When involved in a car crash, you will likely suffer damage to the head, neck or back. Some people suffer injury to all three. When you deal with head injuries, you are also likely to deal with the resulting brain injuries, too.
Of these injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often cause the most problems. But how can you identify a TBI?
Disordered consciousness
Mayo Clinic discusses the impact of physical trauma on the brain. TBIs often have severe and immediate repercussions, which means it is easier to identify the red flags at times. For example, many TBI sufferers will experience disordered consciousness. This means they could pass out or even fall into a coma.
They will also show numerous physical signs of injury. For example, they could have unevenly dilated pupils or clear fluid draining from the ears or nose. They may also experience dizziness, nausea or vomiting. Some may complain about numbness or tingling in the extremities which could indicate nerve damage related to the brain injury.
Behavioral red flags
Identification can also extend to the victim’s behavior. Many will grow confused, paranoid, overly-emotional or upset. They may not recall how they got to their current location or what situation they are in. Some may forget even more, displaying temporary amnesia. This memory loss can fuel agitation and distress.
They may also experience a severe headache that increases in intensity over time. This could potentially indicate swelling in the brain, which can lead to serious complications like brain death or seizures. Needless to say, you want to get someone exhibiting these symptoms immediate medical attention.
