What is AD?
Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure triggered by an exaggerated response to painful stimuli, below the level of spinal cord damage
- If AD is not treated or the cause remains unresolved, then it could be fatal
- AD can happen any time from the start of spinal paralysis.
- It happens in both complete and incomplete injuries but usually only affects those with an injury at the level T6 and above
What happens to the body during an episode of AD?
- Severe pounding headache
- Flushed appearance of the skin above the level of injury
- Profuse sweating above the level of the lesion
- Nasal congestion
- Feeling unwell
- Blurred vision
- Increase in spasm
- Continued severe hypertension (raised blood pressure)
