The prolonged lack of movement associated with paralysis and the more serious cases of mobility impairment can have a range of harmful medical complications. These include bed sores, blood clots, and bone deposits. Because people who are paralyzed may not be able to control their bodily functions, they may develop severe constipation and bladder or urinary tract infections. One condition that strikes those with spinal cord injuries in particular is autonomic dysreflexia, an over-stimulation of the nervous system that can become fatal if not treated. Additionally, paralysis might affect a person's chewing, swallowing, or breathing with deadly consequences.
Physical Disabilities
Physical disabilities can be sensory, where there are problems with sight, hearing or speech, or they may impair motor function, so that movement is restricted or imprecise. Injuries may cause a disability, and disease such as a heart condition may also make normal exertion impossible. Some disabilities start at birth - congenital disabilities. Others are acquired during life. If you have a disability, it is almost certain that there are many others who do also. Most conditions have support groups or associations that have grown up relating to the problem. These groups may offer specialized help to minimize the effect of the condition.
Recently Answered
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Good Samaritan Hospital answeredMobility impairments can be serious, life-altering conditions. If you have symptoms of impeded mobility, you should discuss them with your doctor. Some conditions can be diagnosed with a simple physical exam. Depending on the cause of the restricted mobility, early treatment can help keep the symptoms from worsening or even eliminate the symptoms altogether.
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Good Samaritan Hospital answered
The primary symptom that defines mobility impairments is the body's lack of a full range of motion. This can be caused by a number of injuries, illnesses, and disorders, each with its own set of symptoms in addition to restricted movement. For instance, multiple sclerosis can cause fatigue, speech, and vision problems, and people with cerebral palsy can have difficulty controlling their mouths for speaking or eating. The severity of the underlying condition affects the type of symptoms present. Other types of mobility impairment, like a broken arm, have symptoms that eventually go away.
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
If you use a cane with a small golf club-type protrusion at the bottom, it can make walking easier because it tricks your mind into thinking you’re stepping over something. Take a collapsible cane with you when you walk. When you freeze, assemble the cane and gently kick the end near the floor. -
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Shelley Peterman Schwarz , Neurology, answered
If you have trouble walking with a traditional cane but need support when you walk, try using a walking stick that resembles a shepherd’s staff. The difference is that you hold the staff in front of you, and your elbow is bent at a 90-degree angle. The staff also helps you stand up straighter when your back muscles are weak. To see if walking with a staff helps you, get a broom or mop, cut the handle off and put a rubber crutch protector on the end that touches the floor.
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Good Samaritan Hospital answered
Dysarthria is a speech impediment that can result from a variety of underlying conditions, so prevention may or may not be possible depending on the condition. The best way to reduce your risk for developing these conditions is by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Risk factors include having a stroke or degenerative brain disease, abusing alcohol or drugs, and being older and in poor health. Reduce your risk of stroke by eating healthfully, exercising regularly, not smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight. If you struggle with a drug or alcohol addiction, seek medical help. Finally, stop taking any medications that may increase your risk for dysarthria.
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Good Samaritan Hospital answered
Some of the causes of speech impairment are preventable. Watching for signs of hearing loss and having your child's hearing tested at a young age will help a hearing impairment be detected early, which means that steps can be taken to prevent a delay in speech development. Child neglect as well as verbal or physical abuse can cause speech impairments, so being careful to avoid such behaviors towards your children will prevent a speech impairment from developing. Drawing excessive attention to the broken speech that is characteristic of children learning to communicate verbally, no matter how well-meaning, can actually discourage development and cause speech to remain impaired. For the most part though, childhood speech impairment is not preventable. In adults, speech impairments usually result from a medical condition or injury, so they are less preventable. Speech impairment from drug abuse, however, is entirely preventable through the avoidance of illegal drugs.
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American Diabetes Association answeredThe laws require that employers try to reasonably accommodate people with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is defined as modification or adjustment of a job or employment practice in order to make it possible for a qualified person with a disability to be employed.
For people with diabetes, employers may have to allow workers to adjust their work schedule or take breaks to eat or check blood glucose so that they can manage their diabetes while on the job.
People with complications from diabetes might need other accommodations, such as a large-screen computer for those with retinopathy or the ability to sit on the job for those with painful neuropathy. The employer must make these accommodations available unless they create an undue burden because of cost or other factors.
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Dr. Ruth White, MPH , Social Work, answered
The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers employers with fifteen or more employees, including state and local agencies. It also applies to employment agencies and labor organizations. The ADA's nondiscrimination standards also apply to federal sector employees.
According to the ADA, job discrimination against people with disabilities is illegal if practiced by private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, labor organizations, and labor-management committees. If you work for one of these types of employers, you're protected under the ADA and can request accommodations that will keep you healthy and help you be a productive employee.Find out more about this book:
Bipolar 101: A Practical Guide to Identifying Triggers, Managing Medications, Coping with Symptoms, and More
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American Diabetes Association answeredThis new law further protects people from workplace discrimination. It no longer requires that mitigating measures—such as insulin use—be considered when determining whether you have a disability. It considers your endocrine system as a major life activity that can be impaired—and is therefore a disability.
Tips about Your Rights- Courts are required to do an individual assessment of each person.
- The employee must also establish that he or she is qualified for the job in question. A qualified applicant possesses the skill, experience, education, and other job requirements of the position he or she would do with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Employees must also show they were treated unfairly because of their diabetes.
Current federal law allows an employer to ask an applicant for medical information only after making a job offer and only if all job applicants are asked to provide this information. Then an employer may withdraw a job offer only if the applicant cannot perform the tasks required for the job, even if the employer makes reasonable accommodations.