Talk of traumatic brain injuries has been at the forefront of many recent news stories. If you are at all a football fan, there is no doubt that you have heard or read about the concern with head injuries and their effect on the brain. If you’ve suffered a head injury in a Florida car accident, or any other type of accident, there is a good chance that some degree of brain damage occurred. Whether it was a concussion, or worse, research on traumatic brain injuries has shown that even a slight blow to the head can have an effect on the brain. Scarier yet, a traumatic brain injury can even occur without any impact to the head at all.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain often caused by a blow or sudden jolt to the head that disrupts brain function. TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the extent of the brain damage. They are also classified as open or closed. This depends on whether the skull has been broken or not.
What Can Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of TBIs, and are especially common among children under the age of four and adults over the age of 75. Other causes include:
Motor vehicle accidents – striking of head on a window or steering wheel, or other blow to the head or sudden jolt (extreme whiplash type movement)
Intentional acts (assaults)
Sports-related injuries (football, soccer, etc.)
What Are Some of the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Symptoms of TBIs depend on the severity of the injury, and they may go unnoticed for some time. It’s important to understand the symptoms of a brain injury and seek medical attention right away if you have any reason to suspect you may be injured. With a TBI, some people may experience one or more of the following symptoms over time.
Persistent mild headache.
Loss of memory, concentration, organizational ability or decision-making ability.
Slow speech.
Difficulty reading or focusing.
Confusion
Loss of energy or sex drive.
Change in sleep patterns, e.g. insomnia or oversleeping.
Loss of coordination or balance.
Sensitivity to light.
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears.
Mood swings or changes.
Loss of one or more senses.
A victim with a mild TBI may experience a short-term loss of consciousness however some mild TBI victims don’t lose consciousness at all. Mild TBI victims may also experience confusion, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping after an injury. Please note that the term “mild” TBI is misleading. Any injury to the brain can cause serious, long-term and potentially permanent consequences, even if the injury is not life-threatening.
A victim with a moderate or severe TBI will definitely lose consciousness. Victims may then experience extreme headaches, vomiting, weakness or numbness. They may also exhibit fluids draining from the eyes or ears, and suffer seizures. Due to confusion, they may suffer once conscious, it may also be difficult for them to communicate.
It is important to know that TBI symptoms may take time to manifest. That is why it is important to see a doctor immediately after taking a hard hit to the head, even if you don’t think that you’re injured. In addition, even if you think you “only” have a concussion, your injury still must be treated seriously. A concussion is a brain injury. Left untreated, concussions can cause long-lasting effects.
Can a Traumatic Brain Injury Be Treated?
TBIs can have severe health effects that last for weeks, months, or years. Treatment for victims of traumatic brain injuries include:
Medications
Surgery
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Anger management techniques
Cognitive behavioral therapy
Rehabilitation
Specialist treatment methods
Treatments for traumatic brain injuries often aim at relieving pain, healing the underlying injury to the brain, and improving the patient’s quality of life. The results of treatment can vary. Some TBI victims may see vast improvements with treatment, while others may see little improvement in their condition.
Have you or a loved one sustained a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence? If so, contact an Apollo Beach Personal Injury Attorney at Southshore Injury Attorneys to schedule a consultation. Our skilled personal injury attorneys will fight tirelessly to recover the compensation you deserve.
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