A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. If this happened to you, would you know the warning signs to look for?
Here’s a scenario to consider: You slip and fall while walking the dog, and your head lightly hits the pavement. There’s no blood or visible injury, but a lump on your head feels sore. After a few days, you start to feel off:
- You can’t focus at work and forget things just said.
- Tasks that used to take a couple of hours now take all day to complete.
- Loud noises make you flinch and you’re suddenly sensitive to light.
- You easily snap at people, which feels out of character.
- You feel exhausted but have trouble sleeping.
Would you connect these symptoms to the fall or chalk it up to stress or burnout?
It’s not until a friend who’s had a concussion before asks, “Hey, did you hit your head when you fell?” that the possibility of a traumatic brain injury even crosses your mind.
TBIs are Common, With Mild Ones Often Going Unnoticed
A TBI is a form of brain damage that can happen when a person’s head is hit or jolted, or if there is a penetrating injury to the head. Health professionals categorize TBIs as mild, medium, or severe. The most common ways they can occur are from car accidents, falls, sports injuries, workplace accidents, or assault.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are around 200,000 TBI-related hospitalizations annually in the United States. While there are a large number of TBIs that cause hospitalizations, mild ones often go unnoticed. Here’s why:
- Symptoms can take hours or days to appear.
- People minimize the event if they weren’t knocked out for long or at all.
- Symptoms like fatigue, mood changes, or memory issues are often blamed on stress or mental health.
Red Flag Symptoms of a TBI: Don’t Ignore These
Even though TBIs are a major cause of death or disability, they can be challenging to spot. There are often no external signs, such as a cut, bruise, or bump. Seek immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms appear. These can indicate a serious or life-threatening brain injury:
- Headaches
- Dilated pupils
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Blurred vision
- Clear fluids are discharged from the ears or nose
- Nausea and vomiting
- Tinnitus (ringing ears)
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Seizures
- Paralysis
Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Not all TBIs are immediately obvious. Some symptoms can show up hours or days after the injury. These may fall into four key categories:
Physical Symptoms
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Nausea or vomiting (not repeated)
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Blurred or double vision
- Fatigue or low energy
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of coordination or clumsiness
Cognitive Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Memory problems or forgetfulness
- Slowed thinking or response times
- Feeling mentally “foggy” or confused
- Trouble finding the right words
Sleep-Related Symptoms
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Feeling drowsy during the day
Psychological Symptoms
- Irritability or mood swings
- Anxiety or nervousness
- Depression or sadness
- Feeling more emotional than usual
- A general sense of being not yourself
What to Do if You Suspect a Brain Injury
Depending on the severity, a TBI can have consequences that last a few days to an entire lifetime. A head injury should always be acknowledged and treated as soon as possible. The sooner you talk to a doctor, the sooner you can get on the road to recovery. Putting off a doctor visit can worsen your short- and long-term recovery and sometimes exacerbate the injury itself.
If you have been injured in an accident where you suspect a traumatic brain injury and you wish to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today.