Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident
Car accidents can sometimes cause injuries that aren’t immediately visible to the eyes. Brain injuries can be particularly dangerous, since the symptoms may not be immediately recognizable. So what are traumatic brain injury symptoms, and how can they be treated?
At Car Wreck Doctor, we can help you the receive quality care you need and get you on the road to recovery. To learn more, speak to a brain injury doctor today.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an umbrella term that covers everything from “minor” concussions to severe life-changing brain damage. Someone who’s suffered a brain injury during a car accident may not know if the damage will be permanent or not or if they’ll ever be able to go back to the lives they led before. Even in the most minor of cases, TBI can cause unpleasant side effects and severely reduce an injured person’s quality of life.
That’s why it’s important to seek medical help as early on in the process as possible. This is especially true for injuries to the head or brain. Although it’s rare, symptoms of a concussion may not become apparent for days after the accident. During that time, you are at increased risk of making the problem worse and potentially developing lifelong and life-threatening complications.
A brain injury doctor can help you determine the extent of your injuries and ensure that potential complications are resolved before they cause permanent damage.
What Are Symptoms of a Brain Injury?
When your head snaps violently from one position to another, it can result in both a concussion and whiplash. A concussion occurs when your brain strikes up against the side of your skull. This leads to swelling which can later cause other serious symptoms. However, some of the symptoms of whiplash might be the same as symptoms of TBI. To ensure that you’re getting the correct diagnosis treatment, it’s therefore vital that you speak to a brain injury doctor.
Symptoms of TBI include:
- Headaches,
- Blurred vision,
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Mood disturbances,
- Sensitivity to light and sound,
- Mental fog or bleariness,
- Anxiety and panic,
- Memory problems, and
- Personality changes.
With TBI, you may begin to experience cognitive problems or emotional problems. In some cases, it may not even be apparent that you have a concussion or TBI. Getting medical help as soon as possible is crucial to avoiding serious or life-altering complications later.
Treating Traumatic Brain Injury
At Car Wreck Doctor, we are committed to getting you into treatment as early as possible. If you have suffered a concussion, a second concussion suffered before the brain has had a chance to fully heal can cause the cerebral edema and brain herniation. In extreme cases, this can result in respiratory failure and death.
When you come into our office, we will run a neurological exam related to your hearing, vision, sensation, balance, coordination, and reflexes. We will also run cognitive tests aimed at determining if there are any memory, concentration, or short-term recall problems. We may run a CT-scan or an MRI to determine the extent of the swelling.
Treatment generally involves rest and not engaging in any physically or mentally strenuous activities. With a concussion, there is a better than average chance that you will miss time from work. For those who are experiencing headaches, NSAIDs can reduce the pain related to the concussion. But give yourself time to rest and heal completely before engaging in any strenuous activity.
Contact a Brain Injury Doctor
Even if you’re not experiencing traumatic brain injury symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor immediately after a car accident. Some concussion-like symptoms may resolve with time, but others can affect you for the rest of your life. Early diagnosis and treatment can increase your chances of a successful recovery. Speak to a brain injury doctor at Car Wreck Doctor today.