The Long-Term Health Risks of Mild Brain Injuries: What Can You Do?
We often think of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) as something that happens exclusively to soldiers after concussive explosions or professional football players after years of blows to the head and body. But TBI is far more common, particularly TBI resulting from mild brain injuries. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBI is the leading cause of death and disability among kids and adults ages one to 44, with more than 2.5 TBIs happening each year.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can happen when the head or body receives a sharp jolt or blow, causing damage to the brain. A bullet or other shard passing through the brain can also cause TBI. Some of the leading causes of TBI include:
- Car crashes
- Falls
- Assaults
- Being hit by an object
Symptoms of Mild Brain Injury
A mild TBI is also often called a concussion. The symptoms of a mild brain injury can still be serious, causing physical, sensory, and mental or behavioral problems. Symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headaches
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Drowsiness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Change in ability to taste or smell
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Mood swings
- Memory or concentration issues
- Confusion or disorientation
- Sleeping issues
- Depression or anxiety
Long-Term Health Risks of Mild TBI
While more than 80% with a mild brain injury will recover quickly and completely, some people will experience long-term health effects. Ongoing symptoms can include:
- Memory loss
- Persistent headaches
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Balance issues
- Balance
- Concentration issues
- Judgment issues
- Reaction time
Treatment for Mild Brain Injury
The sooner you receive treatment for brain injury, the better the outcome. Most people will recover to normal or near-normal brain function with early assessment and treatment. Health care providers should educate patients on preventing future injuries and offer guidance for ways to minimize long-term damage, including:
- Rest, including 24 hours of mandatory rest after the injury
- Six to eight hours of sleep a night
- Staying hydrated
- Avoiding alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine
- Avoid activities that may increase physical contact or future injuries like contact sports and some military training
- Limit activities that require intense concentration
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Keep your body stretched and moving
If you’re facing a brain injury after a car accident or other accident, we may be able to help. Give the Madeksho Law Firm a call at 1-888-910-6376 or contact us online. Your first visit is free, and you won’t pay a fee unless we recover money on your behalf.
