Your concussion can be life-changing, so get the support you need

You were enjoying a drive to get out of the house when you were suddenly hit by a driver who moved into your lane unexpectedly. Your vehicle was pushed off the road, and you ended up rolling over.

The crash could have been worse, but you were still left with serious injuries. Among them was an acute concussion, which has left you hospitalized and under close monitoring.

When you have a concussion, there could be wide-ranging effects both physically and psychologically. The chemicals in your brain may become unbalanced and you could have physical and psychological symptoms as a result. Additionally, as your brain swells or doesn’t receive enough oxygen, your brain cells may die. This could lead to severe, life-altering brain damage.

What are some of the common symptoms after a brain injury?

Some common symptoms include:

  • Mood changes and mood swings
  • Feeling anxious or depressed
  • Feeling nauseated or vomiting
  • Having trouble with speech
  • Sleeping more than normal
  • Feeling dizzy or unbalanced

Since your case is severe, some additional symptoms that you may have include:

  • Seizures
  • Convulsions
  • Persistent or worsening headaches
  • Trouble with coordination
  • The inability to wake up from sleep
  • Slurred speech
  • Agitation
  • Confusion

These symptoms may worsen as the brain swells, but once inflammation decreases and the brain is receiving normal blood flow, you should start to see some improvements.

At the hospital, the goal of your medical team is to make sure that your head injury’s impact is minimized. You may be taken to surgery to release the pressure on your brain manually. You could also be given medications to reduce blood pressure or to limit the risk of further swelling. The overarching goal is to prevent any further brain cell loss or brain death, since it is irreversible.

The days, weeks and months ahead could be very different for you. You may need to go through surgery, physical therapy, occupational therapy or other treatments to help you recover the abilities that you lost because of this injury. It is important that you have the opportunity to rest, heal and focus on your recovery, which is why those who suffer from injuries in a car crash should consider making a claim for financial support.

Medical costs are high, and your injury is severe. Brain injuries can have a lasting impact on your life physically, emotionally and financially, so it’s a smart choice to look into your insurance claim.