| Autonomic Dysreflexia | | | Autonomic Dysreflexia also known as hyperreflexia is a serious condition and requires emergency Intervention. It can happen if your level is T6 or above.
It is a reaction caused by nerve signals trying to get to the brain but which are prevented from getting there by spinal cord injury. It presents as profuse sweating, flushing and a blinding headache. It is a medical emergency, and if untreated can cause stroke or death.
A painful stimulus from your bladder, bowels or skin results in signals to your spinal cord which sets off a reflex action. This reflex causes the blood vessels below your level of injury to tighten. This makes it harder for the blood to pump through the blood vessels and causes the blood pressure to rise.
Your brain tries to send a message to the blood vessels to open up. These messages cannot get past the spinal cord injury.
Therefore, your blood pressure keeps rising. A very high uncontrolled blood pressure can cause a stroke, heart attack or death. The blood vessels above your injury level open up and get larger to try to balance what is happening below the level of injury.
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Causes |
There can be many stimuli that cause autonomic dysreflexia. Anything that would have been painful, uncomfortable, or physically irritating before the injury may cause autonomic dysreflexia after the injury.
Common causes are:
Any stimulus occurring below the level of injury which would normally cause pain eg:
Your bladder is too full eg blocked catheter, if you have a urinary tract infection (UTI)
Bladder stones
Constipation or bowel care which causes excessive stretching of the bowel
Pressure sores
Ingrown toenails
Pregnancy or labour
| | | | Treatment | | | Treatment of Autonomic dysreflexia is to remove the reason for it. Sitting up straight naturally decreases blood pressure. Check the your body for anything that may be causing pain.
If there is no relief, go to the nearest A&E right away or call 999 or the emergency number in your area, medications will have to be given to lower the blood pressure.
If AD is not treated, the body attempts to control blood pressure by decreasing the heart rate. This, combined with uncontrolled high blood pressure, can be fatal. It is vital to treat this condition as soon as possible.
| Since all physicians are not familiar with autonomic dysreflexia (hyperreflexia) and its treatment, you should carry a card in your wallet that describes the condition and the treatment required. Contact Spinal Injuries Ireland to request a card.
For advice on Autonomic dysreflexia contact the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire. Telephone: +353 (0)1 235 5000
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