Life on Wheels (16 page)

Hemorrhoids

Deep vein thrombosis

Burns to skin, including sunburn

Open wounds

Ingrown toenails

Sexual arousal

Fractures

Labor and childbirth

Some surgical or diagnostic procedures

Tight-fitting or wrinkled clothing

As you can see from the list, you have control over most causes. Bladder distention is the most common cause of AD. Users of indwelling urinary catheters need to manage the catheters well to make sure they do not become clogged or bent into a kink that blocks the flow. Fecal impaction is the second most common cause. A well-managed bowel and bladder program is very important, not only to decrease the chance of an occurrence of AD, but to prevent secondary conditions like infections and stones, which can also cause an event. When blood pressure rises, any of the following symptoms might occur:

Pounding headache

Red, blotchy skin above the lesion level

Profuse sweating above the lesion level

Cool, clammy skin below the lesion level