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The Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury You Should Know About
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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a catastrophic medical condition resulting from an external force, such as jolts, blows, or other head injuries, causing severe damage to the brain.
The severity of TBIs can range from mild concussions or severe brain damage that can lead to long-term disability or even death. As the symptoms of a TBI can vary greatly depending on the injury's severity, recognizing them early is crucial for seeking immediate medical treatment.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s important to consult with experienced brain injury lawyers. These attorneys are well-versed in complicated TBI cases and can help victims win compensation for all the losses they have sustained. The best TBI lawyers know their way around legal procedures and will be able to help in the protection of a victim’s rights.
The sections below talk about the symptoms of a TBI in detail.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms are probably the easiest to identify of a TBI and can be either mild, moderate, or severe. Symptoms may include the following:
- Headaches: Ranging from mild to severe, these are usually common in TBIs and worsen with physical exertion and mental stress.
- Dizziness and Balance Problems: Many victims of TBI suffer from dizziness, lightheadedness, or difficulty in maintaining balance, which may be immediate in onset or may develop later on.
- Nausea and Vomiting: Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting, is a classic symptom of concussion or severe brain injury and may start soon after the incident.
Cognitive and Emotional Symptoms
Cognitive functions can be impaired by TBIs, which include the inability to think clearly, concentrate, or remember things. Symptoms may be subtle or very noticeable depending on the severity of the injury:
- Difficulty in remembering details or events before or after the injury could be common, especially among moderate to severe TBIs. These include short-term memory problems and, in more grave instances, long-term memory loss.
- Confusion and Disorientation: A person with TBI may appear confused or disoriented, not knowing what's happening around them. This also may manifest as an inability to focus on tasks or follow conversations.
- Difficulty with Concentration: After a brain injury, concentrating on tasks or maintaining attention can be a significant challenge. This can affect a person's ability to work, study, or engage in activities they once enjoyed.
Sleep Disturbances
Changes in sleep patterns are a common symptom of traumatic brain injuries. Victims may experience:
- Poor Sleep: Insomnia or poor sleep is common following a brain injury, possibly because the brain has become more sensitive or is disturbed by headaches.
- Excessive Sleeping or Fatigue: On the other hand, some people may experience excessive sleepiness, sleeping for too long. It would eventually lead to overwhelming exhaustion that would prevent a person from continuing their daily endeavors.
Sensory Symptoms
A TBI can alter the senses, leading to a number of sensory-related symptoms that one may not think about but can impact daily life significantly.
- Blurry Vision: After a brain injury, visual disturbances are common, such as blurred or double vision. This may be due to the inability of the brain to process information correctly after trauma.
- Tinnitus: Another symptom of TBI is tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. This may be some continuous buzzing or ringing noise that is always present.
- Loss of Smell or Taste: Sometimes, trauma to the brain may affect the olfactory lobe of the brain, which controls smell and causes temporary or permanent loss of smell or taste.