Understanding the symptoms of severe TBI

Traumatic brain injuries affect many people in Pennsylvania who have been involved in car accidents. Personal injury claims resulting from workplace accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, and sports accidents also frequently mention TBIs.

What is a TBI?

A TBI is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head. The blow to the head might occur when a person falls and hits his or her head or when he or she is struck in the head with an object. If the force of the blow is strong, the person’s brain hits the inside of the skull. This sudden jolt to the brain damages brain tissue and can cause internal bruising, bleeding, and swelling.

What are the symptoms of a mild TBI?

The good news is that not every TBI is severe. Even if a person blacked out for a few seconds, he or she may only have a mild TBI. Some of the symptoms of a mild TBI are:

  • Blurry vision
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Tinnitus
  • Nausea

What are the symptoms of severe TBI?

A severe TBI is characterized by long-lasting symptoms. A person may experience all of the usual symptoms of a mild TBI, but those symptoms will not go away after the first few days. There may also be a range of other symptoms, including:

  • Loss of vision
  • Seizures
  • Enlarged pupils
  • Extended loss of consciousness
  • Numbness

Many symptoms of a severe TBI take time to develop. This has to do with the way that the damaged part of the brain impacts the tissues around it. A person with a severe TBI could experience chronic cognitive problems, emotional issues, and sleep problems.

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury

Severe TBIs cause permanent damage to brain tissue. However, some people can recover much of their cognitive abilities when their brains learn to reroute signals around the damaged areas. Rehabilitation programs for severe TBIs include retraining in mobility, fine motor skills, and communication. These beneficial programs can be time consuming and costly, which is why many injured accident victims get the help of an attorney in order to pursue compensation for their medical expenses.