A spinal cord injury or not, preventative health care is critical for a long, happy, and productive life. Preventative healthcare, however, is particularly important for those with spinal cord injuries.
A spinal cord injury affects many of our body’s systems. For example, the function of our heart and blood vessels are altered after a spinal cord injury for a number of different reasons. This means that on top of existing risks, someone with a spinal cord injury needs to be more vigilant to prevent heart disease in the future. One study, for example, estimated that people with spinal cord injuries might have up to four times high risk of developing heart disease compared to people without a spinal cord injuries. On top of heart disease, people with spinal cord injuries experience complications with skin, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, and even bones.
One key to staying healthy with a spinal cord injury is having a general practitioner who is comfortable in thinking a bit differently about what is necessary for long-term good health. On top of that, staying linked with a rehabilitation physician and allied health team, either in the public or private sector, helps with some nuanced challenges that may arise.
Still, accessibility in healthcare can be challenging. There are instances where people with spinal injuries have not found a radiology clinic with a hoist, or an accessible place to get a mammogram. This leads to delays in screening for important conditions like cancer. Even thinking about logistics for bowel preparation in a colonoscopy, a significant amount of planning is required for someone who is using a wheelchair. Identifying, for example, pathology clinics, radiology clinics, and urgent care centres that can comfortably cater to someone with a spinal cord injury can be helpful if the need arises, but not every community is lucky enough to have good access these facilities – even in metropolitan centres.
Prevention is not just about accessing healthcare, but the simple things like diet and exercise. In fact, over the long term, these two factors play some of the biggest roles in good health. Finding an accessible gym or physical activities, as well as getting input from an accredited practising dietitian can help with the marathon that is a long life.
Life expectancy has come a long way over the years for people with spinal cord injury, where one can expect to live and near-normal lifespan. But, it’s not just about living for a long time, but living that long time healthy, so we can seize life to the fullest.
Prevention is key to living a long, healthy, and fulfilling life.
Dinesh’s Top 3 Tips for Preventative Care with Spinal Cord Injury
- Build a Strong Healthcare Team – Work with a GP who understands SCI, stay connected with a rehab physician, and engage allied health professionals to catch issues early.
- Plan for Accessible Healthcare – Identify clinics and services that cater to your needs to avoid delays in screenings and essential care.
- Prioritise Daily Well-being – Nutrition and physical activity play a major role in long-term health—find accessible ways to stay active and eat well.
References
1. Cragg, J. J., Noonan, V. K., Krassioukov, A., & Borisoff, J. (2013). Cardiovascular disease and spinal cord injury: results from a national population health survey. Neurology, 81(8), 723–728. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0b013e3182a1aa68