Traumatic brain Injuries following accidents are difficult to diagnose

Images of the brain

Jonathan Rosenfeld —Traumatic brain injuries, or TBI's, occur when the head region receives a blunt impact. Depending on the overall force of impact and age of the person, these TBI's be mild or severe. If we look at severity, a concussion is the type of brain injury that is still classified as ‘mild’; however the long-term effects of a concussion are still mostly unknown.

Defining a concussion

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury. This TBI results in what we assume is a temporary loss of function. Many people assume that a person has to be ‘out cold’ in order to receive a concussion, but this is not true at all. If a physician is trying to determine whether a patient suffered a concussion, they will often look for the following symptoms:

• Reflex and strength reduction


• Balance or coordination problems


• Memory and concentration issues


• Vision or hearing impairment

While physicians use CT scans to check for severe brain injuries, these CT scans are not traditionally used when trying to determine whether the patient has suffered a concussion.

The causes of a concussion

The most common reason a person suffers a concussion is because of a fall. The majority of cases are adults over the age of 65 or children under the age of 14. The second most common factor in concussions is automobile accidents. Automobile accidents account for 17% of traumatic brain injury.

The treatment for a concussion

The treatment for a concussion often involves rest and relaxation. In order to manage pain, some physicians may prescribe over-the-counter medications. Most patients who suffer a concussion are told to avoid vigorous activity until all symptoms associated with the concussion are decreased.

What is the prognosis after a concussion?

Most physicians believe that the majority of patients who suffer a concussion will be able to recover without suffering long-term effects. However, there are clear signs associated with suffering a concussion that the patient and those around him or her need to be aware of. If a patient suffers a concussion, it is important to check for the following:

• Consciousness – It is untrue that you cannot allow someone who suffered a concussion to sleep. However, it is important to wake them up every few hours to ensure that they are not unconscious.


• Worsening headache, vomiting, or slurred speech – It is normal to experience a headache after suffering TBI; however, an increase in headache or the other symptoms may signal a blood clot or stroke.


• Ensure that pupils are even in size

What are the complications associated with a concussion?

Even though most patients recover without suffering long-term effects, there are some complications to be aware of:

• Epilepsy – Studies show that those people who suffer a concussion will have an increased risk (a 200% increase) of developing epilepsy over the following five years after the concussion.


• Multiple injuries – If the patient suffers more than one brain injury or concussion in his or her lifetime, the chance of these combined injuries leading to progressively diminishing brain function will increase.


• Stroke – As previously mentioned, a blood clot can form after a concussion; this can lead to a blockage or loss of oxygen. This may result in permanent brain damage and possibly even death.

Even though we have had the ability to monitor concussions for a long time, not everyone who suffers blunt force trauma to the head will receive the proper medical attention. A study done at the University of Illinois showed that post-concussion patients showed common deficits in certain types of brain functionality. This remained true even though the TBI’s were 3 ½ years old on average.

About the Author

Jonathan Rosenfeld is a personal injury attorney in Chicago. Many of Jonathan's cases involve people who have sustained traumatic brain injuries in various types of accidents.