Final answer:
Severe spinal cord injuries usually cause paralysis due to the disruption of nerve communication between the brain and the body. Stem cell transplants and hypothermia are being investigated as potential treatments for spinal cord injuries.
Step-by-step explanation:
Severe spinal cord injuries usually cause paralysis because the spinal cord is the information superhighway that connects the brain with the body. Damage to the spinal cord can disrupt the transmission of messages between the brain and the body, leading to a loss of sensation or movement in certain body parts. The extent and location of the injury determine the extent of paralysis. For example, damage to the spinal cord at the neck level can cause paralysis from the neck down, while damage further down the spinal column may only affect the lower body.
Injuries to the spinal cord are challenging to treat because the spinal nerves do not regenerate. However, ongoing research is exploring the potential of stem cell transplants as a way to reconnect severed nerves. Additionally, researchers are investigating methods to prevent the inflammation that worsens nerve damage after a spinal cord injury, such as inducing hypothermia by pumping the body with cold saline.
Overall, severe spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis due to the disruption of nerve communication between the brain and the body.