You may have felt like that little bump on your head at work was not a big deal. But what happens when days or weeks later, you feel off?
A head injury, even one that seems insignificant, may cause you long-term harm. Remain on the lookout for some of the most common signs and symptoms that there is more going on than meets the eye.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
The brain, like the motherboard for a computer, is responsible for powering and running your body. It sends messages up and down the spinal cord to every other piece of your body, telling it what to do. When any part of the brain becomes compromised, even by what you may consider a minor injury, it may affect any number of body systems. Any sudden event, accident or incident may result in a traumatic brain injury.
What are the signs of a TBI?
Absent a gash or other head wound, it may help to spot the signs of an underlying head injury.
Speech impairment
A loss of speech or slurred speech after any incident that jars your body and head may indicate a TBI.
Concentration issues
If you lose focus on things that once interested you or held your attention, you may have sustained damage to that part of your brain responsible for concentration.
Physical symptoms
Some TBIs manifest with flu-like symptoms, such as nausea or vomiting. You may feel unsteady on your feet and experience insomnia or extreme fatigue. A headache that lingers and becomes more intense is a major sign of a TBI.
A TBI may impact how you function and may alter the course of your life. Seek out a medical diagnosis immediately after any accident.
