<P> Patients who develop PSH after traumatic injury have longer hospitalization and longer durations in intensive care in cases where ICU treatment is necessary . Patients often are more vulnerable to infections and spend longer times on ventilators, which can lead to an increased risk of various lung diseases . PSH does not affect mortality rate, but it increases the amount of time it takes a patient to recover from injury, compared to patients with similar injuries who do not develop PSH episodes . It often takes patients who develop PSH longer to reach similar levels of the brain activity seen in patients who do not develop PSH, although PSH patients do eventually reach these same levels . </P> <P> Various methods are used to treat PSH . Medications are used to end episodes or prevent their occurrence . Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been explored as well . Other treatments have been used, but their success is measured on a case - by - case basis . Successful treatments with qualitative results or efficacy for wider ranges of patients have not been developed . </P> <P> The two most common medications used in the treatment of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity are morphine sulfate and beta - blockers . Morphine is useful in helping halt episodes that have started to occur . Beta - blockers are helpful in preventing the occurrence of' sympathetic storms' . Other drugs that have been used and have in some cases been helpful are dopamine agonists, other various opiates, benzodiazepines, clonidine, and baclofen . Chlorpromazine and haloperidol, both dopamine antagonists, in some cases have worsened PSH symptoms . These drugs are in use currently for treatment; exact pathways are not known and wide - range helpfulness is speculative . </P> <P> Morphine has been found to be effective in aborting episodes; sometimes it is the only medication that can combat the sympathetic response . Morphine helps lower respiration rates and hypertension . It is given in doses of two milligrams to eight milligrams but can be administered up to twenty milligrams . Nausea and vomiting are common side effects . Withdrawal is sometimes seen in patients . </P>

What causes sympathetic nervous system to be overactive