With any type of head injury you must be concerned about the possibility of further damage to the head and brain. With any type of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury there is always the possibility of more serious damage. That is why it is so important to have it completely checked out by a qualified medical practitioner.
One of the most common cause of a MTBI (a technical term) is caused in car collisions. It often happens in motor vehicle accidents, but also can happen when riding a bike, getting hit by a vehicle when a pedestrian, motorcycle crashes, tripping and falling, being hit by an object, and other causes – that simply cause your head to “whip” back and forth or get hit by an object. Even if there is no physical evidence of a head injury like a cut or bruise, there still is the possibility of damage that can not be seen.
The most common injury from a blow to the head is a concussion. The American Academy of Neurology has classified concussions with three grades.
- A grade I concussion is one in which the symptoms last less than 15 minutes and there has been no loss of consciousness.
- A grade II concussion is when the symptoms last longer than 15 minutes and there has been no loss of consciousness.
- A grade III concussion is a loss of consciousness.
With any of these you need to have your injury evaluated by a professional. Most concussions can be treated successfully and the patient can return to normal activities on a gradual basis.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
There are some very typical symptoms of a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) and concussion that you should be aware of especially if you or a member of your family has experienced a head trauma. Symptoms may often not show up for days or sometimes even weeks. Sometimes symptoms may last only minutes while occasionally these symptoms may last for weeks. That is why it is important to know these symptoms.
The common symptoms include, blurred vision, double vision, confusion, loss of memory, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, balance related problems, sensitivity to light and noise, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, and any change in personality or behavior. These are symptoms that you should have checked out immediately.
Remember, these symptoms won’t necessarily occur at the time of head trauma or even shortly after. There may be delay and that is why it is so important if you notice some or all of these symptoms (with yourself or someone else) any time after a car accident or any traumatic event for you or the injured person to see a doctor.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
Most of the time concussions are treated with rest and a gradual return to normal activities. If further damage to the brain and head are suggested the patient will most likely receive a MRI or CT scan to detect further problems. These scans will provide better information for an improved diagnosis of the nature of the injury. If your injury was the result of an accident involving other people it is often wise to check with a mild traumatic brain injury lawyer to ensure your rights are protected with regards to your medical care. Remember that head injuries are sometimes difficult to diagnose and can have lasting consequences to your good heath. Treatment can also take a long time and can be expensive.
Learn to protect yourself from head injury by taking preventive steps during outdoor activities, sporting activities, and while in a vehicle. Wear a helmet with contact sports, riding a bike or using sporting vehicles and always buckle up in the car. Take precautions to protect your head from injury.
More mild traumatic brain injury information
