Any time that you suffer head trauma, you can experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These are potentially catastrophic injuries that could result in cognitive function issues that may impact all aspects of your life.
From concussions to diffuse axonal injuries, there are numerous types of brain injuries that you can experience in Missouri. Here’s what you need to know about these and what symptoms they could cause.
Concussions
Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that occur when an external force causes your brain to move or twist in your skull. This affects neurotransmitters, resulting in chemical changes that impact your thinking, moods, and even your personality.
Concussion symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Concentration problems
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Ringing in the ears
- Blurry vision
Concussions typically don’t result in lasting damage, though they can make you more prone to sustaining further similar injuries in the future. The most common causes of concussions in Missouri tend to be car accidents and falls.
Cerebral Contusion
Cerebral contusions are bruises that occur on the brain tissue. A blow to the head, for example, can cause blood vessels to rupture, resulting in swelling and increased pressure inside the skull. These injuries often affect the frontal and temporal lobes because of the skull’s natural ridges located there.
With a cerebral contusion, you can experience:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Balance problems
- Vision changes
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Fatigue
- Personality changes
With a mild case, you may not have many symptoms, but more severe contusions can result in lasting issues with speech, concentration, and memory. Direct blows to the head and coup-contrecoup trauma commonly cause these injuries.
Hematomas
Cerebral hematomas refer to the collection of blood within the skull. An intracerebral hematoma happens when you bleed directly into the brain tissue.
With a subdural hematoma, the blood collects between the brain’s outer lining, or dura mater, and the arachnoid membrane, which is one of the meningeal layers. An epidural hematoma occurs when you have bleeding between the skull and the dura mater.
Cerebral hematomas can cause symptoms such as:
- Severe headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Loss of consciousness
- Weakness
- Numbness
In severe cases, it can result in paralysis on one side of the body. Hematomas generally require immediate medical assistance.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Diffuse axonal injuries are some of the most serious brain injuries you can suffer. They are the result of sudden shaking, which tears the long nerve fibers in the brain’s white matter. These are called axons. The shearing disrupts nerve communication and can lead to coma and death.
Milder cases can cause symptoms similar to other brain injuries, including confusion, headaches, and memory problems. More severe ones can lead to prolonged unconsciousness and the risk of falling into a coma.
Penetrating Injuries
While brain injuries like concussions and hematomas are usually blunt ones, you can also sustain penetrating TBIs. These occur when an object pierces the skull and cuts into brain tissue. Everything from bullets to glass can cause these injuries. They can result in widespread damage that could cause a variety of symptoms. All too often, they’re fatal wounds.
Contact Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation With A St. Louis Brain Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury because of another party’s misconduct in Missouri, it’s essential to consult with a St. Louis brain injury attorney to see if you have a case. Brain injuries, especially those that cause lasting damage, can require significant medical care and a long recovery time.
For more information, contact the best personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO at Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers. We proudly serve all throughout Missouri, including St. Louis County, and we have offices in St. Louis, Chesterfield, Clayton, and Creve Coeur.
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – St. Louis Office
1010 Market Street, Suite 1605
St. Louis, Missouri
(636) 519-0085
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Chesterfield Office
400 Chesterfield Center Suite 600
Chesterfield, MO 63017
(636) 999-9587
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Creve Coeur Office
11628 Old Ballas Rd, Suite 320
Creve Coeur, MO 63141
(314) 557-2869
Roach Law Car Accident Lawyers – Clayton Office
7733 Forsyth Blvd, Suite 1100
Clayton, MO 63105
(314) 804-4569
