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Accidents happen. You may suffer a head injury, maybe from a fall or sports injury, but brush it off as a minor bump. Head injuries can be significant injuries and can cause serious, long-term consequences. No matter the head injury symptoms, seeking medical attention is crucial. Here is what could happen if you leave a head injury untreated.
What Happens to Your Brain Following a Head Injury?
When a person suffers a head injury, the brain can experience bleeding or swelling, which can disrupt the brain's normal functioning and lead to death or other serious, long-term consequences. The symptoms of a brain injury are different for everyone, so it can be hard to determine the severity of a head injury on your own. However, untreated head injuries can lead to the following:
Death
Untreated brain bleeds and swelling can cause death moments, days, or weeks after a head trauma. If you suffered a head injury and you feel off in any way, it is important to seek immediate medical attention at an Emergency Room. The doctors will order a CT scan of the brain to determine whether or not you need a craniectomy or other treatments to relieve the pressure and save your life.
Cognitive Effects
Head injuries can lead to dramatic shifts in a person’s personality. Attention deficit, irritability, aggression, trouble sleeping, isolation, and slower processing speed are some symptoms that occur. Diagnoses and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, can help the person and their loved ones navigate these personality changes. Undiagnosed and untreated head injuries can exacerbate long-term mental health problems like depression and anxiety that are associated with traumatic brain injuries and concussions.
Memory Problems
Depending on the severity, head injuries can cause a person to forget the events surrounding the incident or other events and details around the time. Head injuries can also cause a person to forget things later, including appointments, daily tasks, or lists. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other treatments can help the person learn coping mechanisms to deal with persisting memory problems.
Disrupted Sensory Systems
Head injuries can disrupt a person’s senses. Connections to parts of the brain that control sight, hearing, taste, and smell can be disrupted. These disruptions can cause a person to lose their ability to taste and smell and may cause them to be overly sensitive to light and sounds. This can also lead to persisting balance and dizziness issues, which can lead to additional brain injuries.
Seizures
In some cases, people with untreated head injuries can have post-traumatic seizures. Sometimes these can occur months or years after the incident. Medications can help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures.
Degenerative Brain Diseases
Those who suffer from head injuries may also be more prone to degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Getting the appropriate treatment that can help the person live a full and active life may protect against these degenerative brain diseases.
Seek Medical Attention
Though head injuries can range from mild, moderate, and severe, the symptoms may not always be immediately apparent. They can sometimes take hours, days, or even weeks to manifest themselves. Whether or not you experience pain or any symptoms following a brain injury, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Doctors can monitor your symptoms and ensure you get the care you need to save your life and reduce the impacts of long-term consequences from the injury.
Contact a Compassionate Personal Injury Lawyer
You may be entitled to compensation if your head injury has occurred due to someone else’s negligence. After receiving medical attention, contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer to discuss your case and find out how to get compensation that covers short-term and long-term losses. The attorneys at Effres & Effres have years of experience serving the Los Angeles area in their cases and getting them the compensation they deserve.
Contact us at (818) 222-9720 or visit us online to get started on your case!