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Everyone who experiences a brain injury does so differently. Some trauma is immediately noticeable, while other injuries take time to show up. Some are able to heal with few problems, but others can leave behind lasting damage.
In Augusta, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a real concern that happens more often than many people realize. To really understand the scope of a TBI, it helps to break it down by traumatic brain injury categories. Let’s take a closer look at the four types of TBIs and how they’re classified by severity.
Concussions are perhaps the most talked-about type of TBI, and for good reason. They happen in many different situations — sports, car crashes, work accidents, and even everyday falls. A concussion is caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head that causes the brain to shift inside the skull. This can damage brain cells and affect how the brain works.
Symptoms don’t always show up right away. Headaches, dizziness, and confusion can come along several hours after the accident. Some people deal with memory problems or mood swings. Others just feel “off” and can’t explain why.
Doctors tend to classify concussions as mild TBIs, but that term can be misleading. A so-called mild concussion can still have long-term implications, especially if a person has suffered more than one.
Contusion is the medical term for a bruise. The brain can bruise after a direct impact, like hitting your head on a windshield during a crash. It can also come from the brain slamming into the inside of the skull during a sudden movement, which is common in rear-end collisions.
These contusions often involve bleeding and swelling. Unlike a typical bruise, it can be dangerous when it involves the brain. If pressure builds up inside the skull, it can push on parts of the brain that control vital body functions.
Some bruises are small and heal with a little time and rest. Some might need surgery to relieve the pressure. The location makes a difference, too. A contusion on the frontal lobe can affect judgment and behavior, while one in the temporal lobe might cause memory loss or problems with speech.
This type of injury is serious, and it often doesn’t show up clearly on scans. A DAI happens when the brain rapidly shifts around inside the skull, and that movement stretches and tears the long fibers that carry messages between brain cells.
DAIs usually happen in high-speed car crashes and serious falls. The damage isn’t always visible from the outside, but the inside is another story. It can cause a person to lose consciousness immediately, and they might slip into a coma.
There’s no quick fix for a DAI. When it happens, recovery is slow and unpredictable. People with a DAI often face challenges with speech, attention, and movement. Some require long-term rehab.
Penetrating injuries are the most graphic TBIs. They happen when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. Bullets, metal rods from vehicle parts, knives, and shrapnel are all common culprits.
Unlike other TBIs, penetrating brain injuries leave no doubt about their seriousness. There’s bleeding, swelling, and often the immediate need for surgery. The path of the object determines the damage, and even a small object can do a massive amount of harm if it hits the wrong area.
Survival depends on medical care, and even then, the person could experience paralysis, seizures, and permanent cognitive issues. Additionally, they carry a high risk of infections, long hospital stays, and lengthy recoveries—if recovery happens at all.
Brain injuries are divided into three levels of severity: mild, moderate, and severe. These levels help doctors understand how serious the damage is and what kind of care someone might need. However, these three types of TBIs aren’t always perfect predictors of a person’s outcome.
These are the most common and typically involve concussions. Symptoms might include dizziness, headaches, and temporary confusion. Loss of consciousness only lasts a few seconds or minutes, if it happens at all. People often assume that mild TBIs aren’t a big deal, but the symptoms can linger for months, especially if the brain doesn’t get enough rest to heal properly.
These are more serious and where victims often encounter complications. Loss of consciousness can last up to a few hours, and there are often clear signs of damage (bleeding or swelling, for example) on brain scans. Confusion, speech problems, and memory loss can last for weeks.
Moderate injuries often lead to hospital stays. Recovery usually involves physical therapy, speech therapy, or some form of rehab. While some people improve significantly, others are left to deal with lifelong changes in their daily lives.
Severe TBIs involve extended unconsciousness or coma. They’re obvious on brain scans and can lead to long-term or permanent disabilities. In the worst cases, the person might not wake up at all.
Two people can have the same type of TBI and face completely different outcomes. One might feel better in a few weeks. The other could still be fighting confusion or memory problems a year later. A mild injury can still derail someone’s ability to work or take care of themselves or their families.
That’s why understanding the types and severity levels of traumatic brain injury is important. For people in Augusta who are dealing with this type of trauma, the stakes are personal. Every brain injury brings its own unique set of challenges, and knowing what those can look like is the first step to understanding what recovery might mean for them.
For more information, please contact our Augusta personal injury lawyers at Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Augusta, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys
4137 Columbia Rd, Augusta, GA 30907
(706) 722-8784