After suffering a recent personal injury to your head, you worry you sustained a traumatic brain injury. What signs should you look for to determine the severity of your injury?
Mayo Clinic breaks down the degrees of TBI and associated symptoms. Learn whether to seek medical attention to take care of yourself and build a personal injury case.
Mild TBI
Common physical indications of a mild brain injury include:
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Trouble speaking
Those with a mild TBI may also either have trouble falling asleep or sleep more than usual.
Some common sensory symptoms of a mild brain injury consist of sensitivity to sound or light. You may also experience blurred vision or changes in your sense of smell.
Moderate-to-severe TBI
Signs a person has a moderate-to-severe TBI include:
- Poor coordination
- Loss of consciousness that lasts several minutes or hours
- Seizures/convulsions
- Chronic headache or worsening headache
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Unable to wake up
A person may also become aggressive or irritable after sustaining a moderate-to-severe TBI.
Complications of a TBI
If you suspect you have a TBI, see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid complications. For instance, a person could fall into a coma or vegetative state because of a TBI. Brain injuries may also lead to an infection if bacteria infiltrate the brain through damaged protective layers surrounding the organ. TBIs may make it difficult for a person to process thoughts, concentrate or exercise sound judgment. Emotional shifts brought on by such injuries include anxiety, depression, lack of empathy and mood swings.