San Jose Brain Injury Attorney

How Do I Know If I Have a Brain Injury?

Brain injuries or head injuries usually present themselves with a variety of different symptoms. According to the CDC, some of the most common symptoms include:

• Difficulty remembering, thinking clearly or concentrating
• Headache, blurry vision, dizziness, nausea, vomiting
• Lack of energy
• Sensitivity to nose or light
• Irritability, sadness, nervousness or anxiety
• Having trouble falling asleep
• Sleeping more than usual
• Sleeping less than usual

However, the best way to find out if you have suffered a brain injury is to see a medical professional immediately following your accident.

How Long After a Head Injury Can Symptoms Appear?

The CDC reports that symptoms of brain injuries can occur up to weeks after the initial injury. They can also present themselves immediately or within 24 hours of the incident. The more quickly you are able to catch the symptoms, generally the easier it will be to treat the injury. You should always see a doctor as soon as possible after experiencing a head injury.

Right and Left Brain Injuries

Each side of the human brain serves different functions. The left side regulates analytical, logical, repetitive, detail-oriented, literal and precise behavior. The right side of the brain involves creativity, imagination, intuition, empathy and irregularity. TBI on the left side of the brain may result in language difficulties (speaking and understanding), depression, anxiety, impaired logic, and a decreased ability to move on the right side of the body.

When the right side of the brain suffers and injury, the victim may have difficulty remembering visuals, decreased muscle control on the left side of the body, an altered perception of creativity and music, and an inability to think about future events or long-term events. When both sides of the brain are injured, the individual may have trouble processing information quickly. Additionally, the injured individual may become easily confused, suffer from fatigue and have a decreased attention span.

Mild Brain Injuries

The term mild does not refer to the long-term consequences of the injury. Mild refers to the severity of the initial accident that caused the damage. The brain is extremely complex. In the past, individuals involved in mil car accidents have suffered mild brain injuries because of whiplash. Many times, the consequences of mild brain injuries leave the victim unable to recall short term information. This can lead to difficulty completing everyday tasks (such as cooking or getting dressed) and difficulty balancing. Many mild brain injuries are caused by blunt force trauma.

Living with a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can be unpredictable. Because the brain is so complicated, side effects of a TBI are difficult to anticipate. When the brain is injured, neurons, nerve tracts and different section of the brain can be damaged. A healthy brain is able to send and receive messages to and from various portions of the body. Brain injuries can change the way an individual thinks, processes information, behaves and feels. TBI can also affect the body's systems. This includes breathing, body temperature, blood pressure and metabolism.