Recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common problem for people with spinal cord injury (SCI). In fact, UTIs are still among the leading causes of death in people with a neurogenic bladder who experience on average 2 UTI events every year.
Topics: Science Alert, Transanal irrigation (TAI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
“Given the improved longevity of individuals with SB [spina bifida], transitional care issues (such as health-related independence) are becoming progressively more vital.”
Castillo et al. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2017;10(3-4):219-226.
Topics: Science Alert, Spina Bifida, Bowel dysfunction
Constipation and fecal incontinence are two symptoms of bowel dysfunction. There may be a cause, like impaired innervation of the intestine due to disease or injury. There may also be no traceable cause of the bowel symptoms; this is then called functional constipation or functional fecal incontinence.
Topics: Science Alert, Neurogenic bowel, Bowel dysfunction
The Cochrane review from 2013 by Jepson et al. 2013 was unable to recommend cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI). They furthermore identified a lack of evidence for the efficacy of other cranberry preparations (such as powders). New studies are, however, continuously added to the total weight of clinical evidence and the latest examples suggest that there may be benefits in this traditional remedy.
The term spinal cord injury (SCI) comprises a wide range of conditions. As described by the WHO report International Perspectives on Spinal Cord Injury (WHO 2013), SCI refers to damage to the spinal cord arising from trauma (such as a car crash), or from non-traumatic disease or degeneration (such as tuberculosis), and encompasses both a baby born with spina bifida and a construction worker who falls from scaffolding.
Topics: Science Alert, International Spinal Cord Society (ISCoS), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
