After hitting your head, you may deal with head trauma and brain injury. Unfortunately, brain injury – especially traumatic injury – can impact you in the long and short term.
But how do TBIs affect you, exactly? Is it worse in the long or short term? How long does it take for victims to recover? And is there anything you can do to help the process along?
TBI victims and disordered consciousness
As Mayo Clinic says, brain injuries can impact you on many levels. Physical, mental and behavioral signs often emerge after a head injury that leaves you with brain trauma. TBIs in particular often have strong symptoms with a quick onset.
For example, many TBI victims experience disordered consciousness almost immediately. This can include blacking out or even falling into a comatose state. Those who regain consciousness or maintain it often suffer from nausea, dizziness and migraines of increasing intensity. You can also sometimes tell if someone has a head injury if their pupils dilate unevenly. An extreme sign may involve clear fluid draining from the nose and ears.
Cognitive issues tied to brain injury
TBI victims tend to act in a strange manner, too. This is often tied to mental and cognitive problems arising from brain trauma. For example, TBI victims often lose short term memory. They cannot remember where they are, what happened or even who they are in some cases. This confusion can then lead to irritation, agitation and unpredictable behavior.
If you notice these signs, you should seek immediate medical attention. Only a medical professional can determine what the best course of action is for a brain injury, especially a traumatic one.