A traumatic brain injury can happen when you incur a sudden jolt or bump to your head, like in a car accident. This trauma can affect your cognitive, emotional and sensory capabilities.
Every person reacts differently to a brain injury and may experience different symptoms. However, there are some common symptoms many brain injury victims experience following the initial trauma.
Headaches
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, 214,110 people went to the hospital because of TBI symptoms and many of these patients likely experienced headaches. Frequent and severe headaches are a common symptom of a brain injury. These headaches can vary in intensity and may persist for an extended period of time.
Cognitive changes
Brain injuries often lead to cognitive changes, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems and confusion. These changes can affect your ability to perform everyday tasks, including going to work, taking care of household tasks and other simple actions.
Nausea and vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can be early indicators of a brain injury. These symptoms may occur shortly after the injury and are often accompanied by dizziness and a feeling of unsteadiness.
Sensory disturbances
Brain injuries can disrupt the normal functioning of the senses. You may experience blurred vision, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or changes to your sense of taste or smell.
Mood swings and emotional changes
Emotional changes, such as mood swings, irritability and increased anxiety or depression, can be effects of a brain injury. These symptoms may come and go and while you may feel normal at one time, you may become irritable or depressed a short time later.
After you get into a motor vehicle collision or another accident that results in a brain injury, some symptoms may show up right away while others may take a while to develop. Recognizing the common systems of a brain injury can help you know when to receive prompt medical treatment.
