Diagnosing a Brain Bleed: Traumatic Brain Injury
When an individual is involved in a traumatic accident, countless injuries might result. Some of these injuries can be relatively minor, such as bumps, bruises, and cuts. Others can be devastating, life-altering injuries. This is what happens when someone has suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Unfortunately, thousands of families are irreparably damaged every year because of a brain injury suffered by a loved one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
- The most common causes of traumatic brain injuries included slip and fall injuries and auto accidents in 2013.
- About 75 percent of all traumatic brain injuries in elderly individuals resulted from falls.
- Between 2001 and 2012, the rate of hospitalizations for traumatic brain injuries in children doubled.
Based on these numbers, it is obvious that neurological injuries are a serious issue. Like other injuries, there are many different types of brain damage. One common example is an intracranial hemorrhage, which is also called a brain bleed.
Symptoms of a Brain Bleed
It is essential for everyone to know the signs of a neurological injury. There are a few common symptoms of brain bleeds for which everyone needs to watch. These include:
- A delayed loss of consciousness following a traumatic event.
- A severe headache on one side of the skull.
- Confusion and disorientation that worsens with time.
- Severe nausea and intractable vomiting.
If someone is experiencing these symptoms following a traumatic accident, it is important to seek medical care right away. The brain bleed needs to be identified and localized so that it can be treated as quickly as possible.
Confirming the Diagnosis
If someone presents to a medical provider showing these symptoms, there is going to be a concern for a traumatic brain injury. To confirm that a brain bleed is present, imaging is required. In this situation, the most common radiological procedure is a CT scan. A CT scan can be performed in seconds and differentiates tissue based on density. While bone will show up white, liquid, such as blood, will show up dark. This will show the doctor where the bleed is located, and the treatment process can begin.
Emergent Treatment is Required
As time passes, the bleed will continue to grow. As the bleed gets bigger, it starts to fill the space inside of the skull. This means that the intracranial pressure rises and the individual could suffer a brain herniation. The symptoms of a brain herniation include:
- A pupil that is significantly larger than the other called a “blown pupil.”
- A rising heart rate and falling blood pressure.
- Paralysis of the arms and legs.
- The loss of a respiratory drive, leading to a cessation of breathing.
To prevent this, a doctor needs to relieve the intracranial pressure. A trained neurosurgeon will perform an emergent craniotomy, removing a part of the skull to allow the brain to swell without the constriction of rising pressure. This treatment could be lifesaving.
Watch YouTube Video: Diagnosing Brain Hemorrhages. In the video below, Dr. Max Wintermark from the University of Virginia explains how to diagnose traumatic brain injuries.
Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney
If a loved one has suffered a brain injury in a traumatic accident, such as a motor vehicle collision or a slip and fall incident, this can be a stressful process. Families often have many questions about how the incident occurred. In this scenario, it is important to meet with a traumatic brain injury lawyer. There are many ways an attorney can help, such as:
- Taking a look at the records of the accident to ensure that details haven’t been overlooked.
- Serving as an objective presence to help families make decisions during a difficult time.
- Assisting families to seek damages that are related to the accident.
- Taking the case to court when necessary.
No family should ever feel alone following a serious accident, particularly one with major injuries. This is why reaching out to a traumatic brain injury attorney in San Francisco is a good idea. You could be entitled to a financial reward.
Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers in San Francisco
I’m Ed Smith, a San Francisco Traumatic brain injury lawyer. A brain bleed can lead to lifelong complications or even death. If a family member or yourself have suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, please call me at (415) 805-7284 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
I hold memberships in the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and also the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
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