Severe Pain After a Traumatic Brain Injury

Severe Pain After a Traumatic Brain Injury

The scope of chronic pain is significant and recurrent discomfort can be a serious problem after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. For those who might not be aware, a traumatic brain injury occurs when someone suffers a blow to the head. This can cause either a transient or a permanent change in the way the brain functions. Furthermore, because the brain does not recover from these injuries like other organs, people could suffer lifelong complications stemming from neurological damage. One of these is severe pain after a traumatic brain injury. Some of the statistics that have been published by Brain and Spinal Cord include:

• Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and fall incidents
• Annually, about 70,000 people are going to be diagnosed with TBI from which they will suffer permanent complications
• In the year 2000 alone, the medical costs and lost wages stemming from brain injuries totaled more than $60 billion in the United States
• On a yearly basis, more than 50,000 people will die as a result of a TBI

These numbers are heartbreaking and show the damage that a brain injury can cause. One of the complications is chronic pain. Why does this happen and how can families process this discomfort?

The Mechanism Behind Chronic Pain

The brain is made up of a complex network of neurons. As these neurons fire back and forth, they transmit motor and sensory signals throughout the entire body. The brain is the processing center for all of these signals. Unfortunately, in a brain injury, these neurons can become damaged. They might not be able to properly process signals. As a result, the brain starts to interpret these signals as pain. This can lead to severe pain after a traumatic brain injury that individuals feel.

Treatment Options for Chronic Pain

Fortunately, several treatment options are available to those who are suffering from chronic pain. Some of these include:

Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Over the counter medications are typically the first-line treatment for pain. These medications have very few side effects as long as people adhere to the dosing limits on the box. These medications are often useful for acute pain caused by swelling. However, they tend to become less effective in the long-term.

Narcotics: Narcotics and opioids have spent a lot of time in the news recently due to their side effects and overdose issues. However, they can be helpful for those suffering from severe pain. By dulling the body’s pain receptors, people can make their pain more bearable. Unfortunately, they can also be very addictive and could place people in the hospital.

Nerve Injections: If the pain is isolated to one location, nerve injections could be an option. In this injection, pain-relieving medication is placed around the problematic nerve. By dulling this nerve, pain relief could be found for a few weeks to a few months. These injections are usually repeated on a regular basis.

Surgery: For those whose pain does not respond to other treatment options, surgery could be a treatment choice. In a surgical procedure, the nerves that are causing the pain are cut. Of course, losing these nerves can also lead to permanent motor or sensory changes. However, it could also remove someone’s pain. This is a decision that should be made in conjunction with a trained medical professional.

After seeking medical care, it is important to note that other resources are available. Where else can families turn during their time of need?

Seeking Help from a Brain Injury Lawyer

Having a loved one struggle with chronic pain can be devastating. Many people feel powerless to help their family member or friend overcome their discomfort. Fortunately, meeting with a brain injury lawyer in Fresno can help a family find answers. Some of the ways that an injury lawyer can help include:

• Taking a look at the medical records to make sure that nothing has been missed
• Working with financial institutions to help get benefits paid out
• Assisting families in pursuing damages related to the accident, its injuries, and any complications
• Moving a case to trial when required

Families need to know that help is available. Meet with a Fresno brain injury attorney today. You and your family could be owed financial compensation for your losses.

Fresno Brain Injury Lawyer

I’m Ed Smith, a Fresno brain injury lawyer. Severe pain after a traumatic brain injury can be heartbreaking for an individual and their loved ones. If you or a loved one has suffered a TBI and gone on to develop chronic pain, please call me at (559) 377-7676 or toll-free using (800) 404-5400 to receive my free, friendly advice.

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