What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

When you get injured due to someone else’s negligence, the physical damage may affect different parts of the body, but what happens when you suffer a brain injury? This type of problem can have far-reaching effects on your health and daily activities, and the symptoms may differ in how they affect your mind and body.

The Mayo Clinic notes that a traumatic brain injury may cause both physical and mental harm, and understanding the signs and symptoms could help you seek treatment sooner after an accident caused by negligence.

About Traumatic Brain Injuries

A TBI may happen in a number of ways, and one of the most common is a sudden and forceful strike to the head. This injury may affect the back of the head, such as in a slip-and-fall incident, or to the frontal lobe of the brain as the result of a car accident. No matter how the injury occurs, it can cause serious problems, including:

• Bleeding in the brain

• Bruising of the brain tissue

• Tearing and damage of nerves in the brain

Any of these injuries can affect how your brain functions, and symptoms may occur shortly after an accident or days and even weeks afterward.

TBI Symptoms

You may feel a variety of different symptoms after suffering a traumatic brain injury that extend beyond the physical. While blurred vision and loss of balance are common, you may also experience sudden tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, changes in taste and smell and sudden mood swings. It is important to seek treatment right away if any of these symptoms occur, as brain bleeding can lead to severe cognitive damage.

A TBI may lead to prolonged unconsciousness or permanent brain damage. Early detection may minimize this risk.