A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur due to a range of different situations. Some people develop TBIs because they fall. Unsafe property conditions or a lack of proper safety gear at a job site might lead to someone falling and hurting their brain. Even same-level falls can lead to TBIs in some cases. People can also end up with brain injuries when a product malfunctions or when they play contact sports. Motor vehicle collisions are also a top cause of TBIs, as crashes can injure the human brain in many different ways.
A TBI can inspire a variety of different symptoms depending on several factors. People may experience changes in how they think or their ability to recall memories. Some people develop motor symptoms, including issues with balance or changes in their fine motor control. Other people have sensory symptoms or changes in their personalities. With such serious symptoms possible, why is it so common for people to overlook TBIs when they initially get hurt?
Symptoms often take time to fully develop
A brain injury is different than many other kinds of traumatic injuries. A broken bone is usually an instantaneous injury, for example. A TBI takes time to develop. In many cases, the bleeding or swelling of the brain must continue for days, if not weeks, for symptoms to become noticeable. As the pressure inside the skull increases, symptoms may become more severe or new symptoms may develop.
It is also easy for people to overlook the early symptoms of a TBI. The way that the body responds to an injury can cover up pain. Symptoms may include minor or generic concerns, such as a sense of nausea or a persistent headache. The average person has a difficult time evaluating themselves or noteworthy injuries after a car crash.
A medical professional can conclusively diagnose a brain injury with imaging tests and other medical technology. Undergoing a proper medical evaluation can help someone limit the symptoms that they develop after a traumatic injury to the brain. Those who understand why some injuries are harder to identify than others can take the right steps after they get hurt in a crash, fall or similar incident.
