How to identify traumatic brain injury symptoms after an accident
Being involved in a motor vehicle accident or hitting your head in a different type of incident can cause short- and long-term consequences.
Suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be scary to deal with, but the key is to treat it as soon as possible. Paying attention to the cues your body provides you will give a better chance to restore your health.
Brain injury symptoms
After taking a blow to the head in any situation — a car crash, at work, a violent act against you, etc. — immediate medical attention is necessary. Even when accident victims don’t lose consciousness or spot any external signs of trauma to the head, it’s still possible that they are suffering from a brain injury.
Here are some typical signs of a brain injury:
- Slurring speech
- Facing fatigue
- Feeling numbness or weakness
- Experiencing vision loss
- Suffering a headache, dizziness or nausea
A whirlwind of emotions can interfere with one’s ability to notice these signs. So, not only is an initial visit to a doctor essential, but continuing to follow up with symptoms that may take a few hours or days to kick in is important too.
Irreversible damage
According to Mayo Clinic, timely care is crucial because brain injuries can progress quickly and lead to brain damage that can’t be corrected. In severe cases, internal bleeding and limited oxygen to the brain can take place. So, going to the emergency room will be the best course of action.
On the other hand, mild injuries might only require at-home care. But following a doctor’s orders when it comes to resting up at home is imperative. This is because limiting physical and cognitive activities might be essential to prevent one’s condition from worsening.