Traumatic Brain Injury aka TBI is basically an unexpected injury to the brain caused by any kind of severe blow, pressure as well as a jolt to the head. It can cause mild injuries to fatal ones depending upon the location of the blow. It is also one of the most common causes of permanent disability and death around the world. The worst part of TBI is that sometimes it does not show symptoms at the time of accident rather the symptoms come at later dates till when the damage is already done. Therefore in case of an accident where the head is involved should be taken care of at the very same moment.
Rushing to a 24-hour emergency room in Houston or the nearest hospital is the best first aid one can give to the patient. While mild injuries affect temporarily, severe ones can result in internal bleeding, bruising, and torn tissues in the brain. You should not neglect any damages to the brain as they can end in sudden death or long-term complications in terms of health.
Possible Causes of Traumatic Injury in Brain
Our elders always say, “Take precautions, as you never know when something can happen.” Similarly, there can be several causes for Traumatic brain Injury in one’s day to day life.
The degree of damage depends on the severity of the abrasion, and any of the following can cause it:
- Road Accidents
Vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries. Accidents take up lives of around 30% of people in the United States because of head injuries. It can include both open head and closed head injury as well as can be equally severe, causing early death or permanent damage to the brain. If you or your loved ones get involved in such accidents, visit the nearest emergency clinic in Houston TX immediately, don’t delay in panic.
- Sports Injury
Brain injuries can also happen while playing contact sports as they include rough sports activities. Partaking in various sports can be a cause of such mishaps, including baseball, Lacrosse, Skateboarding, boxing, and soccer. Sports-related injuries are sudden incidents that can be extremely dangerous for a person’s life and cause permanent and temporary disabilities due to brain injury.
- Violence
Child abuse, domestic violence, gunshots, and other assaults with a person can be a cause of traumatic brain injuries as well. People who experience violence can also go into depression and panic attacks. If it happens with infants, then it can also cause shaken body syndrome among other fatal aftereffects like seizures and what not.
- Combat Injury or Explosive Blasts
Blasts and combat injury can be a cause of trauma. Inactive duty personnel, it is the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Furthermore, too much noise or pressure from blasts can permanently disrupt brain function.
- Falls Injury
Most injuries that cause brain damage are a result of falls from the ladder, bed, and bathroom that can cause deterioration of the brain cells. When the brain cells destroy, it can trigger strokes, coma, or trauma.
Types of Brain Injuries:
- Cerebral Contusion
When your head gets hit during an accident, blood vessels burst inside the brain, causing bruises. These bruises are known as a cerebral contusion. Besides, contusions are results of bleeding in the brain due to localized trauma.
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can disrupt brain functions. It can be caused by a violent blow to your upper body, neck, or head. It is generally a mild injury in head that can cause loss of consciousness for a short period and usually doesn’t have any permanent damage to the brain.
- Hematoma
When a blood vessel ruptures, the blood clot which forms inside the head is commonly known as a hematoma. The blood that comes out due to the rupture becomes thick and starts making a clot that might become large with time and can compress the brain. Different people experience different symptoms with hematoma, depending upon the severity of the injury.
- Hemorrhage
When your head gets hit with a great force, sometimes it starts bleeding. At times, the blood goes inside into the spaces surrounding the brain, causing Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage. Usually, the area around the brain is filled with a fluid named cerebrospinal, which protects the brain. However, arteries can get injured due to the incident. When small arteries around the brain tear due to injury, it causes hemorrhage.
Symptoms:
Depending on the location and severity of the injury, the symptoms can vary from person to person.
- Mild Injury Symptoms may include
- Vomiting or Nausea
- Headache that persists for more than one week.
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Sleeping for longer hours than usual
- Loss of balance or feeling dizzy
- Sensitivity to sound and light.
- State of being confused, dazed or disoriented.
- Loss of consciousness for more than a few minutes
- Moderate to Severe brain injury symptoms:
- Repeated Seizures
- Numbness or weakness in fingers.
- Loss of coordination
- Slurred speech
- Clear fluids draining from ears and nose
The Bottom Line
Traumatic Brain injury is a severe problem that should not be neglected. You must consult a doctor at urgent care near 77070 or any other emergency room near you in such cases. If you experience any signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury after a recent head injury, seek immediate medical attention.
Emergency in Houston?
Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is equipped to handle life threatening conditions quickly. Your emergency or concern is our priority! Life Savers 24 Hour Emergency Room is your Houston ER for immediate definite care. Do not hesitate to call us today or stop by one of our houston emergency room locations: Willowbrook ER, Heights ER, or Summerwood ER.