Have you ever experienced neurostorming when your head is hurt? You might feel this when your sympathetic nervous system goes into overdrive as your body gets alerted of the head getting hurt. I can understand it’s difficult to deal with. I have seen one of my friend’s relatives struggling with it. And it was a tough situation for their whole family.
That patient was facing lots of issues. His body used to get alert, and the sympathetic nervous system was activated, making his heart beat faster. Not only this, but his blood pressure also rises, and his body temperature is adjusted accordingly.
Actually, the patient’s body shows a “fight-or-flight” reaction in dangerous situations, Your nervous system either gets confused or overly active when your brain is injured and often releases stress hormones even though there’s no real danger.
The brain injury itself triggers this strong response, which is needed to deal with the effects of the injury quickly. But because the brain is hurt, it’s hard for the person to stop this strong response, often known as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH). Our team has researched a lot about this problem and from various studies, I can say that now I know a lot about it. That I’ll definitely share with you.
First I’ll Tell You Its Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of neuro-storming can vary, and they might happen for a few hours to several months after a head injury. Usually, they are a result of dysregulation in the autonomic nervous system.
High body temperature, high blood pressure, very fast heart rate, rapid breathing, excessive sweating, stiff muscles, unusual body postures, restlessness, large pupils, and changes in metabolic rate are all signs of neurostorming and should be quickly addressed. This is a severe condition, so if any person shows such symptoms, I strongly recommend providing them with professional medical help as soon as possible.
Causes of Neurostorming after Serious Brain Injury
Neurostorming is often linked to injuries that result in a lack of oxygen, bleeding inside the brain, or excessive fluid in the brain.
However, it happens most often in people with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). It’s estimated that about 15-33% of individuals who are in a coma after a severe traumatic brain injury may experience neurostorming.
Most of the time, neurostorming episodes after a brain injury happen without any clear reason; they happen on their own. Some common things that make it more likely are:
- The medication needs to be changed or stopped after a certain period of medication
- The person needs to keep moving or change the position
- Objects in the environment that cause stimulation, like alarms or loud noises
Do You Know What Happens After a Brain Injury?
After a brain injury, storming often happens on their own without a clear cause. If not treated, neurostorming can harm a person’s health. If you are suffering from neurostorming, dehydration, muscle tissue breakdown, weight loss, pressure sores, and injury to muscles and bones, often seen within your body.
Neuro-storming can make the body work much harder, increasing metabolism, core temperature, blood pressure, and muscle tension. This extra effort can cause a person’s energy needs to double, leading to muscle and fat loss.
People with faster metabolisms and heavy sweating are more likely to develop painful pressure sores, which can increase the risk of infection and limit movement. Those with abnormal body postures for a long time without treatment may also suffer lasting damage to their muscles and bones. Because of these risks, treating neuro-storming promptly and effectively after a brain injury is crucial.
However, Family Members Can Help Avoid Neuro-storming
Neuro-storming after a brain injury is a serious thing. Families might get worried that their loved one is getting worse when neuro-storming happens, but it’s a normal part of having a severe brain injury. Even though it might feel like there’s nothing you can do when someone is having a neuro storm, there are ways you can help:
You can try to understand signs when there’s neuro-storming after a brain injury. Once you know what neurostorming looks like, you can tell the nurses about it before things get really bad. So, call a nurse if you notice changes in your loved one’s temperature or heart rate. Using a cool cloth to keep their temperature down, gently massaging their arms and legs, and speaking softly to them can help stop neurostorming from happening.
For more information, you can watch this video below-
To put it in words, I can say neurostorming occurs when your brain is injured; the body can react strongly, and we call this reaction a sympathetic response. In people with severe traumatic brain injury, they can’t control or calm down this response. Even if your loved one is not awake, their brain can still react to stress.
So, try to keep their room calm and relaxing. The hyperactive sympathetic nervous system is not an incurable condition; it is difficult but not impossible. It can even affect your mental health. You can use physical and occupational therapy measures after consulting medical professionals or healthcare providers.
Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Pragya
Authors
This article about neurostorming and brain healing is really helpful. It talks about how neurostorming occurs when the brain is hurt and explains the symptoms and causes in easy terms. The part about how family members can help is practical, and the author’s background in nanotechnology adds credibility. It’s a useful read for understanding severe brain injuries and what can be done to manage them.
I’ve experienced head injuries in the past, and stumbling upon this has been eye-opening. Prior to this, I wasn’t aware of the concept, but when it comes to health, it’s important to know various concepts, especially in case of you or a loved one gets hurt.