What Are The Symptoms of Brain Damage?
The number of traumatic brain injuries are on the rise in Canada. And for this reason, people need to be more informed about the symptoms that brain damage can bring into life.
The more that you understand the symptoms, the better you can be prepared to act if you or a loved one starts to show signs of having a brain injury.
How do Brain Injuries Happen?
Brain damage is something that is more common than what people realize. There are several ways in which traumatic brain injuries happen.
However, what all these incidents have in common is that they result in the brain suffering a blow that shakes it up, and then more serious side effects can set in. Some of the more common reasons for a brain injury to happen include:
- Car accidents or truck accidents in which the person suffers a blow to the head
- Sports that are considered high-impact such as football or even soccer
- Trip and fall accidents in which the person hits their head onto the concrete or another hard surface
- Industrial accidents
Brain injuries are more common than what many people realize. However, through the correct knowledge, you can start to realize what you need to pay attention to in order to get medical treatment.
Remember, traumatic brain injuries that go untreated can lead to death. And this is becoming more common. This could do to the fact that many people are not aware of what these symptoms are!
The Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries have several symptoms, some of these are to be expected, while others may be a surprise to learn that they are associated with a brain injury.
It is important that a person know all the symptoms, so they can seek medical attention for themselves of their loved one.
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
- The person may have lost consciousness when the injury happened. Or they could have appeared dazed, as though they are not sure where they are at or what happened.
- Nausea or even vomiting.
- A headache that seems to be all-encompassing.
- They may have vision issues such as double vision or everything may be blurry, and then get better and switch back again.
- The person may feel dizzy.
- While walking they may lose their balance often.
- They may want to sleep more than what is normal for them.
- They may have trouble with speaking, as their brain is still suffering from the blow that occurred.
- Sensitivity to the light or sound around them, which could result in the headache getting worse.
- They may complain of a bad taste in their mouth despite having eaten or drank items to get rid of this.
- There may be a ringing in the ears that does not go away.
- They may have short term memory issues.
- They may have trouble paying attention to what is going on around them.
- Mood swings are also common.
These are symptoms that are commonly associated with mild or medium brain injury. When a brain injury is more severe, the symptoms are going to be more. These symptoms may include:
- They may suffer from seizures
- The headache becomes worse
- They may lose consciousness even after being sent home from the doctor
- They may feel weakness in their fingers or toes or even tingles
- When they do go to sleep, they may be almost impossible to wake up
- They may be more agitated
- They can be combative and have no real reason for why they are becoming angrier
- Their pupils may be dilated in one or both eyes
These symptoms may be seen just hours after an accident, or it could be a few days after being involved in an accident. It is not uncommon for a person to show a few, and then start to feel better, but then start to show these symptoms later down the line.
What To Do When Symptoms Are Seen
What should you do when the symptoms of brain damage are being seen in a loved one? It is imperative that you seek medical attention for that person. Why is this?
While it would seem that a few symptoms are minor, they could signal that there are more major symptoms that could coming.
With the proper medical care, the symptoms can be lessened, and the person may find that the long-term consequences of having this brain injury will not be as dramatic.
What are the Long-Term Consequences of Brain Damage?
When a person does suffer brain damage and they have several symptoms that are seen, yet are not treated, there are long term consequences that can be a dramatic change to the person’s life. These may include:
- Permeant damage to the brain that results in vision loss
- Issues that affect the muscles and coordination that result in the person being unable to walk on their own
- Memory issues that are long term
- Death can happen
Therefore, those who have symptoms should be seen by a medical professional.
What Will a Medical Professional Do?
When you do arrive at a medical facility, what will the medical professional do in order to help those who are suffering with brain damage? There are several routes that can be taken. These may include:
- Medications to help ease nausea and pain that is associated with the brain damage, along with medications to help with seizures or other ailments that may be happening.
- Therapy sessions to help with long term effects such as those that affect speech, movement and thinking.
- Monitoring of blood pressure to ensure that this does not go lower or higher which can result in the damage becoming even more.
- In extreme cases, surgery may be needed such as when there is blood on the brain after a car accident.
- There are times in which doctors may put patients into medically induced comas to help the brain to heal without any stress.
- Rest is often recommended for those who have minor symptoms along with having the person to avoid physical activities that could make this worse.
For those who do end up seeking medical attention for the brain damage they have suffered, they should realize that this is going to be a long process.
While you may have minor symptoms, you will be closely monitored to ensure that these symptoms do not get worse. This is why it is vital that brain damage not be treated lightly, as it one issue that can cause death.
If you believe that you have had brain damage due to the fault of someone else, then you may have a case against them. For all your personal injury needs, call us today. We can help!
We know that this is a difficult time for everyone, but we want to make this a bit easier. Medical bills can become outrageous when dealing with brain damage, and if this happened due to no fault of your own, then you deserve compensation for this injury!
Contact us today for a FREE Consultation.
