What are common signs of a spinal cord injury?

A slip and fall in a store can leave you feeling sore for weeks afterward. Your spine and back may prevent you from doing daily chores or even driving.

A spinal cord injury is a serious health concern, and knowing the symptoms can help you determine how severe it is.

Dealing with bowel trouble

According to the Mayo Clinic, trouble with completely emptying your bowels can happen after spinal cord trauma. You may struggle to urinate without assistance, due to the inability of your brain to send messages to your bladder. In some cases, this can lead to kidney problems and urinary tract infections.

Failing to notice sensations

Your ability to feel hot and cold temperatures could diminish or even vanish completely after a fall. Not being aware of sensations on your skin, such as touching a hot stove but not noticing it, is one common sign.

Noticing aches and pains

Beyond normal bruising, spinal trauma also leaves you feeling continually weak and in pain. If you notice numbness or pressure around your head or back, it could indicate your injury is getting worse.

Sometimes, spinal cord problems are not noticeable immediately after an accident. In the time following the fall, you could deal with increasingly extreme symptoms.

Struggling to breathe

Since this accident affects your lungs, you may struggle to walk or talk normally. Exercising often makes this pain worse. Odd secretions or mucus can collect in your lungs and throat, which may also lead to repeated coughing fits.

Noticing these signs can help you prevent further damage to your spine or neck after a slip and fall.