Accidents are unpredictable. It can happen to anyone, anytime. Sometimes, even if one stays on the safe side, someone careless can cause harm. In the US, car accidents are the leading cause of death and severe traumatic brain injury. TBI occurs when your brain experiences a violent blow or jolt in the head, damaging the brain. It can be categorized as mild, moderate to severe injuries. Symptoms may appear immediately, within a few days, or even weeks after the injury. But, what happens if you experience traumatic brain injury symptoms years later?Â
Facts about traumatic brain injury
Mild traumatic brain injury may affect one’s brain cells temporarily. But in more severe cases, it can cause long-term health concerns.
Aside from accidents, TBI can also occur when your brain lacks the oxygen required. But, its effect will depend on the severity of the injury.
In the United States, TBI is one of the leading causes of fatality and disability. A simple fall or slip can also result in this type of injury. Anyone can experience TBI, but the risk is more significant in some age groups than others.
Symptoms of TBI
Since TBI is classified as minor to severe injuries, its symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, having trouble sleeping, and memory issues.
But since symptoms are too common and may be connected to other health concerns, some may disregard TBI. If overlooked and the symptoms continue, this may result in more significant damages.
Can symptoms of TBI show up years after?
A symptom may appear years after the said brain injury. In some cases, these symptoms are unnoticed or disregarded. A simple headache can be a sign of TBI; hence the person might assume that it is just a usual headache due to cold or other minor factors.
It is also possible for someone to experience symptoms immediately after the accident and for new signs to appear days, weeks, or even years later.
One of the ideal ways to determine if something that you feel is due to TBI is through medical imaging. This way, appropriate medication can be provided.
Long-term complications of TBI
An injury may be similar to another, but it can pose different complications. Since the brain is complex, it will be challenging to know how severe the damage is or how it will affect its function. Unfortunately, TBI can also cause long-term complications such as memory loss, aside from fatality. This will not just be forgetting what happened in the past or before the accident but having trouble retaining new memories.
TBI can also increase the risk of dementia, persistent headaches, dizziness, and other neurological disorders. This may also cause some mental issues such as depression, personality changes, and mood swings in rare cases.
TBI in children and adults
Since this injury can be from different causes, it may happen to people of all ages. Its effect may differ significantly from children to adults.
For children, this can affect their mental development. This will later be seen through the way they think and behave. In the long run, it may be seen through their social participation and productivity.
In adults, especially older ones, it is common for TBI to be misdiagnosed due to other complications such as dementia. Aside from medical imaging, one of the simplest and most common ways of putting TBI as a cause of someone’s illness is through background checking. Medical practitioners should know if the person experienced a fall or crash at some point before having some symptoms.
Legal actions for TBI damages
If a person started suffering from TBI because of an accident involving a different party, it would be essential to take legal actions and have an attorney around. With this, even if your symptoms appear far later after the accident, you can still secure compensation to support your medical expenses.
TBI can be life-changing and threatening, be sure to stay safe and alert at all times. Though unpredictable, knowing your rights during accidents will also help you. If you ever run into this type of situation, always seek advice from a car accident lawyer to gain the support and compensation you deserve.
