Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville brain injury lawyer. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur for a number of reasons. They are commonly caused by auto accidents, violent assaults, sports injuries and slip-and-fall accidents. The first symptoms range from dizziness and mild discomfort to slurred speech and severe headache.
What to do if you Suspect a TBI Injury
If you or your loved one has experienced one of the injuries listed above, seek medical attention right away. Never assume that you or your loved one suffered only minor injuries. It is crucial to be evaluated by a qualified physician promptly. Be sure to keep track of all symptoms you experience and share this information with your doctor. Keep all follow up appointments as your physician recommends.
The Mayo Clinic provides the following list of symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury:
- Loss of consciousness (lasting for just a few seconds or up to a few minutes).
- A state of disorientation or confusion
- Memory problems
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Changes in mood
- Feeling depressed or anxious
Someone who suffers a more serious head or brain injury will show many of the same symptoms above, but may experience a harder time recovering. Immediate symptoms of a more severe TBI include:
- Loss of consciousness for several minutes or even several hours
- Deep confusion
- Slurred speech
- Loss of balance and coordination
- Persistent headache that starts to worsen over time
- Seizures or convulsions
- Repeated vomiting
- Aggressiveness, agitation and other uncharacteristic behaviors
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
Signs of Potential Brain Injury
Remember, if you suspect even a mild brain injury, you need to seek medical attention quickly. TBIs can be a sneaky injury. The symptoms of a TBI may not present themselves right away, waiting days or even weeks, and may not even seem like signs of a head or brain injury. Becoming familiar with the symptoms of this all too common head injury may help you prevent yourself or someone you love from suffering devastating and long-term brain damage.
Sleeping More Than Usual or Difficulty Sleeping
After a head or brain injury, you should watch the victim’s sleeping patterns. If he or she is having difficulty sleeping or feels as if he or she needs to sleep more than usual to feel well rested, it’s time to visit the doctor.
How Common are Sleep Problems After a TBI?
Studies show that sleep disorders occur 3 times more frequently in TBI sufferers than in the rest of the population. Sixty percent of TBI sufferers experience long term trouble sleeping.
Examples of Sleep Difficulties after a TBI:
- Excessive sleepiness during daytime hours
- Narcolepsy
- Insomnia
- Delayed Sleep Phase Syndrome
The above list is not exhaustive. It is important to understand that sleep is a very complex process. It involves many parts of the brain. A mild to catastrophic injury may affect a sufferers REM cycles and inhibit good quality sleep. Talk to your physician if you are experiencing problems sleeping after a car accident or other personal injury.
Sudden and Profound Mood Swings
Watch for any changes in behavior, especially wild mood swings. A traumatic brain injury can sometimes show up through sudden outbursts and unpredictable mood swings. It may be more difficult for the sufferer to control his or her emotions after a TBI. Injuries resulting from car accidents can take a toll on the entire family. If you or a member of your family begins to exhibit mood swings after a head or brain injury resulting after a motor vehicle collision talk to your doctor about:
- Counseling for family members
- Medication to stabilize mood
- Techniques to remain calm when outbursts occur
- Ways to redirect the patient’s energy and attention to different activities
- Therapy or other ways to deal with depression or anxiety
TBI Sufferers May Withdraw From Others
Traumatic brain injuries may sometimes trigger an intense sadness in those suffering from the condition. The injured person may even withdraw from activities and people that used to make him or her very happy.
Combativeness, Agitation and Other Unusual Behavior
Sadly, a traumatic brain injury may sometimes result in your loved one changing from the person you knew prior to the accident. If the one you love suddenly changes his or her behavior after suffering a head injury, it could be a sign of a traumatic brain injury.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Nausea and/or vomiting — This symptom typically presents itself soon after the head injury takes place. If the sufferer feels nauseated after a head injury, seek medical attention immediately.
Loss of coordination — This usually is a sign of a severe injury to the brain. The sufferer may have a hard time walking and that difficulty may be more prevalent on one side of the body or the other.
Numbness in the extremities, such as toes and fingers — Brain injuries can sometimes result in a victims who suffers tingling or numbness in their toes or their fingers. This numbness may be accompanied by weakness.
Clear fluid or blood coming from the ears or nose — If the injured person has clear fluids draining out of his or her ears or nose, take them to a emergency room or doctor immediately. This may be cerebrospinal fluid, which helps cushion the brain.
Slurred speech — Speech that is slurred is a common symptom of a severe injury to the brain. If you or a loved one has slurred speech, you should immediately seek medical attention.
Necessity of Urgent Medical Attention
If you or someone you hold dear experiences any of these symptoms seek immediate medical attention. The sooner a traumatic brain injury is diagnosed, treated and monitored, the more likely a chance for a successful recovery.
Roseville Brain Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Roseville Brain Injury Lawyer. If you or a member in your family has suffered from a brain injury accident, please call me at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice. I may also be contacted toll-free at (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice.
I have been assisting Roseville families recover compensation for their personal injury and wrongful death cases for over 3 decades.
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