What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow to the head or penetrating head injury, such as a gunshot wound, that affects your brain’s functioning. Depending on the extent of brain damage involved, a TBI can range from mild to sexavere.
A mild TBI can cause a temporary change in mental state, while a severe case can cause long periods of unconsciousness, coma, or even death. Some TBIs result in long-term complications, like seizures, headaches, or vertigo.
What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
A TBI can cause a wide range of physical and psychological symptoms. Some symptoms may not appear until days or weeks after the injury. Depending on the severity of your head injury, TBI symptoms may include:
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Dilated pupils
- Inappropriate emotional responses
- Loss of consciousness
- Cognitive impairments
- Slow pulse or breathing rate
- Ringing in the ears
- Difficulty swallowing or speaking
- Numbness or tingling
- Facial weakness or droopy eyelid
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
A TBI is a medical emergency. If you think that you or someone around you has a TBI, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
How are traumatic brain injuries diagnosed and treated?
Because a TBI requires emergency medical care, diagnosis often takes place at a hospital. The emergency room doctor may get a computerized tomography (CT) scan to check for signs of a TBI, such as brain swelling, bruising, or bleeding.
Many moderate-to-severe head injuries require surgery to remove a large blood clot or an area of bruised and swollen brain tissue.
After the patient is in stable condition, the team at the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles develops a personalized treatment plan to help them manage any lasting symptoms of the TBI. Depending on their needs, TBI treatment may include:
- Medications, such as seizure drugs
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Speech therapy
Rehabilitation from a TBI requires collaboration between multiple medical specialties. The team works closely with the patient, their family, and other health care providers to ensure optimal recovery.
For advanced care of traumatic brain injuries, call the Neurological Institute of Los Angeles, or book an appointment online today.
