In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries. Acute mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) in adults.

Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Traumatic brain injury: Hope through research.Loss of or altered sense of smell or taste.Paralysis of facial muscles or losing sensation in the face.Traumatic brain injuries at the base of the skull can cause nerve damage to the nerves that emerge directly from the brain (cranial nerves). When a combination of these symptoms lasts for an extended period of time, this is generally referred to as persistent post-concussive symptoms. Sometimes, any or several of these symptoms might linger for a few weeks to a few months after a traumatic brain injury. Many people experience vertigo, a condition characterized by dizziness, after a traumatic brain injury. They may begin within a week after the injury and could persist for as long as several months. Frequent headaches are very common after a traumatic brain injury. This damage could lead to a stroke, blood clots or other problems. Several small or large blood vessels in the brain may be damaged in a traumatic brain injury. An infection of the meninges (meningitis) could spread to the rest of the nervous system if not treated. This can enable bacteria to enter the brain and cause infections. Skull fractures or penetrating wounds can tear the layers of protective tissues (meninges) that surround the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid may build up in the spaces in the brain (cerebral ventricles) of some people who have had traumatic brain injuries, causing increased pressure and swelling in the brain. Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus).Recurrent seizures are called post-traumatic epilepsy. The seizures may occur only in the early stages, or years after the injury. Some people with traumatic brain injury will develop seizures. In a person who has been declared brain dead, removal of breathing devices will result in cessation of breathing and eventual heart failure. When there is no measurable activity in the brain and the brainstem, this is called brain death. It is sometimes a transitional state from a coma or vegetative condition to greater recovery. A minimally conscious state is a condition of severely altered consciousness but with some signs of self-awareness or awareness of one's environment. It's possible that a vegetative state can become permanent, but often individuals progress to a minimally conscious state. Although the person is unaware of surroundings, he or she may open his or her eyes, make sounds, respond to reflexes, or move. Widespread damage to the brain can result in a vegetative state. After a few days to a few weeks, a person may emerge from a coma or enter a vegetative state. This results from widespread damage to all parts of the brain.

A person in a coma is unconscious, unaware of anything and unable to respond to any stimulus. Different states of consciousness include: Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can result in prolonged or permanent changes in a person's state of consciousness, awareness or responsiveness. Traumatic brain injury also results from penetrating wounds, severe blows to the head with shrapnel or debris, and falls or bodily collisions with objects following a blast. Although how the damage occurs isn't yet well understood, many researchers believe that the pressure wave passing through the brain significantly disrupts brain function. Explosive blasts are a common cause of traumatic brain injury in active-duty military personnel. These are particularly common in youth.Įxplosive blasts and other combat injuries. Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by injuries from a number of sports, including soccer, boxing, football, baseball, lacrosse, skateboarding, hockey, and other high-impact or extreme sports. Shaken baby syndrome is a traumatic brain injury in infants caused by violent shaking. Gunshot wounds, domestic violence, child abuse and other assaults are common causes. Collisions involving cars, motorcycles or bicycles - and pedestrians involved in such accidents - are a common cause of traumatic brain injury. Falls from bed or a ladder, down stairs, in the bath, and other falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury overall, particularly in older adults and young children. The degree of damage can depend on several factors, including the nature of the injury and the force of impact.Ĭommon events causing traumatic brain injury include the following: Traumatic brain injury is usually caused by a blow or other traumatic injury to the head or body.

Signs of head trauma in small dogs