How Do You Recognize Traumatic Brain Injury After a Car Accident?
Traumatic Brain Injury, also known as TBI, is an insidious and debilitating injury.
Unlike visibly apparent injuries which typically affect the physical nature of a person’s
abilities, TBI affects the very things that define a person and make them who they are- From how they smile and talk, to how they walk and run and think. The particular symptoms and effects of a brain injury vary from person to person. While a patient in one case may suffer from the effects of TBI immediately, others may not experience the first symptoms until weeks, maybe months, after surgery and supposed recovery.
Brain damage in and of itself is not the easiest of injuries to discover, not to mention the fact that it can be difficult to ascertain what type of brain injury has occurred, and which of the categories of brain injury such damage falls under – a mild injury or a serious injury. If loss of consciousness occurs, and lasts less than 30 minutes, the category is usually classified as mild.
Everything from headaches to mood swings, general frustration to lack of focus are all potential ramifications of a mild TBI. Despite the fact that initial diagnoses with medical equipment often state that the patient’s brain activity is “normal,” subsequent tests can reveal noticeable cognitive impairment. If a patient shows signs of loss of consciousness after 30 minutes post-injury, or 24 hours after surgery, then the injury is classified as a serious TBI. Serious case TBIs exhibit severe impairment of higher level cognitive functions. A comatose state is an even more serious symptom of serious TBIs. A serious TBI can inhibit full use of arms, legs, thinking, emotion, speech and more. TBIs, whether mild or serious, will change a person’s life in ways big and small. Knowing how to not only cope with those changes, but pragmatically handle them is imperative towards continuing to live a fulfilling life.
With regard to treatment of TBI, the nature of the injury, and the individual reaction of the patient to the injury requires a case by case approach towards healing. However, a general process of healing typically involves an initial treatment which is used to stabilize an individual after the shock of the trauma, as close to the time of injury as possible.
In order to get a patient back to the tasks of daily life, a rehabilitative course is set for
treatment after the initial treatment. If life support is necessary, or if a secondary injury has resulted from the initial TBI, then the appropriate acute treatment is applied. To address any secondary injuries and prevent them from curtailing oxygen and blood flow to the brain, surgical treatment may be needed.
Because a TBI is such a terrible, life-altering experience, it is important to take the
necessary steps to prevent a TBI from happening. One of the primary causes of TBIs are vehicular accidents involving cars, motorcycles and more. Safe driving is key. You can reduce the risk of you, or someone you know, suffering TBI by following some of the following simple steps:
-always wear a seatbelt
- if riding a motorcycle, always wear a helmet.
- Never drink and drive, or use drugs and drive
- Make sure you have the appropriate children’s safety seats for a motor
vehicle, and ensure they are used properly.
Follow these preventative methods, and enjoyment and use of your motor vehicle will be less susceptible to the horror of TBI. However, should something unfortunately happen, you can always click on this link to be directed to one of the best personal injury law firms and family law firms in the state.
