The link between traumatic brain injuries and dementia

Getting into a car accident can be one of the most traumatizing events in someone’s life. It is not uncommon for victims to suffer serious, long-term injuries — like traumatic brain injuries — that can permanently alter the course of their lives. Many victims never fully recover from their TBIs and even go on to develop related diseases or illnesses.

A recent study found that people with a history of TBIs are at a higher risk of developing dementia. The research shows that it can fuel the onset of different types of dementia, speeding up the timeline by approximately four years. Dementia is more of an umbrella term that refers to a number of different diseases that cause a decline in patients’ mental ability, including Alzheimer’s.

TBIs are usually classified as either mild, moderate or severe. However, even mild TBIs are of serious concern and can also lead to some of the same long-term concerns — namely, dementia. A car accident victim who did not lose consciousness or was only briefly unconscious should still be evaluated for a TBI if he or she exhibits any of the following symptoms:

• Confusion
• Inability to recall the accident
• Trouble speaking
• Trouble remembering or learning new information
• Lack of coordination
• Trouble seeing clearing
• Ringing in ears
• Trouble walking or standing

Unfortunately, even when a victim receives prompt medical care, he or she may still have a long recovery ahead. In many ways, some victims of traumatic brain injuries never fully recover. This makes it all the more important to get help when possible. For some in Delaware, this means pursuing a personal injury claim against the driver who caused the accident.