Traumatic brain injuries occur more often than you may think. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 1.7 million people receive brain injuries every year. Although 80% of brain injuries are mild, mild brain trauma can potentially cause long-term damage.
While slip and fall incidents and motor vehicle accidents are some of the most common contributors to brain injuries, it is helpful to understand brain trauma to minimize any damage if you should become the victim of an accident.
How do you get a brain injury?
Closed injuries occur when a forceful blow to jolt to the head damages the soft brain tissue that sits within the skull cavity. Since the brain sits suspended in a fluid within the cavity, an impact can cause it to bump into the side of the skull bone, causing brain bleeding, bruising and tearing. Brain tissue may start to inflame and swell, causing a pressure build-up in the skull cavity. This can lead to further damage.
What are the symptoms of brain trauma?
The signs of brain trauma are often difficult to identify, as they are often masked as symptoms of other illnesses. If you have been involved in a car accident or incident where you have hit your head, you should be on the lookout for these signs and seek immediate medical attention if they appear.
Signs of mild to moderate brain trauma include the following:
- Dizziness, confusion or trouble concentrating
- Disruption in sleep patterns
- Headaches
- Change in mood or behavior
- Blurred vision, trouble speaking or understanding language
More severe brain injuries include nausea and vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, repeated nausea and vomiting and weakness in the extremities.
Once diagnosed, the doctor will customize a treatment plan based on your symptoms. Keep in mind that the signs of a brain injury may differ depending on the damaged area of the brain.