The symptoms of traumatic brain injuries vary by patient
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are usually caused by outside forces and are fairly common problems among Americans. TBI-related deaths, emergency room visits and hospitalizations total around 2.8 million people each year. Interestingly, men, children and the elderly are approximately three times more likely to be affected by and die from brain injuries as women. Those 75 years of age or older faced the highest risk of death from a brain injury.
Outside forces leading to TBIs include foreign objects penetrating the skull or brain, the brain violently twisting or bouncing and bumps to the head. Any of these injuries have the potential to change your life almost instantaneously.
Not all TBIs are the same, nor are all patients, so it’s important to know the different symptoms to watch out for. Some TBIs are not apparent immediately after an accident, so you should monitor yourself or a loved one you suspect suffered from a TBI for several days or weeks following any serious strike to the head.
Moderate or severe TBIs often have symptoms such as a loss of consciousness or change in sleep patterns. Trouble with memory and attention is also a normal symptom. Further symptoms may include weakness, numbness, slurred speech, seizures and headaches that will not go away. By the time symptoms become apparent, most people will recognize the need for medical attention.
To better help yourself, always seek out medical treatment immediately following any kind of injury to the head. It could make the difference between catching a serious injury and trying to live with it while not understanding your symptoms.
Source: LIVE SCIENCE, “Traumatic Brain Injury: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment,” Alina Bradford, accessed April 24, 2018