TBIs: causes, symptoms and treatment

Some people in Missouri might wonder what causes a traumatic brain injury and how it is treated. A TBI happens because of a blow to the head or because the head is jolted in a way that shakes the brain inside the skull. People often get TBIs from falls, motor vehicle accidents, playing contact sports or combat injuries.

The consequences of a TBI may be temporary or permanent as well as mild or severe. In the worst cases, a TBI can lead to a vegetative state or death. In its milder form, a TBI might cause a person to briefly lose consciousness or become confused. People may develop headaches, dizziness, memory problems, mood swings, ringing in their ears and blurry vision among other symptoms. Moderate and serious cases of TBI may mean losing consciousness for hours, worsening headaches, seizures and vomiting. Some symptoms may not appear until days after the accident. Over the long term, a TBI can lead to problems speaking, reading and understanding social cues.

Medication, surgery or drug-induced comas are all ways to treat traumatic brain injury. A recovering victim may need to work with a number of specialists including a neuropsychiatrist, social worker and physical therapist.

If another party is responsible for a personal injury like a TBI, then the injured person may take legal action. For example, if the person was injured in a motor vehicle accident because of the negligent actions of another driver, the victim may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit. TBIs may require long-term or lifelong care, and the expense can be high. Compensation from a civil suit may help pay those expenses.