Brain Injury Symptoms

People who suffer from Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and their families are met with overwhelming psychological and physical tests. TBI symptoms, which are often overlooked, can make matters even worse and will sometimes be so discreet that doctors will fail to diagnose them. If ignored, untreated brain symptoms may contribute to more intense brain damage, disability, or even death.

Mild symptoms of TBI Concussion

Mild TBI symptoms, also known as a concussion, are less obvious and vary depending on the victim. Someone suffering from a concussion may only be unconscious for a few seconds or minutes, or they may not be knocked out at all. Actually, someone who experiences a mild brain injury may only be stunned momentarily or remain fully aware of their surroundings.

Some general mild TBI symptoms include lightheadedness, unconsciousness for no more than 30 minutes, part-time memory loss, blurry eyesight, foul taste in mouth, and confusion. Mild TBI symptoms might not show up right away; since the inflammation of the brain that triggers these symptoms occurs at a slow rate, days or even weeks may go by before there are any signs of these symptoms. Any evidence of depression, anxiety, sleeplessness, severe headaches, daydreaming, or memory loss can indicate more severe, long-term brain damage.

Instant mild TBI symptoms

Confusion
Temporary memory loss
Tinnitus (ringing of the ears)
Nausea
Slurred speech
Headache
Unconsciousness (under 30 minutes)
Lethargy
Dilated pupils

Secondary mild TBI symptoms

Mood swings
Intense headaches/migraines
Inability to sleep
More serious memory loss
Noticeable difference in the way things smell and taste
Attention problems
Depression
Exhaustion
Sensitivity to bright light and loud noise
Vertigo

Moderate to severe symptoms of TBI

Moderate to severe TBI symptoms are more defined and include headaches that intensify or linger, unconsciousness for greater than 30 minutes, nausea and/or vomiting, bowel control problems, slurred speech, memory loss, seizures, dilation of at least one pupil, and paralysis or lack of sensation in extremities.

Bleeding inside the head, or intracranial bleeding, is also a common side effect. The amount of intracranial bleeding is measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography scan (CT scan), or intracranial pressure monitor (ICP). This sort of internal bleeding can have horrible implications because even if it is addressed, it can contribute to chronic problems and even death.

People suffering from moderate to severe brain injury often enter a comatose state and may never regain consciousness. A coma is a very serious complication which stems from TBI, but once a victim reaches a state of coma, it does not mean that they are definitely going to die. TBI patients can be in a coma for days or weeks before reacting to any outside stimulation. Physicians gauge comas with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) or the Rancho Los Amigos Coma Scale. These two scales serve as a guide to figure out the level of a coma's severity and whether the victim has a chance to come out of it.

Instant moderate to severe TBI symptoms

Unconsciousness (greater than 30 minutes)
Unsteadiness
Breathing at a slower pace
Tiredness
Confusion
Dilated pupils
Blurry eyesight or total loss of vision
Reduced heart rate
Vomiting
Severe headache or migraine
Ringing of the ears or worsened hearing

Secondary moderate to severe TBI symptoms

Incoherency
Spinal fluid (clear liquid) excreted from ears or nose (indicates severe brain injury)
Jumbled speech
Loss of feeling in extremities (indicates severe brain injury)
Coma (indicates severe brain injury)
Amnesia
Paralysis (indicates severe brain injury)
Emotional instability (e.g., short temper, depression)
Inability to verbally communicate
No control over bowels (indicates severe brain injury)
Epilepsy or seizures (indicates severe brain injury)

Symptoms related to mild, moderate, or severe TBI are not always easy to pinpoint. The slightest of symptoms can be hiding serious brain damage. As a result, it is critical to seek immediate medical attention to diagnose, treat, and help the victim deal with TBI.