 Traumatic brain injuries result from sudden trauma to the head, such as that caused by a sudden car accident or unexpected fall. Dealing with a traumatic brain injury can be frustrating because it is often hard to detect. Victims of traumatic brain injuries often exhibit behavioral changes and other warning signs, but may otherwise appear physically healthy. Accordingly, it is important that you understand the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury and become educated on the disorder. Our Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC brain injury attorneys provided this information to educate the public about traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and head trauma.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury caused by sudden trauma to the head, which disrupts the normal function of the brain. TBIs can be caused by the following:
- Automobile accidents
- Medical mistakes
- Workplace falls or accidents
- Construction accidents
- Birth injuries
- Sporting accidents
- Child abuse
- Falling objects
Coping with a Traumatic Brain Injury
Symptoms of a TBI range in severity, depending on the extent of damage to the brain. Immediately following the accident, a person with a mild TBI may retain consciousness, or may become unconscious for a brief period of time. Other symptoms of a mild TBI include:
- Headaches and neck pain
- Dizziness, light-headedness, or loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty concentrating
- Ringing in the ears
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Difficulty sleeping or changes in sleep patterns
- Mood changes
- Slowness in thinking, speaking, or reading
Symptoms of a more severe TBI may include the above symptoms, as well as the following:
- Headaches that do not go away
- Vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of pupils
- Weakness or numbness in extremities
- Severe sensitivity to lights or sounds
- Loss of coordination
Injured children may display slightly different symptoms than those found in adults. You should consult a physician if your child has received a head injury and exhibits any of the following symptoms:
- Tiredness
- Refusal to eat
- Behavioral changes, such as changes in the way a child plays or in school performance
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities
- Loss of new skills, such as toilet training
- Vomiting
- Unsteady walking
Preventing Traumatic Brain Injury
The best way to reduce your risk of a TBI is to take safety precautions in your daily life. Because many traumatic brain injuries result from car accidents, you should take safety measures when riding in a vehicle, such as:
- Wearing a seat belt at all times
- Ensuring that your child sits in a child safety seat (until the child weighs 40 pounds) or booster seat (until the child is 4’9” tall)
- Never driving while under the influence of alcohol
- Wearing a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle, or other vehicle
Other ways of eliminating risks in everyday life include:
- Removing tripping hazards such as throw rugs or clutter in walkways
- Improving lighting in your home
- Wearing a helmet when engaging in contact sports
- Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows
- Using safety gates to ensure that children do not fall down the stairs
Treating a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries must be treated as soon as possible to avoid further damage. Immediately after the injury, medical personnel will treat the individual and stabilize the patient by ensuring that there is proper flow of oxygen to the brain, the blood flow is constant, and blood pressure is under control.
To diagnose a TBI, a physician will often use imaging tests, such as x-rays and computed tomography (CT) scans, to check for bone fractures or spinal problems. Rehabilitation for traumatic brain injuries may include:
- Physical therapy
- Psychological counseling
- Speech or language therapy
- Occupational therapy
Coping with a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you or a loved one have suffered from a head trauma or TBI, it is important that you educate yourself about the condition and seek support from your community. Many communities offer support networks. If you feel that your TBI was due to the negligence of another person, you should contact a Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC brain injury attorney to assist you in recovering compensation for your injury.
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