One of the best ways to stay healthy is to take charge of your own health care. This means that you must be on constant alert for problems and correct them quickly. There are two major conditions that often arise for people with SCI --skin sores and bladder infections. Here are the things to watch for and what to do about them.

Skin Sores

Your skin is the largest organ on your body. You need to check it daily for any signs of pressure -- a small, red area, for example. It is extremely important to avoid putting too much pressure on any part of the body for a long period of time. The excessive pressure does not allow the blood to flow to that part of the body, causing the tissue to break down. The common areas for this to occur are the buttocks and all the bony areas, such as the heel, ankle, elbow and knee. It is necessary to change position frequently to avoid such skin irritation. You need to be aware of the signs of a developing skin sore and be able to recognize how severe it is. Depending on the degree of severity, you should either call the doctor or change your habits to allow the skin area to heal properly.

Your daily routine for inspecting your skin should answer the following questions:

Are there any red areas on my skin? If you find a red area, you have discovered the beginning of a pressure sore. It will usually resolve itself once the pressure is removed. Basically, change your position and keep your weight off of the area.
Are there any open areas where the skin is broken? If you find an open skin area, this is a progressed pressure sore. It will require a bandage and a complete relief from the pressure. At this point, you should be talking to your health care provider.
Is the skin scabbed over? This is the sign of a severe or "grade 3" skin sore. At this level, the problem has progressed beyond the upper levels of the skin tissue. Call your doctor immediately.

Bladder Infections

You will begin to understand the symptoms of bladder infection after living with a SCI for a few years. It is difficult to get a grip on it in the beginning because the symptoms are so varied.

Here are some things to watch for:

• Cloudy or dark urine
• Burning sensation while urinating
• Increased spasms
• Strange or foul smelling urine
• Sweating or chills
• Low grade fever

Bladder infections can really put a strain on your life because they are common and confusing. They often affect bowel function, adding to the difficulty in figuring out the problem. Before you start making repetitive trips to the doctor, call and explain your symptoms. Consider getting urine test strips at your local pharmacy. This test can tell if there are white blood cells or bacteria present in your urine. These are signs of infection. Of course, you may need your caregiver to help you with this test.

If your tests are positive, your doctor may suggest antibiotics. You will also need to increase your fluids. Cranberry juice is often used to boost the acidic level of your urine and to help prevent bladder infections. If your test is negative, drink more fluid and keep monitoring your symptoms for several days. Ask your doctor what is the best approach. Sometimes, the problem can be handled without a trip to your doctor's office.