Adrenal Shock Following Trauma
Adrenal Shock Following Trauma. The abdomen is home to many different vital organs such as the liver, pancreas, and adrenal glands. There are numerous ways that these organs can become injured and one of these is through trauma. Recently, a research paper was published in the Journal of Analytical Research and Clinical Medicine. The researchers found that:
- At a local hospital over a period of two years, several hundred people visited the emergency room with blunt abdominal trauma.
- The average age of these individuals was about 35 years old.
- About two-thirds of these individuals were men.
- The most commonly injured organs were the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
- The most common cause of these abdominal injuries was an auto accident.
These statistics indicate that auto accidents are a common cause of internal abdominal organ injury and that the kidneys are a vulnerable target; however, there is a commonly overlooked organ above each kidney called the adrenal gland. If these organs are injured in an accident, the results can be life-threatening.
The Role of the Adrenal Glands
The body has two adrenal glands, and they sit on top of each of the kidneys. While they are often overlooked, they serve an essential function. The adrenal glands produce a variety of hormones. Examples include:
- Cortisol
- Aldosterone
- Epinephrine (also called adrenaline)
These hormones are essential to life and regulate a large number of the body’s functions including:
- Regulation of blood sugar
- Helping to build protein
- Burning fat
- React to stresses on the body’s cardiovascular system
Some of the ways that the adrenal glands regulate the body’s response to stressful events, such as traumatic injuries, is by controlling the heart rate and the blood pressure. Adrenal disorders can come from either producing too much or too little of these critical hormones. Sometimes, the adrenal glands are damaged and don’t function properly.
Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency: Shock
A research paper was published discussing adrenal insufficiency following trauma. Some of the symptoms that people should look for include:
- Severe pain in the lower back, often radiating throughout the abdomen.
- Non-stop vomiting and diarrhea, leading to rapid dehydration.
- Falling blood pressure with a rising heart rate.
- Elevated body levels of potassium with a dropping level of sodium.
- Acute, rapid loss of consciousness.
These are all indications that the body is suffering from acute adrenal shock, also called Addison’s Disease. These symptoms develop from a sudden loss of the body’s adrenal hormones. Without quick treatment, this will result in death. People should seek medical care immediately so that proper treatment can be started. This often involves the injection of hormones and steroids.
Watch YouTube Video: Addison’s Disease Made Simple – Primary Adrenal Failure. This video explains the definition of Addison’s Disease and its symptoms.
Assistance from a Lawyer
Someone who develops Addison’s Disease can go into adrenal shock following trauma. This can lead to high a heart rate, low blood pressure, drop in blood flow to critical organs, and can quickly progress to death. Those who survive often spend a long time in a hospital, placing their family members and friends under a tremendous amount of stress. It is helpful to sit down and meet with a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento.
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Personal Injury Lawyers in Sacramento
I’m Ed Smith, a Personal Injury Lawyer in Sacramento. Adrenal insufficiency can lead to shock which can quickly progress to death. If you or a family member has suffered abdominal injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 . I would be happy to offer friendly, free legal advice.
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Image Attribution: The image at the beginning of this page was seen first on Unsplash. The picture has been printed here with permission / Adrenal Shock Following Trauma
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