SEARCH

If your loved one has now progressed to end-stage (advanced) dementia, it may help to know what to expect and plan for what lies ahead.

Delirium is very common in people with advanced illness. With delirium, people have times when they are suddenly confused and unaware of what's going on around them. They may become agitated and restless or withdrawn.

An SCI causes many changes in the body. Feeling and movement can both be affected. And the functions of many body organs may also be affected. These changes make certain problems (called complications) more likely to happen. To help limit these problems, take steps daily to manage your health. This sheet gives a brief summary of what this involves.

A pressure injury is a sore caused by too much pressure on the skin. This reduces blood flow, damaging skin and underlying tissue. The result is a wound that can be quite serious. Having an SCI makes you more likely to develop a pressure injury.

After an SCI, your bowel may not work the same way as before. To help you adjust to and manage the changes, your healthcare team has helped you create a bowel program to follow on a regular basis. It's up to you to put this program into practice. Doing so will help you remain active, social, and healthy.

After an SCI, your bladder may not work the same way as before. During your rehabilitation, your healthcare team gave you a bladder program to help you adjust to and manage these changes. Going forward, it will be up to you to follow this program on a regular basis.

An SCI does not affect your lungs, but it can affect your breathing muscles (muscles of respiration). This can affect how well you breathe. It also puts you at higher risk for pneumonia and other lung problems. Your healthcare provider and healthcare team will work with you to manage any breathing problems you have. You can also take steps daily to keep your lungs healthy and your breathing strong.

Intimacy and sex after a spinal cord injury can be tough to talk about. This sheet can help get the conversation started.

Upper GI endoscopy is a test that looks inside your upper GI tract. During the test, tissue samples (biopsies) are sometimes taken. Read on to learn what to expect before, during, and after this procedure.