According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. That “external mechanical force” usually takes the form of a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, although it can also be an object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull.
The condition encompasses a broad range of severity, from a relatively mild form that can cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells, to traumatic brain injury that can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that may lead to long-term complications or death.
Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.
The Mayo Clinic says the signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Headache
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
The signs and symptoms of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include any of the previously mentioned symptoms, as well as:
- Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours
- Profound confusion
- Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Loss of coordination
- Persistent headache or headache that worsens
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury, check with Lopez McHugh for a free consultation to see what your legal options are.
See more information about traumatic brain injury here:
https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/traumatic-brain-injury/DS00552
