The human brain manages much more than just thoughts. It coordinates our physical movements and subconscious responses, from the push of leg muscles to simple breathing. It’s busy regulating our blood pressure, directing our digestive system, shifting our hormonal balance, and even maintaining our body temperature. The brain oversees our actions and reactions. When a brain injury occurs, it can disrupt any of our regular functions and create a tremendous amount of confusion and difficulty. And in cases of serious traumatic brain injury, the physical symptoms can persist.
What are some of the immediate physical symptoms of brain injury?
When a brain injury does occur, there are some physical symptoms that can point to the need for immediate medical attention.
If you've witnessed someone experience a blow to the head, it's important to keep an eye out for several key physical indicators of brain injury:
- A loss or change in consciousness, even if briefly
- Complaints of headache or any other head pain
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Ringing in the ears
- A seizure or other unusual movements
- Swelling of the scalp
- Inconsolable crying (esp. in infants and children)
- Dizziness or movements exhibiting poor balance
- Blurry or altered vision
- Slurred speech
- Any reports of numbness or tingling in limbs
- Poor coordination
- Interrupted breathing
- Slow movements, or inability to move
After a significant brain injury, physical symptoms can change and persist over time. They can affect almost any area of the body. After a moderate or severe injury, symptoms can include:
- Spasticity
- Problems swallowing
- Vestibular or balance issues
- Changes in vision or visual field
- Problems with sleep or sleep patterns
- Severe fatigue
- Seizures
- Hearing problems
In addition to a number of other physical symptoms of brain injury, there are also many thinking and cognitive symptoms of TBI .
Responding to a brain injury
Signs and symptoms of brain injury are not always obvious, so the safest bet is to get professional medical help any time a brain injury is suspected.
Comments (3)
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mehran soha replied on Permalink
Spasticity
Problems swallowing
Vestibular or balance issues
Changes in vision or visual field
Problems with sleep or sleep patterns
Severe fatigue
Seizures
Hearing problems
I have all of them.i have a sever TBI it happend to me aroud 3 years ago! ,how long it would take?
Pete Simpkin replied on Permalink
As a teenager I was involved in a bike accident with a car and I was knocked out For 40 minutes after suffering a serious concussion (TBI). I woke up in a Hospital bed. I was young and naïve as to the long-term effects of a concussion And had to learn to live with and accept some of the effects physically, Emotionally and psychologically it had on me over the coming weeks and months. These are some of them:
Most of these faded away over the coming weeks and months after the accident. Adjusting to normal life again took time and was difficult and rebuilding your confidence again after a serious accident is never going to be easy.
Alfreeda Mobley replied on Permalink
I fell from a standing position, backwards and hit an end table at the base of my skull. I didn't get knocked out but I had severe pain in the bridge not my nose and back of head. I was I in a altered state for 3 days or more. It took me 2 months to be able to get anything done. I am still hurting from this..13 years later I am still in alot of pain...base of my neck swells all the time..