What Are Some of the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is also known as cranial-cerebral trauma. This condition results from an impact, blow, or sudden movement. These injuries can range from mild to severe and can have lasting effects on individuals. Anyone who has a traumatic brain injury or suspects that one occurred due to an incident should receive immediate medical attention. Additionally, this medical attention may be necessary for the long term to help repair and reduce the side effects and direct effects. Keep reading to find out the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury and what to do if you suspect you’ve incurred this type of injury.

What to Know

Once an incident occurs, you need to look for several of these symptoms to help determine if medical treatment is necessary immediately. Keep in mind that these symptoms might not happen directly after an injury. If you have any incident where the head relieved trauma or a blow resulting from impact or object penetration, you need to seek medical treatment immediately. Medical experts can diagnose developing conditions and administer necessary treatments to potentially save your life or reduce their effects on the patient.

What to Look for With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

If you have received some shock or impact, you might have a mild traumatic brain injury—some of the symptoms to look for including the following.

Headache: You may develop a headache, which is very common. It might not appear immediately, but you may notice either a slow onset of a sudden undeniable headache. This is a sign to get treatment right away to catch any other issue that could pose a risk to your health.

Nausea: Nausea is a prime indicator of a traumatic brain injury. You may develop this symptom over a few hours to a day. You may have this along with a headache.

Sleepiness or tired: If you get sleepy after an accident or blow to the head, you need treatment immediately. Don’t stop to rest or take a nap. Make sure to have someone take you to the nearest emergency facility right away. Don’t try to take yourself because you could pass out or fall asleep at the wheel while en route.

Speech impairment: Although this is classified as a mild symptom, it’s still quite dramatic. Try to remain calm and acquire transportation to the nearest emergency medical facility.

Balance issues: When you have a traumatic brain injury, your balance may be affected. Whether you are dizzy or having trouble with balance, this is a sure sign of damage.

Loss or interruption of sensory functions: You may have issues with sight, taste, touch, or smell. Whether it’s a sensation or trouble with the senses, this is a prime indication and shouldn’t be ignored.

Additional symptoms: You may experience an altered mood or memory issues. Additionally, some other symptoms may appear, such as issues with your sleep or even depression.

What to Look for with Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

If you receive a significant traumatic brain injury due to a blow, jolt, impact, or accident, you’ll notice one or a few of these signs.

Loss of consciousness: If you pass out either for a few minutes or up to a few hours, this is a warning sign that you’ve experienced a significant brain injury.

Intense headache: Just like a mild traumatic brain injury, a more severe injury includes an intense headache that won’t go away or persists for a long time. Don’t ignore this symptom. Get treatment immediately.

Persistent nausea: As with a mild symptom, you’ll have nausea, but it will persist or worsen.

Seizures: If you have seizures, there’s no time to waste. The key is to get treatment immediately to stop them from causing further damage.

Pupil dilation: Moderate to severe brain trauma can cause dilation of one or both of the pupils.

Fluid drainage: If you notice clear fluids draining from the nose or ears, consider it an emergency. This fluid cushion the brain and leaks from the head when the protective covering is ruptured.

Loss of balance: If you have impaired coordination or a complete loss of balance, consider it an indication of traumatic brain injury that needs medical attention.

Loss of sensation: If you experience a loss of sensation or tingling in your extremities after an injury to the head, you might have significant brain trauma.

Additional symptoms: You may become agitated or have considerable difficulty speaking. You might also become confused and unable to wake from sleep.

What to do

Once you receive the proper medical treatment, you might want to contact a professional personal injury attorney. These types of injuries can mean big medical bills and other expenses related to recovery. Brain injury lawsuits require specific skills and insight that attorneys who specialize in these cases can manage. They can provide clients with the information and guidance necessary to help them get the compensation they need to prevent financial losses and help them on the road to recovery.