Facts about brain injury

A single blow to the head can have catastrophic effects on the remainder of your life, and in many cases, it can leave you needing long-term or permanent care. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 1.7 million people suffer traumatic brain injuries every year in America, and that TBIs play a role in about 30 percent of all injury-related fatalities in the United States. Because TBIs vary considerably and no two brain injuries are exactly alike, the symptoms associated with each can fluctuate from one victim to the next. Furthermore, symptoms tend to vary based on the severity of the TBI. Here is an overview of symptoms commonly associated with TBIs.

Signs of mild traumatic brain injury

If you suspect you or someone you care about has suffered a mild TBI, be on the lookout for the following:

• Physical symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness, headache or loss of consciousness
• Sensory issues such as problems with vision or extreme sensitivity to lights or noise
• Cognitive problems such as rapid mood swings or uncharacteristic feelings of anxiety or depression
• Any combination of the above

It is important to note that not all symptoms of a TBI are readily apparent. Some do not become noticeable until hours, or even days, after the initial blow to the head.

Signs of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury

In addition to the symptoms commonly associated with mild TBIs, those that are moderate to severe in nature may also result in the following:

• Physical symptoms such as numbness in the extremities, prolonged loss of consciousness, dilation of the pupils or seizures
• Cognitive issues such as uncharacteristic agitation or confusion
• Issues with consciousness or coma
• Any combination of the above

Even mild TBIs can lead to serious hardship and long-term issues if not promptly treated, so it is essential that you see a doctor as quickly as possible following your accident, even if you believe your symptoms indicate that your injury is not particularly severe in nature.

TBI risk factors

While no one is immune from suffering a TBI, some people face a higher risk than others. Young children are likelier to experience a TBI than the general population, and so are those over the age of 75 and between the ages of 15 and 24.

While the injuries associated with brain injuries are often extremely debilitating, they, too, can take a serious financial toll. If you or someone you know has suffered a TBI, you may find it helpful to speak with an attorney.