Head injuries happen every day across America. Whether from car accidents, sports collisions, falls or other incidents, these injuries can change lives in an instant. Many people use the terms “concussion” and “traumatic brain injury” interchangeably, but significant differences exist between them.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, happens when an outside force harms the brain. This could be a sudden jolt, a bump, or a blow to the head, or even a piercing injury where something goes through the skull and into the brain. TBIs are serious because they can change how the brain works, and they range from mild to very severe.
What is a concussion?
One type of TBI is a concussion. While often considered less serious, a concussion is still a brain injury. Think of it this way: all concussions are TBIs, but not all TBIs are concussions. A concussion occurs when your brain moves rapidly back and forth inside your skull, causing a temporary disruption in its normal function.
Key differences in symptoms
While both conditions affect the brain, their symptoms can differ in important ways:
Concussion Symptoms
Concussions typically cause temporary symptoms that may include:
- Headache or pressure in the head
- Brief loss of consciousness (though many concussions occur without this)
- Confusion and feeling foggy
- Memory problems about the injury event
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Feeling slowed down or tired
These symptoms usually appear right after the head injury but sometimes develop hours or days later. Most people recover from concussions within a few weeks or months with proper rest and care. However, several concussions can be dangerous.
Severe TBI Symptoms
More severe traumatic brain injuries often show more dramatic symptoms:
- Extended loss of consciousness (minutes to hours)
- Persistent, worsening headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Seizures or convulsions
- Inability to wake up
Other symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can be numbness in limbs, slurred speech, loss of coordination and profound confusion.
Getting a diagnosis and treatment
Getting the right diagnosis from a healthcare professional is the first crucial step after a head injury. If you suspect any head injury, you must seek medical attention right away.
Diagnosing head injuries
When you see a doctor, they will typically perform a physical exam and neurological tests to check your reflexes, balance, coordination, memory and concentration. They might ask about the injury itself when symptoms started and how you feel.
For more severe cases, or to rule out serious issues like bleeding or swelling in the brain, doctors might order imaging tests like a CT scan or an MRI.
Treating concussions and TBIs
For concussions treatment, rest is the most important treatment. This means resting both your body and your brain. Your doctor will likely advise you to avoid strenuous physical activities, sports, and even activities that require a lot of thinking, like using phones, watching TV, playing video games, or heavy reading.
For more severe TBIs, treatment begins immediately with emergency care. Doctors focus on stabilizing the patient, ensuring proper breathing and blood flow to the brain and preventing further damage. This might involve surgery to relieve pressure, remove blood clots or repair skull fractures. After the initial emergency phase, severe TBI patients often move to rehabilitation centers.
Long terms effect of brain injuries
Most people recover from a concussion within a few weeks. However, sometimes symptoms can last longer. This is called post-concussion syndrome.
TBIs can have long-lasting effects on how you think, move, and feel. Some people might have problems with memory, learning or problem-solving. They might also have changes in their personality or emotions.
Importance of legal help
If you or a loved one suffers a head injury due to someone else’s negligence—perhaps from a car accident, a slip and fall or another incident—seeking legal guidance might be advisable. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate a brain injury lawsuit, recover lost wages and ensure you receive proper head injury compensation for long-term care or ongoing suffering caused by the injury.
Always take head injuries seriously. If you or someone you know experiences a bump, jolt, or blow to the head and especially if any symptoms arise, do not hesitate. Seek medical attention immediately.
