Diabetes Insipidus Following Traumatic Brain Injuries It is essential for everyone to be prepared for an auto accident every time they set foot inside a motor vehicle. Numerous types of crashes that might occur include a rear-end accident, a head-on collision, and a rollover. Regardless of the kind of accident, serious injuries can always happen. Some of these traumatic injuries include bone fractures, contusions, lacerations, and even traumatic brain injuries. Unfortunately, head and brain injuries are severe and could lead to lifelong complications or death. Based on some statistics that have been released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include falls, intentional injuries, and motor vehicle collisions.
- The rates of traumatic brain injuries are highest in elderly individuals aged 75 and older and young children between 0 and 4 years of age.
- Motor vehicles are the leading cause of death due to traumatic brain injury of people between the ages of 5 and 24.
- The chief cause of hospitalizations in individuals between the ages of 15 and 44 is auto accidents leading to traumatic brain injuries.
This information demonstrates just how serious traumatic brain injuries are. While treating the acute injury is important, it is vital for families to understand some of the complications that can develop after the injury. One of the most concerning is the development of diabetes insipidus, which can lead to severe dehydration.
What is Diabetes Insipidus?
Diabetes insipidus occurs when the body is unable to concentrate its urine. There is a hormone called vasopressin that is released from the pituitary gland. This hormone binds to the kidney and helps it retain water, concentrating the urine. There are two different types of diabetes insipidus:
Central: the pituitary gland does not produce any vasopressin.
Nephrogenic: In contrast, the kidneys are unable to respond to the vasopressin that is released from the pituitary.
The central form of this disease can occur following a traumatic brain injury.
The Dangers of Diabetes Insipidus
When someone develops diabetes insipidus, there are a number of dangers that the disease can present. Because the kidneys are unable to concentrate the urine, most of the issues come from the abrupt loss of body fluid. Examples of possible complications that could develop include:
Dehydration: Without the ability to concentrate urine, the body ends up peeing out a large amount of dilute fluid. People will notice that their urine looks like water. This can lead to severe dehydration which manifests as:
- A rising heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fast breathing
- Trouble concentrating
- Extreme thirst
It is important for people with diabetes insipidus to keep up with their fluid loss. Preferably, these fluids should have certain electrolytes in them.
Electrolyte Imbalances: Because people are losing a very dilute fluid, the levels of electrolytes in their blood will start to rise. This could lead to high sodium, potassium, and chloride which can cause some complications including:
- Heart arrhythmias
- Seizures
- Muscle cramps
Fortunately, some medications can help people control diabetes insipidus and keep their electrolytes in check. People who are noticing a high urine output following a traumatic brain injury should seek professional medical care.
Assistance from a Compassionate Lawyer
Having a loved one in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury can be a stressful experience for a family. It is understandable to have questions during such challenging times. It is helpful to sit down with an experienced legal adviser to ensure that none of the details have been overlooked. Don’t be nervous about asking for help because you and your loved ones could be deserving of financial compensation.
Related Articles
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury lawyer in Sacramento. Diabetes Insipidus can follow a traumatic brain injury and lead to severe electrolyte imbalances. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
You can see our verdicts or settlements here.
Visit Yelp, Avvo, & Google to see our past client reviews.
Diabetes Insipidus Following Traumatic Brain Injuries: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/Diabetes Insipidus Following Traumatic Brain Injuries.
:dr cha [cs 755] cv