During the past few decades, many resources have been directed toward researching traumatic brain injuries. As a result, doctors and researchers have developed new diagnostic and treatment modalities. Despite these advancements, head injuries impact countless individuals and their loved ones yearly. When someone has been diagnosed with a brain injury, learning everything possible about the damage is essential. This can help individuals and their families understand the injury and the recovery process.

If a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident due to negligence, call our experienced South Lake Tahoe brain injury attorneys at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

There are several steps involved in making the diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury. When someone presents to the doctor following a traumatic event, the physician will ask questions about the patient’s symptoms. Some of the most common signs of a head injury include a severe headache, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, and emotional irritability. If the doctor believes the symptoms are consistent with a brain injury, they will likely perform several physical exam maneuvers. These include:

• Testing the patient’s hearing and vision to see if these parts of the brain have been damaged.
• Testing the patient’s reflexes to see if there has been any nerve damage.
• Using some basic recall tests to examine the patient’s cognitive function.

If the doctor is still worried about a brain injury, they can order imaging tests to look at the brain directly. There are two standard imaging scans that they might order:

• CT Scan: A computed tomography (CT) scan can be considered an x-ray in three dimensions. The primary benefit of a CT scan is that it is fast. This makes it perfect for emergency situations. However, it also uses a large amount of radiation and does not produce the same level of detail as an MRI.
• MRI: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses powerful magnets to produce its image. The significant advantage of an MRI is that it provides a tremendous level of detail without using any radiation. Unfortunately, MRI scans are costly and take a long time to complete.

Based on diagnostic imaging results, the doctor can diagnose an individual with one of several types of traumatic brain injuries.

The doctor can diagnose someone with one of several different types of brain injuries. Like other injuries, some diagnoses are more severe than others; however, every head injury must be taken seriously. Some of the possible head injuries include:

• Concussion: A concussion can range markedly in scope and severity. In general, a doctor will diagnose a concussion when a blow to the head has caused a temporary alteration in the function of the brain. A concussion typically does not show abnormalities on imaging scans; however, the individual can temporarily lose consciousness. While some people might recover from a trauma relatively quickly, repeated concussions can lead to severe medical conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
• Cerebral Contusion: A cerebral contusion can be considered a bruise of the brain tissue. A bruise is typically evident in medical imaging if someone has been diagnosed with a cerebral contusion. The symptoms of a brain contusion will depend on the location and severity of the contusion within the brain. While some people have memory issues, others can have executive functioning problems. This means that the person might have trouble following directions. Many people will recover fully following a cerebral contusion.
• Hemorrhage: A hemorrhage is a severe head injury. This term is used to describe bleeding that has developed in the brain. A hemorrhage can develop following a significant blow to the head, such as those sustained in a motorcycle accident. A tear in arteries or veins can lead to rapid bleeding inside the skull, with devastating consequences. Fortunately, an intracranial hemorrhage will typically show up on a CT scan. Depending on the size and location of the bleed, the individual may need emergency surgery.
• Herniation: A herniation is among the most severe head injuries and can lead to death. A herniation can develop as a consequence of any of the injuries above. A herniation occurs when the skull’s pressure shifts the brain tissue. When this happens, the brain tissue is unable to function. As a result, patients can stop breathing, leading to death.

Once the diagnosis has been made, the treatment process will begin. The doctor will use medications to control the patient’s blood pressure and reduce pain. The physician may also administer IV fluids or use a blood transfusion to provide additional support. Surgery is sometimes required to stabilize the patient’s vital signs.

The recovery process will probably involve physical and occupational therapy when patients leave the hospital. This is used to help individuals regain as much of their motor and sensory function as possible. Individuals need to lean on family members and friends during this challenging time for support, and resources are always available.

The YouTube video below provides insights into whether someone can recover from a traumatic brain injury.

If you suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, our experienced South Lake Tahoe brain injury attorneys at AutoAccident.com can help. Call our legal team today at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 to schedule a complimentary consultation. We offer free, friendly legal advice on how to bring a TBI case for fair compensation

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 8.29.23] Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay dr cha [cs 943]}