An injury to the brain that causes the destruction or degeneration of brain cells is known as traumatic brain injury. And traumatic brain injury symptoms may vary from mild to severe.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, approximately 2.6 million people in the United States suffer from brain injury each year due to trauma, stroke, tumor, or other disorders.
About 52,000 people die each year due to traumatic brain injury, and more than 5 million people in the United States require assistance to complete daily tasks.
This article briefly talks about TBI symptoms and treatment and answers the question of “what is TBI.”
What is TBI?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any injury to the brain that occurs suddenly. It occurs when a bump, blow, jolt, or other force causes damage to the brain, and it can happen due to a powerful or forceful blow to the head.
TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the injury.
Concussions are a type of TBI that is relatively mild. Mild versions generate just brief symptoms that fade away within a few days or weeks. With the most severe consequences, TBIs can result in lifelong brain damage, coma, or death.
Symptoms of TBI
Some traumatic brain injury symptoms appear right after the stressful incident, and some may not get noticed for days, if not weeks.
It’s typical to feel dizzy, queasy, or have a headache after a minor injury. Other minor signs and symptoms include:
- Ringing in your ears
- Neck pain
- Blurry vision
- Confusion
- Slow reflexes
- Brief loss of consciousness
After a few days or weeks, these minor symptoms typically disappear.
In addition to the above, moderate or severe TBIs might cause the following symptoms:
- Lasting nausea or vomiting
- Lasting headache
- Dilated (larger than normal) pupils
- Trouble waking up, walking, or speaking
- Slurred speech
- Drainage of blood from your ears or nose
- Seizures
TBIs of this nature are dangerous and can have long-term consequences.
If you’ve banged your head, get medical help right away. Make no delays in calling 911 or going to the emergency room if your symptoms are severe. If someone you know suffers a head injury and is acting strangely, call a doctor, the doctor might suggest you visit brain treatment center dallas or centers in other regions to run some tests.
How is a TBI diagnosed?
Your doctor will perform a neurological examination to elicit information from you regarding the injuries and symptoms. They will also put your physical and mental reflexes to the test.
Your doctor will use the exam to establish the severity of your brain injury. Other tests done by Southlake MRI & Diagnostic center or centers in other regions, such as an X-ray, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be required.
Photographs of your head and brain are taken throughout these exams. They can detect a skull fracture and bleeding, bruises, and blood clots in the brain.
Treatment of TBI
Traumatic brain damage is a medical emergency, and the nature, location, and degree of the injury influence the treatment.
If you have a minor injury, your therapy will primarily consist of rest. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help relieve headaches and neck pain. Any new or worsening symptoms should be thoroughly monitored at home. You are welcome to return to the doctor for a check-up.
Your doctor will begin by stabilizing your injury if you have moderate or severe damage. Getting oxygen to your brain and body, maintaining blood flow, and controlling blood pressure are all part of this process and these precautions aid in the prevention of additional harm.
You may need to get admitted to the hospital for medication or surgery. A surgeon can treat a fractured skull, stop brain bleeding, remove blood clots, and reduce pressure inside the skull. You may require surgery right away. Blood clots can take a long time to form, and surgery may be required days or weeks after the incident.
To Conclude:
Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term consequences. Physical, behavioral, linguistic, and/or mental issues might all be traumatic brain injury symptoms.
If your injury has left you with long-term problems, finding a support group may benefit you. Others who have had similar injuries can assist you to know about your injury’s challenges, give you coping skills, and provide emotional support. You can inquire with your doctor or rehabilitation therapist about local support groups. Find more information about traumatic brain injury at Advantage Medical Clinic.
