Long-Term Disability For Autonomic Dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a potentially life-threatening medical condition that causes a spike in blood pressure because of an overreaction of your autonomic nervous system. It is most common after a spinal cord injury. Those who may be affected should understand the dangerous effects of the condition and be familiar with the process of claiming long-term disability for autonomic dysreflexia if it impairs daily functioning.

Understanding Autonomic Dysreflexia

Your autonomic nervous system is a part of your overall nervous system that controls the automatic functions your body needs to survive, like your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and digestion. It’s divided into three parts, each with a specific job:

• Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): This system activates body processes that help you in times of stress or danger. It’s responsible for your body’s “fight-or-flight” response.
• Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): This part does the opposite of your sympathetic nervous system. It’s responsible for the “rest and digest” body processes.
• Enteric Nervous System (ENS): This part manages how your body digests food.

During autonomic dysreflexia, your body senses negative stimuli below your damaged spinal cord that trigger a response by your sympathetic nervous system, causing widespread constriction of blood vessels in your lower body (legs and abdomen), which increases blood pressure.

Normally, this would trigger a parasympathetic nervous system response to correct it by dilating blood vessels throughout your body. However, the parasympathetic response can’t travel below the spinal cord lesion if your spinal cord is injured. Only the upper part of your body (above the spinal cord injury) experiences vasodilation.

Symptoms and Causes

Common symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia include:

• Sudden and severe rise in blood pressure.
• Pounding headache.
• Sweating, skin flushing, and goosebumps above the level of the spinal injury.
• Blurred vision or seeing spots.
• Nasal stuffiness.
• Nausea.
• Cold skin.
• A slow heart rate (below 60 beats per minute).

Autonomic dysreflexia occurs primarily in individuals with spinal cord injuries at the T6 level or above. Other conditions can make you more likely to experience autonomic dysreflexia, but the chances are much lower compared to spinal cord injuries. These include:

• Brain tumors (intramedullary astrocytoma).
• Multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Guillain-Barré syndrome.
• Side effects from certain medications.
• Severe head trauma and other brain injuries.
• Bleeding in the area around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage).
• Using illegal stimulant drugs like cocaine and amphetamines.

Treatment Options

Immediate medical attention is crucial if someone is experiencing the symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia. If not treated promptly, AD can lead to severe complications, including seizures, stroke, or even death. One of the first steps to take is to sit the person upright. This action can help lower the blood pressure.

Additionally, you should immediately loosen any tight clothing or constrictive devices that could limit blood flow. Removing irritants, such as a kinked catheter or anything applying pressure to the person, is equally important.

Following these immediate interventions, the affected individual needs to consult a healthcare professional. Medical experts may prescribe medications to lower blood pressure or address the underlying cause of the episode. Furthermore, people with spinal cord injuries should regularly see healthcare professionals to monitor for symptoms and prevent the onset of AD.

Long-Term Disability for Autonomic Dysreflexia

Individuals who experience recurrent episodes of autonomic dysreflexia that significantly hinder their ability to work or carry out daily activities might consider long-term disability benefits as a viable option. To qualify, a clear medical diagnosis and documentation of recurrent episodes of AD are essential. Furthermore, an individual must demonstrate how AD restricts their capability to perform work-related tasks or daily activities.

A Long-Term Disability Attorney Can Help You Appeal a Wrongful Claim Denial

Unfortunately, there are instances where insurance providers might wrongfully deny or terminate claims for disability benefits because of autonomic dysreflexia. Denials can stem from various reasons, including insufficient medical evidence, administrative errors, or a lack of understanding of the condition’s severity.

In such situations, working with a legal professional becomes crucial. Attorneys specializing in disability claims can provide invaluable assistance by:

• Reviewing the Denial: An attorney can meticulously review the reasons for the denial and determine whether they are valid or based on misunderstandings or misinterpretations of medical evidence and policy terms.
• Gathering Comprehensive Evidence: Attorneys can help gather medical evidence, expert testimonials, and other pertinent documentation to bolster the claim.
• Navigating the Appeal Process: The administrative appeal process can be complicated, with specific timelines and protocols you must follow. An experienced attorney can guide you through this process and ensure you follow all procedures and meet all deadlines.
• Filing a Lawsuit: If the insurance company upholds the denial or termination of your claim, we can file a lawsuit against the insurer.

Call Ortiz Law Firm to Schedule Your Free Case Evaluation

Autonomic dysreflexia is a severe condition that demands attention and understanding. If faced with a wrongful claim denial or termination, seeking legal counsel is imperative. An experienced attorney can significantly affect whether a claimant receives the benefits they rightly deserve.

Nick Ortiz, founder of the Ortiz Law Firm, is a long-term disability attorney helping people get the disability benefits they deserve since 2005. He specializes in long-term disability appeals and litigation. He offers a free case evaluation and does not charge an attorney fee unless he recovers your benefits. Contact us online or call (888) 321-8131 to get help with your claim.