Traumatic Brain Injury Long-Term Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment Infographic

Traumatic brain injuries impact the lives of thousands of people every year in New Jersey and across the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), brain injuries sent more than 223,000 people nationwide to the hospital in one recent year. Because of this risk, it’s important to be familiar with the long-term effects, symptoms, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injury Long-Term Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment

Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, some potential long-term effects of TBIs include:

  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty with problem-solving
  • Impaired judgment
  • Shortened attention span
  • Losing your sense of space and time
  • Paralysis or other problems with movement and coordination
  • Tremors
  • Changes in your sense of hearing, taste, vision, smell, and touch
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding what others are saying
  • Difficulty reading or writing
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Loss of inhibitions
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Problems controlling your behavior
  • Seizures
  • Coma

Common Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury often vary depending on the severity/the type of brain injury you are facing.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some common symptoms of a minor traumatic brain injury are:

  • Vertigo or dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Increased feelings of fatigue or drowsiness
  • Difficulty talking
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Changes in your sense of taste or smell
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Feeling confused, disoriented, or dizzy
  • Memory problems
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Sleeping more than usual or insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Depression and anxiety

If you have a moderate to severe TBI, the symptoms may include:

  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Repetitive vomiting
  • Intense, persistent headaches
  • Clear fluid draining from your nose or ears
  • Dilated pupils in one or both eyes
  • Weakness or numbness in your toes and fingers
  • Strong feelings of confusion
  • Losing consciousness for several minutes or longer
  • Poor coordination when moving
  • Slurred speech
  • Feeling combative, agitated, or other unusual mood swings
  • Coma

How Are Traumatic Brain Injuries Treated?

Treating a traumatic brain injury is often a significant challenge. Sometimes, the best option is to help a patient stay comfortable and adjust to their new life.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some options for traumatic brain injury treatment include:

  • Rest — You should take a day or two to rest, no matter how severe your TBI is. But some patients may need to rest for longer before returning to work and hobbies.
  • Therapy — Physical, speech, and occupational therapy can all be helpful rehabilitation tools to improve TBI symptoms. Check out our TBI center interactive map to find a rehab facility near you.
  • Surgery — Some patients may need surgery to reduce brain swelling or repair internal bleeding within the brain.
  • Counseling — Brain injuries often come with severe emotional changes. Some patients find counseling helps with their emotional needs while recovering.
  • Ongoing Care — Sometimes, with the most serious traumatic brain injuries, the patient requires 24/7 ongoing care that create exorbitant costs.

Talk to an Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in New Jersey Today

After suffering a TBI, you are likely facing costly medical bills, missed time at work, and severe physical and emotional symptoms. If someone else’s negligence caused your traumatic brain injury, you may be owed compensation for these losses. To learn more, contact the New Jersey brain injury lawyers at Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C. today for a free consultation.