The Symptoms of TBI | Determining the Severity
In the minutes, hours, days, weeks and months after any bump or blow to the head, it’s essential to pay attention to a wide range of factors to recognize the symptoms of traumatic brain injury and determine the severity of such injury. A TBI will typically manifest differently from person to person, based on a variety of criteria, including overall age and health, the existence of prior head trauma, and level of activity.
The Types of Changes You May Experience
A traumatic brain injury can affect you in a variety of ways:
- The physical changes—With almost every TBI, you can expect headaches. If they persist or worsen over time, it’s likely that you have a moderate to severe TBI. Other physical changes that come with traumatic brain injury include loss of balance or vertigo, nausea or vomiting, greater sensitivity to light and sound, and changes in your sleep pattern, including both insomnia and excessive fatigue
- The personality changes—It’s common, in the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, to engage in behaviors that are atypical, including higher levels of aggression or suspicion, greater degrees of disinhibition or extreme apathy
- The affective changes—Don’t be surprised if you find yourself more easily irritated or frustrated, or if you have feelings of depression, anxiety or extreme tension
Determining the Severity of Your Traumatic Brain Injury
Here are some simple ways to get a baseline on the seriousness of your TBI:
- Mild TBI—If you lose consciousness for less than 30 minutes, and have memory loss or amnesia for less than 24 hours, it’s likely your traumatic brain injury is mild
- Moderate TBI—Loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes, but less than 24 hours, and memory challenges or amnesia for less than 7 days
- Severe TBI—Loss of consciousness for more than 24 hours or amnesia/memory loss for more than 7 days
Contact Us to Set Up an Appointment
At Advantage Healthcare Systems, we have extensive experience working successfully with individuals who suffer any type of concussion, TBI or traumatic brain injury. Call us toll-free at 1-877-487-8289 or fill out the form provided below to schedule an assessment. We offer locations across Texas, including Fort Worth, Dallas and San Antonio.
