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NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 8<br />
It is possible to have no symptoms apart from increased<br />
blood pressure … this is known as ‘silent autonomic<br />
dysreflexia’ and it is important that those at risk of AD are<br />
aware it exists. Any unexplained rise in blood pressure<br />
could be silent AD.<br />
Many medical professionals have not experienced a<br />
patient with AD and as a consequence may not be fully<br />
aware of the gravity of the situation.<br />
Treatment must happen quickly—this is the key. And it<br />
can be as simple as sitting the person upright and<br />
lowering their legs, or loosening belts, footwear or<br />
binders. It could be straightening a kink in a catheter.<br />
Many who are at risk of AD are very aware of the<br />
symptoms and the action they need to take. Some keep a<br />
Glyceryl Trinitrate spray handy to help keep symptoms at<br />
bay while the cause is dealt with or professional medical<br />
help arrives.<br />
If there is any doubt or the person is not responding it’s<br />
vital that 111 is called, and the operator told it is<br />
Autonomic Dysreflexia or a spinal hypertensive crisis.<br />
The NZST’s AD education campaign is aimed at spreading<br />
this information to everyone who may interact with<br />
someone at risk. Posters, leaflets, wallet cards have all<br />
been produced and given out to pharmacies, medical<br />
clinics, hospital wards etc, and are available to download<br />
on NZST’s website. A short informational video is also<br />
available on the NZST website. For those who find<br />
themselves admitted to one of NZ’s two spinal units, the<br />
NZST’s “Back on Track” book includes a chapter on AD,<br />
and all patients at most risk of AD get a wallet card.<br />
All of this is produced to be as informative and easily<br />
understood as possible so it can be shared far and wide …<br />
with family, friends, workmates, employers, sports clubs,<br />
support workers etc.<br />
“The information we received in the mail this week from<br />
NZST was really informative and eye opening, as I had<br />
never heard of it before!” <br />
For more information, or to download the poster<br />
www.nzspinaltrust.org.nz/ad<br />
To donate to NZST’s work www.nzst.org.nz
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