Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury is an interference to the brain’s function. It can be caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head, where the head violently hits an object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. 

The common causes of traumatic brain injury include falls (ladders, stairs, bathtubs), vehicular collisions (both for drivers and pedestrians), sports injuries (this includes several sports, not limited to football, soccer, boxing, skateboarding, and hockey), explosive blasts and other combat injuries, and other forms of violence like gunshot wounds, domestic violence, child abuse, and assault.

Groups most at risk for traumatic brain injury include small children, infants (sometimes involving birth injuries), young adults (particularly those between the age of fifteen and twenty-four), adults aged sixty and older, and males in all age groups. Children are especially prone if they live in an abusive home, with conditions like shaken baby syndrome being one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injury in children.

There are three types of traumatic brain injury: mild, moderate, and severe. In mild cases, there are several physical symptoms, including headaches, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, speech difficulties, dizziness and balance problems, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, taste issues, sensitivity to light or sound, and/or changes in the ability to smell. There are additional cognitive issues including loss of consciousness, confusion or disorientation, memory and concentration issues, mood changes, feelings of depression or anxiety, and problems with sleeping. 

There is some overlap in the physical and cognitive symptoms of moderate and severe cases of traumatic brain injury, only the symptoms are more severe. These include consciousness loss for several minutes to hours, persistent and worsening headaches, repeated vomiting and nausea, seizures, dilation of the pupils, fluid draining from the nose and ears, inability to wake from sleep, weakness in the extremities, coordination problems, confusion, unusual behavior like combativeness or agitation or self-control issues, slurred speech, and the chance of falling into a coma or another form of vegetative state.

If you are showing signs or symptoms of traumatic brain injury there are diagnostic options, as well as treatments. For diagnostic purposes, CT scans are your best option, though x-rays and MRIs can show evidence of TBI. For treatment there are surgical and non-surgical options. With mild cases of traumatic brain injury an individual can sometimes be treated with rest and over-the-counter pain medication to relieve the stress, though it is important that they be monitored closely for any developing or worsening symptoms, and to schedule follow-up appointments with a physician. For moderate to severe cases of traumatic brain injury it is important to seek emergency care immediately to have surgery performed.

There are several negligent acts associated with traumatic brain injury, and several are vehicle related. Reckless driving leading to automobile accidents, driving under the influence, and lack of seatbelt usage are notable associated acts. Also, not wearing a helmet during the appropriate athletic activities can leave you at risk of traumatic brain injury. There are also instances of medical neglect, as in cases where physicians fail to provide proper care or misdiagnose brain injuries, or the improper administration of anesthesia, or over prescribing medication that leads to neurological damage. Additionally, the workplace can put you at risk for traumatic brain injury. Every workplace has a duty of care and when that is breached (as with slips and falls, falling debris, or other workplace actions) then the employer has been negligent.