March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, an opportunity to increase awareness about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI is a serious and often life-changing condition that affects millions of Americans each year. Whether caused by a car accident, a fall, or a sports injury, TBI can have a profound impact on a person's physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being.
Understanding concussions and other types of TBIs is essential for both preventing and treating this condition. If you've been in an accident and think you may have a brain injury, here's what you need to know.
What causes TBI?
A traumatic brain injury is a head injury caused by a blow to the head. In incidents such as falls, motor vehicle crashes, and other incidents, the force of impact causes the brain to shift around inside the skull. A TBI can also happen from an object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or metal shard. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.5 million Americans suffer a TBI every year.
Signs and symptoms of TBI
The symptoms of a TBI vary depending on the severity of the injury. In some cases, symptoms may be immediate, while others appear after days or weeks. Since symptoms are often delayed, it is important to seek medical treatment immediately after your accident. Common symptoms and signs of a TBI include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
Remember, there is no such thing as a minor brain injury. Even mild TBIs like concussions can have lasting effects if left untreated. Any brain injury also puts you at risk of second impact syndrome, a deadly complication if there is a second concussion before the first has healed. That's why immediate diagnosis and treatment is so important.
TBI diagnosis and treatment
Doctors can use several tools to diagnose a TBI, including both cognitive and neurological testing. They may also order imaging tests such as a CT scan or MRI. After assessing your TBI, your doctor will recommend treatment options. A mild TBI may not require specific treatment other than rest and avoiding physical activities that could worsen symptoms. Medications such as pain medicines, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and anticoagulants may be needed to relieve some symptoms.
For more severe TBI cases, surgery may be necessary to address the injury. You may undergo surgery to relieve pressure or remove fluid from the brain due to swelling and bleeding. Likewise, if you have a skull fracture or penetrating injury, you may require surgery to repair the skull or remove foreign objects from the brain.
Protect your future. Get legal help for your TBI.
You deal with more than just physical damage when sustaining a traumatic brain injury. The effects of a TBI can be profound, from medical treatment to lost income to long-term disability. Coby L. Wooten, Attorney At Law, P.C. understands the toll a TBI can have on a person. That's why we take on concussion and TBI cases to give the injured in Fort Worth, Texas the legal representation they deserve.
Get a law firm that knows what it takes to win. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.