Traumatic brain injury cases are comprised of two specific types diagnosed by doctors. These are: primary traumatic brain injury and secondary brain injury. Primary brain injuries occur from the moment of the initial incident causing the trauma. Examples of a primary brain injury are a blow to the head, a fracture, or contusion – these injuries are categorized as primary because they were imposed immediately.
Traumatic brain injuries are all too common. In 2013 alone, TBI was a diagnosis in more than 282,000 hospitalizations and 2.5 million ED visits.
The second type of traumatic brain injury is referred to as a secondary brain injury. These injuries occur when another injury leads to the brain injury. An example of this is when an individual is drowning in water and has their oxygen supply cut off to the brain. This causes a brain injury referred to as ischemia in which the blood flow to the brain is significantly diminished. Other types of injuries and illnesses can cause swelling to the brain that can also lead to a secondary brain injury.
Mild brain injury symptoms
The symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can be as simple as a loss of consciousness. The victim of this type of brain injury may black out for a few seconds and then recover. Other victims of mTBI can include nausea, headaches, fatigue, and vomiting. Others may experience difficulty with their speech or staying awake. All of these symptoms indicate some form of debilitating effect upon the central nervous system resulting from an injury to the brain.
Severe brain injury symptoms
The symptoms accompanying more severe brain injuries can include significant cognitive issues such as memory loss and the difficulty to concentrate. Unexplained mood changes are another symptom of severe TBI. Additional symptoms may include seizures, coma, confusion, inability to speak, and loss of coordination.
Diagnosing brain injury severity
After classifying a brain injury as primary or secondary in nature, a doctor may place the injury itself in one of three categories: mild, moderate, or severe TBI. The specific category of the injury may depend on whether the patient has suffered unconsciousness, the length of time of the patient’s unconscious state, and the severity of the patient’s symptoms.
Although a large number of brain injuries are classified as mild, this does not mean the symptoms are necessarily mild or do not have the potential to change the individual’s life. It simply means the symptoms are not life-threatening. It is certainly true that an injury that produces lifelong symptoms is not considered mild by the person suffering the symptoms.
It is easier to recognize the symptoms of a brain injury if you understand the different types of brain injuries, how they occur, and what symptoms accompany each type.
A traumatic brain injury can impose long-term, negative consequences to your health and overall quality of life. If you have sustained a mild, moderate, or severe brain injury due to the negligence of another party, our Nashville brain injury attorneys at Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can fight on your behalf for the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses and other losses. To consult with one of our attorneys, call us today at 615.246.5549 or send us a request through our contact form. We serve clients from our law offices in Nashville, Hendersonville, and Knoxville.
