Helplessness is one of the worst feelings to experience, but sometimes, we don’t even have a choice in the matter. Diseases and injuries can disable us temporarily or even permanently, so the best we can do is be aware of the common causes and spread the same awareness around to keep these problems at bay.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Everything from sports and gym injuries to that spasm in the lower back you had while trying to move the sofa falls under this category. In most situations, the injuries heal fully or partially, but it may take a long time if the damage is severe enough. Wheelchairs are often recommended during recovery in serious cases, but it is best to opt for manual wheelchairs as they are lightweight and a lot more affordable than their motor-powered counterparts. There is little sense in spending a lot of money for something you will only use for a few weeks or months.

Injuries or Diseases of the Nervous System

This is what happens when someone ends up seriously hurting the spinal column during an accident or develops a disabling disease of the nervous system such as myasthenia gravis, Parkinsonian Syndrome, peripheral neuropathies, tumors, etc. The causes can be genetic, geriatric, or the result of accidents. Such patients benefit more from a lightweight wheelchair with motor capacity, along with a number of other physical aides suited to their condition, as such disabilities are, more often than not, permanent.

Injuries and Diseases of the Brain

Head trauma (TBI) is a very common cause of disability, not just in the US but all over the world. This is the reason why wearing head protection is a must if you ride a two-wheeler. Then there are brain tumors and Alzheimer’s to name just two out of many other cerebral conditions which can permanently restrict our movements as well. That old advice about protecting your head is as true as anything else.

Cardiovascular Conditions

A cardiac arrest can put you in a wheelchair temporarily and in some rare cases where the brain stays oxygen deprived for long enough, the brain damage can lead to permanent disability as well. Even when the person is not in bed or a wheelchair, cardiovascular conditions can permanently prevent them from working, which would also qualify as infirmity.

Cancer

Cancer is undeniably one of the worst causes of disability to have but remission is possible and not that uncommon anymore. Nevertheless, the physical and financial toll of the treatment and the disease itself is enough to disable even the toughest among us. While it would be considered misguidance if we were to tell you that chances of someone developing cancer can be eliminated completely with a healthy, fit and cautious lifestyle, such practices can certainly reduce the chances drastically.

As mentioned earlier, knowledge by itself is not a guarantee that you will be able to avoid disability, but now that you know some of the top causes of debility, you are already better informed and, therefore, at a lower risk of ever having to go through it all.