If you suffer a traumatic brain injury, the exact symptoms that you see may be unique to your situation. Two head injuries may look very similar from the outside, but there can be a significant difference in severity or the part of the brain that was injured. This can dramatically change the symptoms.
That being said, there are some common symptoms that tend to be seen by TBI survivors. It is important to know what to look for and how these can impact your life.
Short-term symptoms
In many cases, there are short-term symptoms, like a loss of consciousness, loss of vision, slurred speech, enlargement of the pupils or a numb or tingling feeling in the arms and legs. These can all signify that the brain has been injured, even if the symptoms fade relatively quickly.
Long-term symptoms
At the same time, people sometimes have symptoms that last much longer. They could struggle with vision issues, speech issues, the onset of convulsions and seizures, excessive fatigue or a lack of coordination. Many people become agitated, restless, confused or irritable, so the TBI can change their personality and the way they interact with others.
Symptoms that get worse
One key thing to look for is if you have any symptoms that will not go away or that are actually getting worse. For instance, some TBI survivors have a minor headache right after the accident, but if there is bleeding within the brain, this headache can get much more severe. It may indicate that emergency medical treatment is necessary.
If you have suffered such a severe injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be facing high medical bills, lost wages and other damages. You need to know how to seek financial compensation.