WALLET CARDS
Our Wallet Card information resources cover the basic information, symptoms, and treatments of major SCI-related health complications to help you discuss with your doctors. The information within them is based on clinician best practices and are presented in a quick, easy-to-digest format that you can carry with you.
They are available to download as print-at-home PDF documents, below.
Need a larger number to give out to patients/clients, or just need printed wallet cards mailed to you? Contact our Infoline team! info@sci-bc.ca or 1-800-689-2477
AUTONOMIC DYSREFLEXIA
Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially life-threatening complication of spinal cord injury that happens at T6 or above. AD is a medical emergency and should be treated immediately. The most common causes of AD are a bladder being too full, overfull bowel, pressure sore or irritated skin and sexual or reproductive activity. The main treatment of AD is to remove the cause.
Download the Autonomic Dysreflexia wallet card to learn more.
UTI PREVENTION & DETECTION
A urinary tract infection (UT) is typically caused when bacteria enters the urinary tract at the urethra. Early signs of an infection include cloudy, foul-smelling urine and/or sediment (gritty particles) or mucus in the urine (or in your catheter tube or drainage bag), a need to urinate more often, and more urgently. Check the Bladder Management chapter more information.
More serious symptoms may include blood or pus in the urine, fever, chills, nausea, headache, increase of muscle spasms, and autonomic dysreflexia (injuries above T6). If you experience these symptoms you should see a doctor immediately.
Download the UTI Prevention & Detection wallet card to learn more.
PRESSURE INJURY
Skin changes after injury mean that living with SCI puts your skin at high risk for developing a pressure injury, which are injuries to the skin and the tissue that lies beneath the skin. Pressure injuries commonly develop on areas of skin that cover a bony area – such as the tailbone, sit bones, hips, or heels. Pressure injuries can also occur in places where the skin folds over on itself, such as the folds of the groin. They can start very small, but can quickly turn into a serious problem which may require a person to be on bed rest for weeks or even months while it heals.
HOW TO USE THESE RESOURCES
- Get a print copy to keep in your wallet from our GF Strong SCI Resource Centre in Vancouver or SCI BC Infoline
- Download the digital file to print at home and keep on hand, or cut down to wallet card format to keep in your wallet.
- Add a link to these cards to the home screen of your iPhone or Android smart phone so they are there whenever you need them.
OTHER RESOURCES
- Autonomic Dysreflexia – Jump to the LivingWithSCI.ca page on AD.
- Bladder Management – Jump to the LivingWithSCI.ca page on bladder management.
- Skin Health – Jump to the LivingWithSCI.ca page on skin health.
This website contains general information about medical conditions and treatments. All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. (c) 2024 Spinal Cord Injury BC