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Warning-sign checks

Autonomic dysreflexia: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    This is routine follow-up rather than emergency care once symptoms have resolved and blood pressure has returned near baseline.

    A rehabilitation clinician may recommend changes to bladder care, bowel management, skin protection, seating, equipment, or the emergency plan.

    Repeated or unexplained episodes deserve medical review even if they resolve at home.

    Call emergency medical services during an active episode if blood pressure remains elevated after initial measures, the trigger cannot be removed promptly, symptoms worsen, or there are signs of stroke, seizure, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, or severe chest pain.

    Do not drive yourself during an active episode.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek urgent medical advice if episodes are becoming more frequent, the usual trigger cannot be identified, catheter drainage repeatedly stops, or new urinary, bowel, skin, or pain symptoms develop.

The article also says

After an episode, the healthcare team may review what happened, what triggered it, how high the blood pressure rose, and which actions were effective.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Autonomic dysreflexia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.