May 11, 2021
A brain injury is a potentially life-threatening event. Regardless of how it happens, any damage to the brain may make a lasting impact on vital body functions. As a brain injury lawyer in Tulsa, OK from a firm like Royce Injury Attorneys LLC can explain, while most injuries are minor, others (such as brain injuries) are not. Learn more about how brain injuries happen and how you can spot the signs of one.
Traumatic Brain Injury
When the brain is physically impacted by something, you may suffer a traumatic brain injury or TBI. This type of injury may be caused by a blow to the head or the physical forces exerted on the head. Car accidents may cause a TBI if the head hits a hard surface or the brain strikes the skull while sliding. Either injury may result in damage to the brain tissue. Some injuries, such as a concussion, usually clear up with little medical intervention. However, a diagnosis is always necessary to ensure that a more serious injury is not lurking.
Acquired Brain Injury
An acquired brain injury happens when something alters the way the brain functions. One of the most common ways to suffer an acquired brain injury is a stroke. When a blood vessel in the brain becomes clogged, it deprives the organ of oxygen. A stroke usually occurs when a major vessel becomes clogged, typically in the middle of the brain. A stroke is a major medical event and may result in severe changes in brain function that permanently alter your life. It may result in death in the most extreme cases. Other ways you may suffer an acquired brain injury include:
- Brain tumor
- Virus
- Neurotoxic poisons
- Seizure
Signs and Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Some brain injuries are obvious, such as those that involve a head impact. For instance, a car accident that leaves you with a bleeding head wound is a sign that there is a brain injury. The most dangerous facet of a brain injury is that there is often damage before you know it. Some of the signs and symptoms of a brain injury mimic other common health issues. Things such as dizziness, nausea and fatigue may also occur in viral infections that do not affect the brain. The thing to pay attention to is worsening or intensifying of symptoms. When a headache, for instance, gets worse even with over-the-counter intervention, it may be time to call a doctor. One of the first signs of a stroke is a sudden weakness or numbness in one side of the face.
Paying attention to the signs your body is showing may save your life. If you suffer a brain injury resulting from someone else’s negligence, contact a brain injury lawyer in your area as soon as possible.