Neurostorming is a severe neurological condition where the brain loses control over certain automatic body functions, causing episodes of intense sympathetic nervous system activity. This means the body’s “fight or flight” response goes into overdrive even when there is no real threat. Neurostorming is also known as paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) or sympathetic storming.
Contact a St. Louis traumatic brain injury lawyer if you’ve been in an accident that causes you neurostorming fits.
Our firm will provide a consultation free of charge — call (314) 300-6260.
What Happens During Neurostorming?
During neurostorming, the brain cannot properly regulate autonomic functions – the body functions you don’t consciously control, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing. The nervous system triggers repeated bursts of “fight or flight” responses or stress hormone releases throughout the body. Common symptoms include:
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heavy or uncontrollable sweating (diaphoresis)
- Fevers or unusually high body temperature
- Rapid breathing (tachypnea)
- Muscle rigidity, intense stiffness, or abnormal posturing
- Agitation or restlessness, sometimes with aggression
- Tremors (shaking or shivering episodes)
- Dilated pupils
Symptoms can last from a few minutes up to several hours and may repeat multiple times a day.
What Causes Neurostorming?
Neurostorming typically begins when severe brain injury damages the parts of the brain that regulate the autonomic nervous system. Common causes include: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Severe traumatic brain injuries are a very common cause of neurostorming
- Car accidents — a car accident attorney in St. Louis will help you pursue compensation
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Falls, especially in adults over age 65 or children
- Severe sports-related traumatic brain injuries
- Significant impacts in hazardous workplace scenarios
Other Possible Causes
Though TBI is the prominent cause, neurostorming can emerge after other dramatic brain insults, such as:
- Strokes (either blockage by a clot or bleeding in brain tissue)
- Infections of the brain or surrounding tissue (like meningitis or encephalitis)
- Oxygen deprivation (anoxic injuries), including near-drowning incidents or cardiac arrest
- Certain brain tumors or neurological conditions affecting autonomic regulation
- Neurosurgical complications, either from initial illness or post-surgical mistakes
Patients with neurostorming need fast evaluation by medical professionals, as uncontrolled episodes can lead to cardiac complications, lung issues, metabolic crises, further neurological decline, and infection risks, among others.
How Long Does Neurostorming Last?
There is no single, universal duration for neurostorming; it can vary widely from person to person depending on the severity of brain injury, underlying causes, and overall health.
- Individual Episodes: Episodes of neurostorming can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours at a time.
- Frequency: These episodes may occur multiple times per day, especially in the early phase of brain recovery or ICU/hospital care.
- Total Course: Many patients experience neurostorming for days or several weeks. In the most severe cases, neurostorming can last for months, especially if there is extensive or ongoing brain damage.
- Resolution: Neurostorming is most common in the first weeks or months after injury and gradually becomes less frequent and intense as the brain heals, though full resolution may not occur in all patients.
Because neurostorming is such a complex response to brain injury, the best outlook and duration can only be provided case by case in consultation with the patient’s medical team.
Treatment for Neurostorming
Treatment for neurostorming focuses on stabilizing the nervous system and reducing the frequency and severity of episodes. Because neurostorming occurs in patients with significant brain injury, the medical team’s goal is to manage symptoms as safely as possible and support recovery in the ICU or neuro-rehabilitation unit.
Medications Commonly Used
Various medicines may be used to calm the overactive nervous system and reduce distress:
- Beta blockers: Help control rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.
- Sedatives: Reduce agitation and decrease excessive nervous system activity.
- Muscle relaxers: Address muscle rigidity or abnormal posturing.
- Pain medications: Keep the patient comfortable and minimize physical triggers.
- Anti-anxiety medications: Diminish stress, which can initiate or worsen episodes.
Combining these medications under close supervision allows care teams to better control the patient’s autonomic instability.
Supportive Care
Beyond medications, supportive interventions can make a significant difference in comfort and recovery:
- Temperature management: Aggressive regulation of fever and body temperature to prevent further complications.
- Nutrition support: Providing the necessary calories and nutrients, usually via feeding tubes if the patient cannot eat.
- Physical therapy: Preventing muscle tightness and joint problems by ensuring as much healthy movement as possible.
- Reduced environmental stimulation: Keeping noise and light to a minimum to avoid triggers.
- Long-term rehabilitation: Including specialized neuro-rehab programs that help the patient regain function and independence, if possible.
A combination of medication and supportive care provides the best chance for stabilization and gradual recovery.
Can Neurostorming Be Part of a Personal Injury Claim?
When neurostorming arises from a preventable accident, such as a vehicle collision, fall, or workplace injury, it can significantly increase the complexity and severity of a personal injury case. Because neurostorming is a sign of profound brain injury and may require weeks or months of intensive and expensive care, it can strengthen the grounds for a catastrophic injury or long-term disability claim.
Compensation You Can Obtain
Personal injury compensation for neurostorming should reflect the broad and ongoing impacts of this condition. You may be able to obtain costs for:
- Emergency medical treatment and transportation
- Extended ICU care and inpatient neurocritical management
- Intensive rehabilitation and physical therapy services
- Anticipated future medical needs, medications, and procedures
- Lost earning capacity, if the patient can no longer return to work
- Modifications to the home for increased accessibility and safety
- Pain, suffering, and emotional trauma compensation
- Costs for long-term caregiving, nursing, or assisted living
If you or a loved one is dealing with neurostorming after a serious accident, legal guidance from a St. Louis injury attorney can help you document all related medical needs and calculate their true lifetime cost.
Reach out today to schedule a free case evaluation.