Kentucky Accident Blog

Traumatic Brain Injury

There are a few different names for traumatic brain injury; it can also be called acquired brain injury or just a head injury.  The cause of these injuries to the brain is a sudden trauma which causes damage to the brain.  This can happen when the head is suddenly hit with force, like in an auto accident, or when an object damages the brain tissue by piercing the skull. When in a rear end automobile accident the motion that propels the head can cause the brain to come into contact with the inside of the skull and cause a mild close head injury. 

The symptoms of traumatic brain injury can range form mild to severe. A person who is experiencing a mild case of traumatic brain injury may lose conscious for a few seconds or even minutes.  Other symptoms may include headaches, confusion, dizziness, vision problems, fatigue, ringing in the ears, changes in sleep patterns, memory and attention issues.  These same symptoms can also be seen in a person with more moderate and severe brain injuries but may also have nausea, convulsions, not having the ability to wake up, slurred speech, dilated pupils, and numbness in arms or legs.  There are many other symptoms. If you think you may be experiencing any of these symptoms it is very important to get it checked out by a physician.

If there is a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury the treatments will vary depending on the severity of the injury.  There may not be a lot that can be done to reverse the brain injury caused by a traumatic event.  What medical personnel will do is try to stabilize the patient to prevent further injury.  They will make sure there is enough oxygen getting to the brain as well as insuring adequate blood flow throughout the body. X-rays will also be administered to check for fractures and spinal issues and for more severe instances a computed tomography (CT) scan will be administered.   Treatment is highly individualized and will be based on the needs of the patient.  These may include physical rehabilitation, therapy for speech, occupational therapy as well as psychiatry and various social supports.

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