What Are Common Signs Of Brain Injury?

Many accidents can cause brain injury, including auto accidents, truck accidents, falls, and medical malpractice. Learn about the common signs of brain injury in this article. If you were injured in an accident recently because of someone’s negligence, please contact our Rockford brain injury attorney today.

What Is A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A TBI is an injury to the brain that usually results from a jolt or blow to the body or head.

A penetrating head injury, or open head injury, is a head injury in which the dura mater, the outer layer of the meninges, is breached. A penetrating head injury can be caused by high-velocity projectiles or objects of lower velocity such as knives, or bone fragments from a skull fracture that are driven into the brain. Head injuries caused by penetrating trauma are serious medical emergencies and may cause permanent disability or death.

A penetrating head injury involves “a wound in which an object breaches the cranium but does not exit it.” In contrast, a perforating head injury is a wound in which the object passes through the head and leaves an exit wound.

There are many degrees of brain injury, such as mild brain injury, including many concussions. More severe brain injuries can lead to brain bruising, bleeding, and other physical harm.

What Are The Signs Of A Mild Brain Injury?

The symptoms of a TBI depend on how severe the injury is. For example, a mild TBI may have these symptoms:

• Momentary loss of consciousness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Ears ringing
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Altered sleep patterns
• Mood changes
• Difficulty with memory or concentration
• Headache

You could have any of the symptoms above if you have a moderate or severe brain injury. You also could have these signs:

• A persistent headache that worsens
• Seizures or convulsions
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slurred speech
• Abnormal pupil dilation
• Being unable to wake from sleep
• Coordination loss
• Weakness or numbness in your legs or arms
• Agitation, confusion, and restlessness

How Do You Recover From A Brain Injury?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to recover from a brain injury, but the following tips are often helpful. Remember, you should always be checked by a medical professional after an accident, especially if you think you have a brain injury:

Rest For 24-72 Hours

After a brain injury, there is a lot of activity in the brain. Forces that enter the brain could cause the tissue to swell. The shock may slow electrical currents, and change blood flow and chemistry. The skull does not expand when there is brain swelling, so it is vital to rest to lower the risk of additional injury. You also should take a cognitive break in this period, avoiding cell phones and computer screens, reducing work and school stress, and eliminating reading and heavy thinking as much as possible.

Restart Daily Activities When Symptoms Ease

After resting for at least one to three days, you can reintroduce normal activities with a doctor’s recommendation or approval. But watch for brain injury symptoms that could recur as you return to daily life. For instance, you can try to read for 15 minutes. If you notice a headache or dizziness, take a 30-minute break to see if your brain injury symptoms fade. Other ways to carefully reintroduce daily activities are:

• Working remotely
• Taking more time on tests and assignments
• Wearing sunglasses outside
• Turning off lights in the home
• Reducing screen time

You should always accompany a return to daily activities with doctor visits to ensure you are not pushing yourself too hard. Your doctor will monitor your symptoms and determine the best way to get over your brain injury.

Speak To Our Rockford Brain Injury Attorney

If you suffered a brain injury because of someone’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and lost earnings. Please contact our Rockford brain injury attorney at Fisk & Monteleone Ltd. at (815) 962-0044 for legal assistance.