(702) 857-6000What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are severe head injuries that cause significant trauma to the brain. A TBI can have many different levels of severity. The victim of a TBI may recover completely or could end up with a lifelong disability.
Millions of American suffer a TBI every year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 2.87 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths because of TBIs in 2014.
Common causes of TBIs include falls, motor vehicle accidents, gunshot wounds, head trauma from sports, skull fractures, and explosive blasts or other combat injuries.
People with increased risk factors for a TBI include children, young adults, seniors, and males.
What Are the Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury usually occurs after a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. It can also be caused when an object penetrates the brain tissue. A mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells only temporarily. A more severe traumatic brain injury can result in long term complications or death.
How do you know if you have a traumatic brain injury?
Common Symptoms of a Mild TBI
If you are suffering from a mild TBI, you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- brief loss of consciousness
- a state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
- dizziness, loss of balance
- headache
- nausea or vomiting
- problems with speech
- changes in sleep patterns
- blurred vision
- ringing in the ears
- bad taste in mouth
- change in ability to smell
- memory loss or concentration problems
Common Symptoms of a Moderate or Severe TBI
If you are suffering from a moderate to severe TBI, you may experience the same symptoms that result from a mild TBI and also:
- longer loss of consciousness
- persistent or worsening headache
- repeated vomiting or nausea
- convulsions or seizures
- dilation of one or both pupils
- clear fluids draining from nose or ears
- weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- loss of coordination
- slurred speech
- coma
- profound confusion
Seek Medical Care
If you believe that you or a loved one may be suffering from a TBI, you should see a healthcare professional immediately for an evaluation.
Currently, very little can be done to reverse the damage that is caused by the initial brain trauma; however, medical personnel can try to stabilize the individual, maintain the brain function, and prevent further injury. Medical care providers will ensure proper oxygen supply to the brain, manage blood pressure, monitor blood vessels to make sure they are maintaining proper blood flow, remove blood clots, and conduct tests like X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging to assess the severity of the injury.
Additionally, organizations such as the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) are conducting further research in how to treat TBIs.
Injury Prevention Tips
You can reduce the risk of TBI and other types of brain damage by wearing seat belts in cars, always wearing a helmet or head protection when playing sports or extreme activities that can result in severe injuries, and avoiding drugs and alcohol prior to driving.
Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
Did you or one of your family members suffer from a TBI because of the fault of another party? If so, you should speak with experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys who can advise you about your case.
If you’d like to speak to the traumatic brain injury attorneys at Anthem Injury Lawyers, contact us at (702) 857-6000 to set up a free consultation.
