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Abnormal Temperature Control After Spinal Cord Injuries

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A Practical Guide to Care of Spinal Cord Injuries

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Abstract

This chapter is focused on the disruption of thermoregulation in individuals with spinal cord injuries. Thermoregulation is a vital process that maintains the body’s core temperature within a narrow range regardless of changes in external temperature. The hypothalamus is responsible for maintaining this balance by integrating information from various temperature sensors in the body. However, spinal cord injuries can impair this function by reducing afferent input to the thermoregulatory brain areas and disrupting vasomotor control and sweating capacity below the level of injury. This leads to fluctuations in body temperature, hyperthermia, and hypothermia, especially in individuals with injuries above T6. The chapter explores the mechanisms behind thermoregulation and how spinal cord injuries disrupt this process. It also provides practical guidance for managing abnormal temperature control in patients with spinal cord injuries. This includes approaches such as monitoring core temperature, providing adequate heating or cooling, and addressing any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to temperature fluctuations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parkside Rehabilitation Hospital, Busan, Korea (Republic of)

    Hyun-Yoon Ko

  2. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University College of Medicine, Yangsan, Korea (Republic of)

    Hyun-Yoon Ko

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  1. Hyun-Yoon Ko
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© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Ko, HY. (2023). Abnormal Temperature Control After Spinal Cord Injuries. In: A Practical Guide to Care of Spinal Cord Injuries. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4542-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4542-9_31

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-4541-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-4542-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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