After suffering from a blow to the head, it is important to keep an eye out for potential damage to the brain.
The first signs of traumatic brain injury will likely emerge fairly quickly. It is important to understand what to look for when keeping watch for TBI symptoms.
Physical warning signs
Mayo Clinic takes a look at traumatic injury to the brain. In the first moments after a traumatic brain injury, the most prominent signs are usually physical in nature.
For example, many TBI victims will lose consciousness or even fall into a coma in the minutes after suffering from a blow to the head.
Victims can also experience issues with their senses, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ear or a mixed-up sense of taste or smell.
Nerve and muscle problems also happen. This can include muscle weakness, trouble with coordination, pain, tingling and numbness, along with motor control troubles.
And of course, it is not uncommon for victims of TBIs to have tremendous head pain. This pain will usually maintain at a high level or continue to worsen over time.
Behavioral changes
Though less immediately obvious, behavioral changes also occur in the early stages of a TBI. The most common examples include confusion and increased aggression.
For example, a TBI victim may lash out at others and refuse to seek medical attention with uncharacteristic stubbornness. They may also exhibit panic and an inability to identify their surroundings.
Keeping an eye out for these reactions could help someone identify a TBI even faster and get appropriate medical attention quickly.
