Anytime you suffer from a blow to the head you are at risk for a traumatic brain injury also referred to as a TBI. After a hit in the head if you experience continual pain in your neck, dizziness, headaches, confusion, loss of memory, vision that is blurred, exhaustion, loss of any of your senses, difficulty speaking or understanding, difficulty moving or controlling your fine motor skills or difficulty chewing or swallowing, you may have a TBI. The symptom list is long and many of these side effects are rare but it is important to know what to look for so that you can seek treatment for a TBI immediately.
Some people do not realize that there is no cure for a TBI. Common causes for a blow to the head involve car accidents, falls and firearms.
If you have been in an accident and it turns out you have a TBI there are many types of treatment you may receive.
1. Initial evaluation – After a blow to the head you will want to see a medical professional immediately to stabilize you.
2. Rehabilitation – A rehabilitative care center can work with you to prepare for the return to daily life.
3. Acute treatment – Works to minimize a secondary injury.
4. Surgery – Surgical treatment helps to reduce the risk of secondary injury because it keeps oxygen and blood flow to the brain while reducing the pressure and swelling in the brain.
The good news is that there are measures you can take to keep yourself safe and avoid a TBI:
Driving in a car –
- Wear a seatbelt at all times
- Put children in a car or booster seat
- Never drive after drinking or using drugs
Preventing a fall –
- Use handrails when climbing stairs
- Make sure walkways and stairs are well lit
- Lock the windows children have access to
- Clean up anything that clutters walkways or stairs
Recreation –
- Wear a helmet when using a motorcycle, snowmobile, bike, skateboard, riding a horse or when participating in contact sports or winter activities such as skating, skiing or snowboarding.
- Store guns used for sport or protection in a different location than the ammunition and leave them unloaded.
Accidents do happen and there will be times when a blow to the head cannot be avoided. However, taking these safety precautions can help ensure that you are not injured needlessly.