Paraplegics Misconceptions Cleared Up

There are many misconceptions about paraplegics among the world's populace. Paraplegic does not mean that the person is helpless within their lives. Many of these people live independently but require help for some activities of daily living. Some patients walk, experience sex and some use adaptive equipment such as a wheelchair.

Paraplegics are paralyzed below the waist but sometimes it effects the truck of the body as well. There are two types of this one is complete and the other is incomplete. In complete condition, the person will remain paralyzed for the rest of their life, while incomplete means the person is paralyzed for a while but may eventually regain some use of their legs.

With the use of walking frames, some of these people can get around without the use of a wheelchair, but they must have well defined upper body strength to propel them self-forward. Motorized wheel chairs are not a good idea because it does not promote the upper body strength that they require.

Contrary to popular belief, many paraplegic people are not dependent on Foley catheters or fecal bags for waste elimination. They can be rolled on to a bedpan and urine can be eliminated with the use of a straight catheter. The stomach of the patient can be rubbed in a circular motion to help them remove the feces from their bodies. That same technique can be used to help any able bodied person who is suffering from constipation as well.

Some paraplegic patients retain the sexual feelings and can be aroused. This is because those types of feelings are mental rather than physical. A male can achieve an erection and a female can experience an orgasm. These patients may not be able to move, and that is where their partner comes in.

Some patients continue to live alone and require help with various tasks such as getting in and out of bed, or completing household chores. That is where home health or other trusted people come in handy. With an adapted kitchen, the patient can cook for him or herself as well as clean up the house. They may be disabled in some aspects but they wish to remain as independent as possible and may refuse help except for when it is most needed.

It is very important for the paraplegic to exercise the muscles in the legs even though they cannot feel them. For when the patient quits moving the leg muscles they become atrophied which means they become misshapen. This is where a home health aide comes in and does leg exercises to keep the muscles from seizing up. These exercises are called ROM or range of motion and are simple to perform.

Resources:

http://www.spinal-injury.net/paraplegic.htm

http://www.spinal-injury.net/incomplete-sci.htm

http://www.spinal-injury.net/complete-sci.htm

http://www.ehow.com/paraplegic/

http://www.ehow.com/about_4569268_paraplegic-sexuality.html

http://www.ehow.com/about_4565689_life-as-paraplegic.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraplegia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spasticity