Whether you’re a parent, coach or just someone who wants to take better care of your health, it’s worthwhile to know the signs that suggest someone is dealing with a traumatic brain injury. Considering March is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, we thought it would be fitting to help share some of the symptoms that point to a traumatic brain injury. Hopefully you can use these signs to help diagnose head injuries and prevent further damage.
Common TBI Signs
It doesn’t matter whether the head injury occurred in an automobile accident, from a fall or as the result of athletic activity, they will present the same range of symptoms. Not everyone will experience all of the following symptoms, but if you notice one or more of these signs, help the individual get medical attention. First, we’re going to share some symptoms that may be evident to the individual who suffered the head injury:
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Ringing in the Ears
- Loss of Balance
- Sensitivity to Light
- Difficulty Sleeping
If you observed someone suffer a head injury, here’s what you can look for that suggests they are dealing with a TBI:
- Loss of Consciousness
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Memory Loss
- Confusion
- Delayed Response to Questions
- Dilated or Uneven Pupils
- Unsteadiness when Standing or Walking
If you are dealing with these symptoms, or you are the parent or a coach of a child who are displaying some of these symptoms, remove them from activity. These symptoms aren’t just going to go away in 20 minutes, so don’t assume the child will be able to go back into the game after a slight break. Remove them from activity and seek out professional medical attention. Failing to seek out medical help can lead to worsened symptoms and delayed healing.
If you or someone you know has suffered a traumatic brain injury and needs an evaluation, or you’ve experienced a TBI in the past and are still experiencing symptoms like headaches, anxiety, depression or sensitivity to light, reach out to Dr. Chang. He has worked with countless patients after a TBI, and he has been successful at helping mitigate and resolve symptoms. For more information on how he’ll do this contact his clinic today.