You’ve no doubt experienced times in your life when you don’t feel well but aren’t exactly sure what’s causing the problem. There are certain circumstances where you might think one thing is wrong — something minor, perhaps — when, in fact, there’s a more serious, underlying problem of which you are unaware. It’s always best to visit your primary care physician or a California hospital for a medical diagnosis.
For instance, you could be involved in a motor vehicle collision or a sporting accident. In the immediate aftermath of the incident, you might think that you have only suffered minor injuries, perhaps a few bumps or bruises and a headache. The reason it’s best to seek a medical examination is that a symptom such as a headache can be the sign of a traumatic brain injury.
What are other symptoms of brain injury?
The fact that you have a headache after a car accident or after being in a sporting accident, falling down stairs or any other type of blunt force incident means you’re at risk for concussion, as well as other serious brain injury. The following list shows symptoms that would prompt most physicians to run tests to rule out brain trauma in a patient who recently hit his or her head:
- Blurred vision
- Tinnitus (ringing in ear)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Impaired speech
- Mood swings
- Sleep or appetite disturbances
You don’t even have to hit your head to suffer a traumatic brain injury. If you were in a collision or accident where your body was jolted or jarred forward and back or side-to-side, it’s possible that you could have a severe brain injury.
Traumatic brain injury can have long-term repercussions
If you recover from a concussion or other brain injury, it doesn’t necessarily mean there will be no after-effects. In fact, studies show that people who have suffered a brain injury are much more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Such conditions may not be apparent for 20 or 30 years after the initial head injury.
If another person’s negligence was a direct cause of injury
When another person, such as a driver with whom you were sharing the road, exhibits negligence that causes an accident resulting in your injuries, you are able to seek financial recovery for your losses.
Medical care is expensive. If you have a brain injury, you might need surgery, intense rehabilitative therapy or specialized daily living assistance, all of which can cause financial distress. If another person’s negligence caused your injury, you shouldn’t have to bear the full financial burden associated with the incident.