After you have suffered a spinal cord injury, one of the most terrible possible effects is that you may struggle to breathe. Where the injury occurs on the spinal cord will impact the extent that it will affect your ability to breathe. If you are struggling to breathe, you might experience a limited recovery through a spine rehabilitation program.

The Location of the Injury

If you suffer an injury above the C3, your diaphragm will not work at all and you will not be able to breathe. If you suffer an injury around C4 or C5, your diaphragm will work partially. If the injury is between C6 and C8, your diaphragm will work well, but your abdominal and intercostal muscles will not work at all.

At T1 to T5, you'll be able to use your diaphragm, but you will struggle to cough and sneeze because your abdominal and intercostal muscles will work but not as well. Any further down and you should be about to breathe, cough, and sneeze despite the spinal injury.

Spinal Cord Injuries and Breathing

A spinal cord injury can interfere with your ability to breathe, cough, and swallow. In some cases, a spinal cord injury can make breathing impossible. However, there are some treatments that can trigger a spinal cord recovery, such as the neurotrophic factor.

This is a protein that is delivered to the injured part of your spine through a gel. This injection is meant to help the phrenic nerve, which is in charge of the inflation of your lungs. This treatment can repair damage without inducing an immune system response. The gel assists the nerves in reconnecting.

Potential Risks

Breathing problems are a concern with patients with spinal cord injuries because pneumonia is the most common cause of death for those with spinal cord injuries. When a patient is not able to cough, he or she is not able to clear the mucus found in the lungs. 

If you are not able to breathe very well, you might also suffer from sleep apnea. This is when your breathing fluctuates while you are asleep, and you will struggle to maintain breathing stability. You may wake up often during the night and experience daytime sleepiness, irritability, and poor focus. 

There are lifestyle changes that can help some patients who have breathing difficulties as a result of a spinal injury. However, receiving a treatment from a spine rehabilitation center is one of the best ways to improve breathing after a spinal cord injury. Look for a spine injury rehabilitation center near you like Florida Pain Center to learn more.