Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a kind of invisible injury that people often don’t recognize immediately after they suffer significant trauma. In fact, it is not uncommon for those with a significant TBI to go days or even weeks before presenting noteworthy symptoms.
Especially in cases where people decline an immediate medical examination after a car accident or a fall, it may become necessary to monitor them for the symptoms of a brain injury, which could be getting worse as more time passes. Without proper monitoring, someone with an accident-related TBI may not get the care they need and could wind up dealing with a worse prognosis as a result.
A TBI can impact your career and ability to care for yourself
Your brain is essentially the computer that runs your entire body, and it is an intricate organ with little protection beyond the skull. The skull itself can be a source of injury in situations where someone gets shaken or tossed around, as it leaves little room for blood or swollen tissue.
Even minor damage to the brain could cause significant issues, all of which will vary depending on the location of the injury, the severity of the injury and the unique neurology of the individual with the TBI. Some people struggle to return to work or school, while others have symptoms so severe that they require help in caring for themselves.
Brain injury symptoms exist on a broad spectrum
One of the more common kinds of TBI symptoms people experience include sensory symptoms. People may notice a ringing sound in their ears or struggle with blurry vision. Olfactory issues, including a decreased or heightened sense of smell or even olfactory hallucinations, where someone smells something that isn’t there, are also possible.
People may experience changes in their mood or personality, as well as issues with cognitive function, memory and even motor function. Everything from someone’s manual strength to their balance can become impacted by a brain injury. Other common symptoms include nausea, headaches and issues with sleep ranging from difficulty falling asleep to sleeping far more than usual.
A medical evaluation soon after a crash is usually ideal, but if one does not occur or if doctors want to wait to see if symptoms present, watching for these symptoms and any other unexplained changes in someone with a possible TBI can help you know when more testing and possibly treatment are necessary.