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Traumatic brain injuries have multiple severity levels

On Behalf of | Jun 25, 2021 | Personal Injury

Every year in Illinois and around the country, thousands of people experience traumatic brain injuries, otherwise known as TBIs. Though some TBIs are relatively mild, others are severe and life-changing. In the immediate aftermath of a TBI, you might not even know the injury’s level of severity. It’s important to understand what TBIs look like, and it’s vital that you see a doctor to assess the extent of any damage that you have sustained.

Severity levels

TBIs fall within three general categories. Whether someone sustains a TBI because of a fall, a sports injury, a car accident or something else, the damage can range from severe to mild in different cases.

Mild TBIs are what you would call a concussion. Someone gets hit on the head or experiences mild whiplash, and their head feels odd. They might get headaches, feel confused or experience other symptoms, but they feel better pretty quickly. Here are a few other temporary symptoms of a mild TBI:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Balance problems
  • Visual issues
  • Tinnitus

With moderate TBIs, the symptoms last a bit longer. This level might include all the same symptoms as a mild TBI, but there are a few additional symptoms to watch out for:

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Behavioral issues
  • Cognitive issues

In severe TBIs, which might include any of the symptoms listed above, problems last even longer. In some cases, they might be permanent. A severe TBI might be evident from the beginning because it will usually involve extended loss of consciousness. Comas are also possible. These are other symptoms of severe TBIs:

  • Movement issues
  • Memory problems
  • Slurred speech

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