movement and sensation occurs at or below the level of injury.

The most important – and sometimes frustrating – thing to know is that each person’s recovery from spinal cord injury is different.

CAUSES

Traumatic injuries

·        Motor vehicle accidents

·        Football

·        Falls

·        Gymnastics

·        Violence

·        Diving into shallow water

Spinal cord injuries affect more men than women. The majority of people who sustain a spinal cord injury are young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 because of riskier behaviors.

Non-traumatic injuries/illnesses

·        Cancer Osteoporosis

·        Multiple sclerosis

·        Inflammation of the spinal cord

·        Arthritis

EFFECTS

The effects of spinal cord injury may include the following:

·        Loss of movement

·        Loss of sensation

·        Loss of bowel and/or bladder control

·        Exaggerated reflex actions or spasms

·        Changes in sexual function, sexual sensitivity and fertility

·        Pain or intense stinging sensation

Diabetes treatment: Using insulin to manage blood sugar

Insulin therapy is often an important part of diabetes treatment. Understand the key role insulin plays in managing your blood sugar, and the goals of insulin therapy. What you learn can help you prevent diabetes complications.

The role of insulin in the body

It may be easier to understand the importance of insulin therapy if you understand how insulin normally works in the body and what happens when you have diabetes.

·         Regulate sugar in your bloodstream. The main job of insulin is to keep the level of sugar in the bloodstream within a normal range. After you eat, carbohydrates break down into sugar and enter the bloodstream in the form of glucose, a sugar that serves as a primary source of energy. Normally, the pancreas responds by producing insulin, which allows sugar to enter the tissues.

·         Storage of excess glucose for energy. After you eat — when insulin levels are high — excess glucose is stored in the liver in the form of glycogen. Between meals — when insulin levels are low — the liver releases glycogen into the bloodstream in the form of sugar. This keeps blood sugar levels within a narrow range.

If your pancreas secretes little or no insulin (type 1 diabetes), or your body doesn't produce enough insulin or has become resistant to insulin's action (type 2 diabetes), the level of sugar in your bloodstream increases because it's unable to enter cells. Left untreated, high blood sugar can lead to complications such as blindness, nerve damage (neuropathy) and kidney damage.

The goals of insulin therapy

If you have type 1 diabetes, insulin therapy replaces the insulin your body is unable to produce. Insulin therapy is sometimes needed for type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes when other therapies have failed to keep blood glucose levels within the desired range. If your doctor says that you need insulin therapy, take the recommendation seriously. Insulin therapy can prevent diabetes complications by helping keep your blood sugar within your target range.

Your treatment plan

·         Type and amount of insulin. There are several types of insulin available that vary in how quickly and how long they can control blood sugar. Frequently your doctor may recommend more than one type of insulin. To determine which types of insulin you need and how much you need, your doctor will consider several factors. These include the type of diabetes you have, your glucose levels, how much your blood sugar fluctuates throughout the day and your lifestyle.

·         Insulin delivery options. Insulin is injected underneath your skin, often several times a day. You may choose among syringes, injection pens or an insulin pump that provides a continuous infusion of insulin through a catheter underneath your skin.

Insulin therapy can be demanding, but it doesn't have to dictate your life. By choosing a program that fits your needs and lifestyle, you can prevent diabetes complications and lead an active, healthy life.

www.thebrightdirection.com

Foods to Avoid for Spinal Cord Injury Patients

After a spinal cord injury, a person's metabolism often changes significantly. Because they use fewer muscles, people with a spinal cord injury require fewer calories per day. However, if their eating habits do not change after their injury, they may be at risk for obesity and other related health conditions. Avoiding certain types of food after a spinal cord injury can help a person maintain a healthy weight.

Fast Foods

Fast foods are high on the list of foods to avoid after a spinal cord injury, or SCI, as they tend to pack excessive calories into a single meal. The Spinal Cord Injury Network reports that the average fast food meal contains around 1,200 calories. For some people, this may be half of their entire daily recommendation after their spinal cord injury. According to the National Guideline Clearinghouse, a person with a spinal cord injury usually requires around 10 percent fewer calories per day than the average person. They may need even less if they are severely impaired or inactive. Avoiding fast foods can help a person reduce his caloric intake, as well as avoid the excess fat, cholesterol and sodium that these foods tend to contain.

Pain in patients with spinal cord injury.

For this study of intractable pain after spinal cord injury (SCI), a questionnaire was developed, pilot-tested and mailed to 356 previously hospitalized spinal cord injury patients, 200 (56%) of whom returned the completed questionnaire. Of the respondents, 160 (80%) reported abnormal sensation and 96 (48%) called the discomfort painful. Abnormal sensations were first noted within 6 months of injury by 105 patients, from 7 months to 4 years after injury by 39, and longer than 4 years after injury or unknown by 16. Pain locations varied and were unrelated to the level of lesion. In 30% of those reporting abnormal sensation the location of pain remained stationary, whereas in 17% spinal cord injury patients it changed over time. The intensity of pain was described as severe to extreme by 25%; 44% spinal cord injury patient indicated that it interfered with daily activities. Increase of pain over time was noted by 41% spinal cord injury. Activity, inactivity, weather change and overexertion were not frequently identified as aggravating circumstances. Rest and medication were cited as alleviating factors. Approximately 38% of those spinal cord injury patients experiencing pain used medications but only 22% spinal cord injury patients obtained consistent relief from their use. The spinal cord injury patients with low level lesions were more willing to exchange a hypothetical chance of recovery and/or loss of reacquired physiologic functions for pain relief than were spinal cord injury patients with higher lesions.

You can understand easily the situation of a spinal cord injury patient via those pictures.