The Symptoms of a Brain Injury Accident Victims Should Look Out For
Traumatic brain injury is among the most severe injuries a victim could sustain in an accident. This condition affects thousands of Americans each year. In 2020, more than 200,000 people required inpatient care because of a TBI.
Since this condition is not always obvious, people need to recognize early signs. Symptoms may appear within hours, days, or even weeks after the traumatic incident. This is why early detection is important to prevent additional damage and improve recovery outcomes.
It is essential to contact a brain injury lawyer to get professional advice on how to approach a claim. Below are common symptoms of brain injury that every victim should be aware of.
Physical Symptoms
Physical symptoms are the most noticeable signs of TBI. Though they can vary in severity, here are the top signs to look out for:
Headaches and Migraines
Persistent headaches that worsen over time are a sign of TBI. Accident victims should take headaches seriously, especially if they intensify or become constant.
Nausea and Vomiting
If vomiting happens multiple times, it could indicate serious brain damage requiring immediate attention.
Dizziness and Balance Issues
Many TBI victims experience dizziness, balance problems, and light-headedness. These symptoms are a sign of interrupted brain functions.
Sensitivity to Light and Noise
Being intolerant to bright lights or loud sounds is another common sign, as the brain can become easily overstimulated. The sensitivity tends to worsen with exposure.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive signs affect a victim’s ability to think clearly and perform even simple tasks. Some of the symptoms include:
Difficulty in remembering recent conversations, events, or new information can be a sign that the brain is struggling. Any short-term memory loss is a common symptom of TBI.
Confusion and Disorientation
Brain injury victims may feel disoriented and confused when trying to perform daily tasks. This can vary and improve with time, depending on how severe an injury is.
Concentrating Problems
Struggling to focus, process information, or make decisions shows some cognitive disruption. Victims find it hard to stay focused and can feel more mentally tired than usual.
Slurred or Slow Speech
If speech becomes slurred or difficult to understand, it can indicate a serious brain issue since it tends to impact language processing.
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms
A brain injury can change a person’s behavior and emotional well-being. These personality changes affect the victim and the people around them. Below are some signs that are easy to overlook:
Mood Swings
People with brain injuries have sudden mood changes, changing from irritability to sadness and anger without any clear reason. These shifts are typically out of character and hard to control.
Anxiety and Depression
TBI can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and a feeling of hopelessness, even if a person doesn’t have a history of these issues. These emotional changes are often due to changes in the brain’s chemistry due to the impact of the injury.
Sleep Disturbances
Brain injuries frequently disrupt sleep patterns. They can cause difficulties falling asleep, staying asleep, and excessive sleep. Poor sleep can worsen the symptoms, causing further fatigue and emotional distress.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While some symptoms can be mild and manageable, some signs show the need to get immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms below, it is time to get urgent care:
- Loss of consciousness. Even a brief loss of consciousness after a head injury can be serious as it suggests disruption of brain function.
- A seizure is a strong indication of severe brain trauma and should be urgently treated.
- Weaknesses and numbness of limbs. Sudden tingling in the body can be a sign that swelling in your brain is affecting motor functions.
- Worsening symptoms over time. If any of the symptoms discussed worsen over time, your injury could be getting more serious than it is showing more swelling or bleeding.
Either way, it is important to seek medical attention immediately after an accident to spot any signs of brain injury early enough.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptoms of brain injury can be life-saving since these signs show the progress of your brain health. While some signs are mild and develop slowly, early intervention is important to prevent long-term effects.
