A forceful hit or jolt to the head or body is typically what causes traumatic brain injury (also known as TBI, for short). A traumatic brain injury can also be caused by an object that passes through brain tissue, such as a bullet or a piece of skull that has been fractured.
Your brain cells could be momentarily affected if you have a mild traumatic brain injury. A more severe form of traumatic brain injury can cause the brain to bleed, bruise, or even be torn apart, in addition to causing other types of physical damage. These wounds can lead to long-term problems or even death in extreme cases.
Always make an appointment with your primary care physician if you or your child has sustained a hit to the head or body that causes you concern or creates changes in your behavior. Following a recent hit to the head or any other type of traumatic damage to the head, immediate medical attention should be sought if there are any indications or symptoms that could point to traumatic brain injury.
The impact of the injury on the ability of the brain to function can be described using the descriptors “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe.” Even a slight laceration to the brain is considered a dangerous condition that demands immediate medical attention and a precise diagnosis.
A blow to the head or another type of severe injury to the body is the most common cause of TBI. The extent of the damage may vary depending on a number of aspects, such as the form of the injury and the force with which it was sustained.
The following are examples of frequent occurrences that lead to traumatic brain injuries:
In addition to blunt force trauma, penetrating wounds, severe strikes to the head with shrapnel or debris, and falls or physical impacts with objects after an explosion can all lead to traumatic brain injury.
Immediately or soon after sustaining a traumatic brain injury, a patient may experience a number of issues. The likelihood of developing a greater number and more serious consequences following a severe injury is elevated.
A moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can result in changes in a person’s state of consciousness, awareness, or responsiveness that might last for an extended period of time or be permanent. The following are examples of different states of consciousness:
After sustaining a traumatic brain injury, a person may have some or all of these symptoms over a period of time ranging from a few weeks to a few months. In most cases, these symptoms are referred to as persistent post-concussive symptoms when they persist for a lengthy period of time after an individual has sustained a concussion.
An injury to the brain caused by trauma can cause damage to a number of blood arteries in the brain, both small and large. This damage might result in a stroke, blood clots, or other complications down the road.
