Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a broad term used to describe nerve or tissue damage occurring in the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury is a widespread condition and does not discriminate on age or health. It has the ability to affect anyone at any given time and in some cases, the result is fatal.
Types of TBI
Brain injuries are commonly due to physical head trauma as in car accidents, falls, or gun shots. Physical violence, sports accidents, and penetration to the skull also contribute to brain injuries. A severe form of TBI affects 1,200 to 1,400 babies each year in form of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). The force from the brain slamming into the walls of the skull stresses nerve cells and once broken, kills even more nerve cells leading to brain damage.
Acquired brain injuries result from lack of oxygen to the brain (hypoxia), toxic chemicals, health conditions, and diseases. Toxic chemical TBI is concentrated exposure to harmful poisons from insecticides, lead, carbon monoxide, and solvents. Patients prone to seizures, strokes, and aneurysms have an increased chance of brain injury with every attack. Certain infections like meningitis, venereal diseases, AIDS, and contact with diseased animals and insects can poison the blood system and interrupt brain function.
Symptoms
With various ways to develop a brain injury, it’s important to recognize the symptoms and receive immediate medical treatment. With a mild traumatic brain injury the individual loses consciousness or experiences disorientation. Headaches, memory loss, altered emotional states, and difficulty sleeping are also signs.
Severe TBI symptoms indicate that the injury is at an advanced stage. The injured will endure paralysis, slurred speech, convulsions, pupil dilation, and clear fluids draining from the face. You should contact a trusted physician immediately for diagnosis and treatment.
Children with brain injuries will have additional symptoms. A child may exhibit changes in eating habits, mood swings, chronic crying, disruptive sleep patterns, and loss of interest.
Living productively after a traumatic brain injury is possible. The key is to detect the symptoms early and receive immediate medical treatment. Knowledge of TBI can ultimately save you or a loved one’s life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain injury because of the negligence of another, the attorneys at Parker McDonald are available to represent you. We will assess your claim and determine the best course of action.
If you need additional information on traumatic brain injury, you may wish to learn more about the process of a personal injury claim.
