Fact 4: The Wide Spectrum of TBI Symptoms
The next fact to unpack about Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is its symptoms. People often overlook TBI because its symptoms can range from subtle to severe and may not present immediately following the injury. Understanding these symptoms can help in early detection and treatment, thus minimizing the long-term impact of TBI.
Mild TBI or concussion can cause symptoms like headache, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue, a change in sleep patterns, and mood changes. Some people may experience difficulty with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.
Moderate to severe TBIs can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, along with others that may appear within the first hours to days after the head injury. These include persistent headache, repeated vomiting, seizures, inability to awaken, dilation of one or both pupils, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the limbs, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.
Symptoms in children can be challenging to recognize as they may not communicate how they feel. Parents or caregivers should look out for symptoms like changes in eating or nursing habits, persistent crying and inability to be consoled, unusual or easy irritability, change in ability to pay attention, change in sleep habits, sadness or depression, and loss of interest in favorite toys or activities.(4)
