Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are very serious but, after an accident, it’s not always easy to tell if someone has suffered one. It’s important that you are aware of common TBI signs and symptoms so that you can seek immediate medical attention if you believe you or someone you love has a brain injury. Read on to learn more about types of traumatic brain injuries and their symptoms.

Types of TBIs

Generally speaking, traumatic brain injuries generally into two categories: open-head injuries and closed-head injuries. Open-head injuries, or penetrating injuries, are more obvious but also rarer. An open-head injury occurs when an outside object or force penetrates the skull and touches or pierces the brain. These are incredibly devastating injuries, often resulting in severe brain trauma, coma, and/or death.

In contrast, closed-head injuries occur when there is no penetrating force, but the brain is damaged due to outside factors. These factors can include a sudden blow or impact to the head, oxygen deprivation, the head making contact with the ground or an object, whiplash, and more.

Examples of closed-head brain injuries include:

• Concussion
• Coup-contrecoup
• Diffuse axonal injuries
• Second-impact syndrome
• Subdermal hematoma
• Brain contusion

Closed-head injuries are obviously much more difficult to detect—yet their effects can be just as catastrophic as those caused by penetrating injuries.

Physical Symptoms of a TBI

Depending on the nature and severity of the injury, the victim may exhibit any of the following physical signs:

• Headache/worsening headache
• Disorientation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness or insomnia
• Difficulty speaking/slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Weakness in the extremities
• Dilation of pupils
• Coordination problems
• Fluid draining from nose/ears
• Sensory issues, such as light sensitivity, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, etc.

Cognitive Symptoms of a TBI

Brain injuries often affect victims’ mental functioning, as well as their behavior and, sometimes, their personality. Cognitive symptoms of moderate to severe TBIs include:

• Inability to remember the accident/event
• General memory loss
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty concentrating
• Confusion
• Changes in mood/behavior
• Irritability
• Agitation
• Loss of consciousness for minutes to hours
• Coma

TBI Symptoms in Children

It may be more difficult to detect traumatic brain injuries in children, as they are unable to clearly express their physical and cognitive symptoms. For this reason, it’s extremely important that you keep an eye out for TBI symptoms in your child if you suspect that he or she has suffered head trauma of any kind.

Some of the common signs of a traumatic brain injury in children include:

• Inconsolable/persistent crying
• Changes in sleeping patterns
• Increased drowsiness
• Changes in nursing/eating habits
• Unusual mood/behavior changes, such as increased irritability
• Apparent depressed mood (loss of interest in toys, activities, etc.)
• Attention issues
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness

What to Do If You or a Loved One Suffers a TBI

The most important thing you can do if you notice signs of a TBI in yourself, your child, or another family member or loved one is to seek immediate attention from a qualified medical professional. Go to urgent care or the emergency room for treatment right away. Remember, even concussions can have lasting consequences; more severe brain injuries will almost assuredly have long-term effects without proper treatment.

If you or your loved one suffered a TBI in an accident caused by someone else’s careless or wrongful actions, such as in a car accident or work-related injury, we encourage you to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you seek fair financial compensation. Traumatic brain injury treatment is often extensive and very costly. You should not have to face the financial burdens associated with your injury—not to mention the physical and emotional consequences of the injury—on your own.

Our Houston traumatic brain injury lawyers can assist you with your claim. Contact Daspit Law Firm today to request a consultation.