Common types of brain injuries

brain injuries are all too common in today’s world. Car accidents, sports and even some medical treatment can leave you with an injury that affects the rest of your life. Depending on the amount of force and the type of force that impacts the head, the brain can receive several types of injury. Some are grave and serious while others can be treated quickly, but most brain injuries require immediate medical attention so there is no further damage. Knowing what to watch for and how brain injuries may be categorized can help you determine when an injury has occurred.

Contusion

If the head received a direct impact, there may be bleeding on the brain that resembles a bruise. Contusions can be life-threatening, and larger ones should always be removed by a surgeon.

Diffuse axonal

These injuries are common when the head is forced to shake or rotate strongly, such as during a car accident. The injury happens when the skull moves forward, the brain lags behind and the structures of the brain tear. This may cause disruptions of the chemical processes and regular communication of the brain and cause brain chemicals to be released. This type of injury can be as extreme as to cause coma, death or brain damage. Depending on where the tear is in the brain, the individual may lose different functional abilities.

Traumatic brain injury

If damage to living brain tissue is caused by an outside motion or force, traumatic brain injury may be the result. TBI can be in the form of a closed brain injury, acquired brain injury or an open brain injury. TBI may be characterized by a period of coma or amnesia that can last anywhere from several minutes to several months.

Levels of brain injury

brain injuries come in different levels, and the severity may affect the symptoms and long-term consequences of them.

• Mild – brief or no loss of consciousness, normal scans of the brain, and usually characterized by some type of change in the individual’s mental state that signifies a concussion.

• Moderate – loss of consciousness lasts up to a few hours, confusion continues for days or weeks and cognitive, behavioral or physical impairments are longer term.

• Severe – when the delicate tissues of the brain are ripped, crushed or torn, a life-threatening type of injury can occur, also referred to as TBI.

No matter how your injury was caused, it’s important to seek medical help quickly. If you feel your injury was the result of medical malpractice or another’s negligence, you may benefit from speaking to an attorney.