One of the most difficult things about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is that there’s a number of different types of them. What’s worse, any head injury can eventually turn into a TBI under certain conditions.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), common types of TBIs include:
Again, every one of these TBIs can cause a range of symptoms. That said, there’s a set of common symptoms that are often present whenever there’s a TBI of any kind.
When diagnosed with a TBI, it's crucial to be completely honest about any factors that might have contributed to the injury. One of the most concerning aspects of TBIs is that their symptoms can have long-lasting effects, potentially worsening over time.
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), common types of TBIs include:
- Concussions - These happen when your brain gets a hard knock, causing temporary confusion, headaches, and sometimes memory problems. They're common in sports like football or soccer, but they can happen in everyday accidents too.
- Brain swelling (edemas) - This occurs when the brain swells up due to an injury. Swelling can put pressure on the brain, leading to headaches, nausea, and sometimes changes in behavior or thinking. It's essential to treat swelling promptly to prevent further damage.
- Blood clots in the brain (hematomas) - When blood pools and clots inside the brain after an injury, it's called a hematoma. This can cause symptoms like severe headaches, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness if the clot is large. Hematomas need medical attention to prevent complications.
- Brain hemorrhaging - This is when there's bleeding inside the brain, usually from a severe injury. It's a serious condition that can cause symptoms like sudden and severe headaches, vomiting, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Immediate medical care is crucial to stop the bleeding and prevent further damage.
- Skull fractures - When the bone around the brain breaks, it's called a skull fracture. This can happen from a strong impact to the head, like in a car accident or a fall. Symptoms can include pain, swelling, and sometimes bleeding from the ears or nose. Treatment depends on the severity of the fracture and any other injuries.
Again, every one of these TBIs can cause a range of symptoms. That said, there’s a set of common symptoms that are often present whenever there’s a TBI of any kind.
Common Symptoms With TBIs
Another challenge with TBIs is that each person experiences different symptoms because their bodies respond uniquely to the trauma and brain injury. According to the Mayo Clinic, TBI symptoms often include:- Dizziness
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Trouble sleeping
- Difficulty speaking clearly or finding words
- Mood changes
- Losing consciousness
- Emotional changes like depression
When diagnosed with a TBI, it's crucial to be completely honest about any factors that might have contributed to the injury. One of the most concerning aspects of TBIs is that their symptoms can have long-lasting effects, potentially worsening over time.