Brain injuries are often missed. One hundred fifty-three people die each day in the US from complications associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) according to the Centers for Disease Control.
TBI’s go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because emergency rooms are often busy and hectic; doctors are busy, and the brain is complicated. Knowing more about this issue can save lives.
Undiagnosed Injuries to the Head
Radiology is not always effective in detecting an injury to the brain. Also, sthese injuries don’t always show up until hours later, and sometimes even days after the incident. Other times, people are suffering from other traumatic injuries, and the symptoms from these injuries overshadow an injury to the brain.
The initial ER assessment should not be the end of the analysis. If a doctor does not diagnose a patient’s brain injury correctly, treatment is delayed, and symptoms can get worse. If you have symptoms, follow-up with a doctor.
Symptoms
Brain injuries can lead to life-long problems. The sooner it is treated, the better. Damage to the brain is difficult to reverse, but once stabilized, further damage can be treated and minimized. It is accepted in the medical profession you need not lose consciousness to suffer such an injury.
The following are some symptoms to watch for:
Changes in vision (blurring, blindness, light sensitivity, etc)
● Loss of consciousness (unresponsive state)
● Concussions
● Enlarged or unequal pupil size
● Change in cognitive abilities (difficulty “thinking straight,” memory issues, poor judgment, reduced attention span, a slowed thought processing speed) or confusion
● Inappropriate emotional responses (irritability, easily frustrated, inappropriate crying or laughing)
● Reduced resiliency
Change in taste
Ringing in the ear(s)
● Vomiting
● Dizziness
● Difficulty speaking (slurred speech, difficulty swallowing)
● Headache
● Poor coordination
If you believe you have experienced a brain injury because of someone else’s negligence
Call us now: 406.522.7744