Inflammation is the body’s normal response to injury, but the hard skull around the brain prevents outward swelling when it’s injured. Instead, pressure builds up inside the skull, and this pressure can cause even further injury.
Interruption in communication patterns between the brain’s neurotransmitters creates an imbalance of the delicate chemistry needed for normal function. If the injury is mild, normal function may resume when the brain heals and inflammation recedes. But if the pressure is prolonged or the injury is more severe, complications can be life-altering.
The Symptoms of TBI
The term “traumatic brain injury” sounds severe, and in some cases, it can be. However, traumatic brain injury is also the correct term for describing mild concussions that don’t appear to be concerning immediately after the event. Symptoms and complications related to TBI may appear days or even weeks after the injury. That is why all TBIs should be considered serious incidents until more information becomes available.
Symptoms of a mild TBI may include:
- Headache,
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Nausea/vomiting
- Speech problems
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Strange taste in the mouth
- Loss of smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes
- Feeling confused, disoriented
- Problems with memory or difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
A more serious TBI may also cause convulsions, clear fluids draining from ears or nose, weakness in toes and fingers, or dilation of one or both pupils.
Seek medical care if you or someone you know exhibits any of the above signs after a fall or some other type of accident that involves a blow to the head. Children are especially at risk for long-term complications of TBI and should be evaluated immediately.
Research status and treatment decisions
Research into emerging medical approaches is ongoing. Early laboratory findings, small studies, or preliminary clinical results do not establish that a product or procedure is safe or effective for every person with this condition. Treatment decisions should account for the quality of the evidence, regulatory status, known risks, established alternatives, and the patient’s individual medical history.
Questions to discuss with a licensed clinician
- What diagnosis has been confirmed, and what else could be causing the symptoms?
- Which established treatment options are appropriate, and what are their expected benefits and risks?
- What evidence supports the specific product or procedure being considered?
- Is the proposed use FDA-approved for this exact purpose or being studied in a registered clinical trial?
- What side effects, costs, follow-up needs, and alternatives should be considered?
This article provides general educational information and is not medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition, and it does not promise a particular outcome.
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