Penetrating Brain Injuries: Causes and Long-Term Effects

 

Penetrating brain injuries are one of the two main types of TBI (traumatic brain injuries). This type of injury happens when a foreign object breaks through your skull and tears into your brain.

The other type of traumatic brain injury is a closed-head injury, in which a jolt or blow causes your brain to move forcefully inside your skull.

The harm caused by a penetrating brain injury depends on the location and depth of the wound and the particular region of the brain that’s damaged.

 

If your or a loved one’sb penetrating brain injury was caused by somebody’s negligence, you are entitled to compensation. You will need the assistance of the best traumatic brain injury lawyer to help you get the money you deserve from the responsible party.

A classic example of a penetrating brain injury is a gunshot wound to the head, where the bullet does not leave the skull. Penetrating brain injuries are severe medical emergencies that can lead to permanent disability or even death. This article covers the causes and long-term effects of penetrating brain injuries.

 

Causes Of Penetrating Brain Injuries

 

Penetrating brain injury is usually caused by a blow or any traumatic injury to the head. The degree of damage depends on a few factors, including the force of impact and the nature of the brain injury.

 

Some common causes of penetrating brain injury include the following.

 

•    Vehicle-related Collisions: Collisions that involve bicycles/motorcycles, vehicles, and pedestrians are one of the causes of penetrating brain injury.

•    Falls: Unexpected falls from stairs, a bed, the bathroom, or a ladder are among the most common causes of penetrating brain injuries. This event is particularly common among young children and older adults.

•    Violence: Domestic violence, gunshot wounds, and assault are common causes.

 

What Are The Long-Term Effects Of Penetrating Brain Injuries?

 

Some brain injuries can be mild. With the right treatment and proper attention, the symptoms disappear over time. While other brain injuries are severe, resulting in permanent disability.

The long-term effects of penetrating brain injury include.

 

Motor Issues

 

• Reduced endurance
• Weakness or paralysis
• Shortening and tightening of the muscles (Spasticity)
• Poor balance
• Tremors
• Unable to start motor movements
• Poor coordination
• Swallowing problems

 

Cognitive Issues

 

• Confusion
• Coma
• Problem-solving deficit
• Problems with making a judgment
• Short attention span
• Amnesia
• Failure to understand an abstract concept
• Decreased awareness of self
• Loss of sense of space and time

 

Sensory Or Perceptual Issues

 

• Changes in vision, touch, taste, smell, and hearing
• Lack of visual acuity or poor range of vision
• Difficulty understanding where the limbs are in the body
• Loss of sensation of body parts

 

Language And Communication Issues

 

• Difficulty writing (Agraphia) and reading (Alexia)
• Difficulty speaking and understanding words (Aphasia)
• Decreased vocabulary, hesitant, and slow speech
• Difficulty selecting the right words
• Problems identifying various objects and their functions
• Inability to work with numbers and problems reading and writing numbers
• Failure to form sentences that make sense

 

Social Difficulties

 

• Inability to make friends and keep them
• Difficult interpersonal relationships
• Failure to understand and respond to others during social interaction

 

Regulatory Disturbances

 

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Loss of bladder and bowel control
• Dizziness
• Changes in eating habits
• Change in sleep patterns

 

Immediate medical treatment is essential to deal with these issues. With the right assistance, the victim can lead a fulfilling life.