There are two basic types of brain injuries: open and closed.
CLOSED BRAIN INJURIES are the most common, and as the name suggests, they cover any brain injury that doesn’t involve a break in the skull. The fact that your brain is not exposed can make infection less likely, but these injuries can still be incredibly serious and even life-threatening.
Concussions are one of the most common types of closed brain injuries. These wounds happen when a significant force or impact slings your brain into the inside of your skull. It’s possible to get a concussion even if your head never hits anything, especially in car wrecks, when your body is getting slung around with tremendous force.
Edema is a secondary condition that arises as the result of a traumatic brain injury. After an injury (such as a concussion), the brain may swell, putting pressure on the tissue and even crushing parts of the brain against your skull. This swelling is called edema, and it can cause serious damage if the pressure isn’t alleviated.
A hematoma is a condition in which blood pools in your brain as the result of a ruptured blood vessel. This can also put pressure on your brain and may start to damage some of the tissue there.
Your brain is held in place within your skull by long bands of tissue that connect your brain to the bone. When those connective tissues get torn, it’s called a diffuse axonal injury, or DAI. As you might imagine, since these tissues are connected to so many parts of your brain, these injuries can cause significant damage in many areas of the brain.
OPEN BRAIN INJURIES involve some crack or hole being created in the skull, exposing the brain. These injuries can be more susceptible to infection since viruses and bacteria can now get to your brain more easily. They also leave your brain vulnerable to further trauma since you don’t have the protection of your skull in that area any more.
Skull fractures are a common result of car accidents and falls in which you hit your head. These fractures can heal over time, but they may cause additional damage to your brain or complications in your recovery.
Gunshot wounds to the head can be incredibly dangerous if the victim manages to survive at all. Bullets can introduce germs directly to the brain tissue, and the resulting open injury can leave a victim at enormous risk of infection. In addition, the concussive force of a bullet passing through the body damages tissues in a wide radius around the actual shot trajectory.
Aside from the two types of brain injuries, there are three classifications of brain injuries medical professionals use: minor, moderate, and severe.
Minor TBI usually doesn’t cause the victim to lose consciousness. If they do pass out, they’re often awake within thirty minutes or less.
Symptoms of minor TBI can include
In most cases, minor TBI will heal on its own in a few weeks with appropriate rest. However, it is still very important to get examined by a doctor if you suspect you may have a minor TBI. It can be hard to tell how severe an injury is, and even minor TBI can lead to serious complications.
As you might suspect, moderate TBI is more serious and comes with more drastic symptoms. These injuries may cause unconsciousness for anywhere from half an hour to a full day.
Symptoms of moderate TBI can include
Some moderate TBI victims also experience memory loss for anywhere from twenty-four to seventy-two hours after the accident.
Of course, the most serious brain injuries get classified as severe TBI. These injuries can be life-threatening or even fatal, especially if left untreated. If you or a loved one experience any of the following symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of severe TBI can include
You may notice that many of these symptoms overlap with moderate TBI. The two classifications can be hard to distinguish and will require professional medical care. Seek medical attention right away if you or someone you love starts showing any of these symptoms after an injury.
When a child gets into a car, every parent or caregiver’s main concern should be getting that child from Point A to Point B as safe as possible. With all the tips out there and laws changing, it can become overwhelming to keep up. Here are 10 of the most up-to-date safety tips you should follow.
Summertime is a great time to enjoy time off, the outdoors, water sports, and swimming pools. With summer quickly approaching, many parents and poolgoers might be wondering about swimming pool-related injuries and how to prevent them from happening. Here are some important tips and info about swimming pools and how to keep yourself and your children safe.
A car crash can be a terrifying ordeal that can leave you physically and emotionally scarred. Car crash victims can get compensation for their suffering. But how do you know when to hire a car accident attorney?
It’s a good idea to talk to a car accident lawyer any time you’re involved in a serious crash or one involving a drunk or uninsured driver. Read on to learn when to call in professional help for your car accident case.
For over 30 years, Craig and his team have helped thousands of personal injury victims pursue compensation for damages owed to them. We are dedicated to providing competent, compassionate legal support and giving you and your family the personalized attention you deserve. Our lawyers are committed to fighting for your rights and helping you recover maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. Give us a call today. Our conversations are always free, and you don’t pay anything unless we win your case!
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