Common Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

By Staff Writer

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be very difficult to recognize and diagnose because symptoms can be different for each person and show up at different times. Sometimes TBI symptoms begin to surface within hours of an accident, and other times it could take days or even weeks for a person to experience symptoms of TBI.

The causes of TBI can range from a wide array of things — such as a car accident or medical malpractice. Sports-related accidents are also a common culprit.

There are three different categories of TBI:

• Mild
• Moderate
• Severe

Below, we’ll briefly look at the common signs and symptoms of each.

Signs and Symptoms of Mild TBI

Mild TBI is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. A person who suffers from mild TBI has a brief period of disorientation, confusion or loss of consciousness.

The most common signs and symptoms of mild TBI are:

• Headaches
• Dizziness/loss of balance
• Memory loss
• Fatigue
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability
• Depression
• Mild seizures

Signs and Symptoms of Moderate TBI

Moderate TBI, on the other hand, causes lifelong effects and permanent neurological damage. A person who suffers from moderate TBI can be unconscious from a period of 20 minutes to up to 6 hours.

The most common signs and symptoms of moderate TBI are:

• Seizures
• Dizziness and confusion
• Memory loss
• Inability to focus
• Loss of sight or blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty controlling emotions and processing
• Incontinence and lack of bladder control
• Sleep problems
• Lethargy/lack of motivation

Signs and Symptoms of Severe TBI

Severe TBI also causes lifelong effects and neurological damage, but to a greater degree. A person suffering from severe TBI usually has to receive constant care and survive about 67% of the time. Severe TBI is categorized by a person being unconscious for more than 6 hours.

Common signs and symptoms of severe TBI include:

• Paralysis
• Seizures or convulsions
• Inability to speak, hear, see or smell
• Persistent headaches
• Repeat vomiting or nausea
• Chronic pain
• Fluid draining from ears and nose
• Coma

The sooner a person with a possible traumatic brain injury gets medical attention, the less severe the injury will likely be. If you or someone you know has had an accident involving a possible TBI, it’s important to see a doctor immediately.

If you have questions or concerns regarding legal claims seeking compensation for a head-related injury, contact the expert Tennessee personal injury lawyers at Gilreath & Associates. Recovering from a TBI takes a lot of time and energy. We can help you navigate your case and get you the compensation you need to pay for quality, long-term care.

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