People with post-concussion syndrome experience
headaches, dizziness, mood changes, decreased concentration, memory problems
, and other concussion-like symptoms for months or even years after their head trauma. These symptoms can make it hard to maintain a job and keep up with your daily responsibilities.
Can a head injury affect you later in life?
“Repetitive head injuries can be the result of physical abuse, car accidents, multiple falls. You
may be at risk for CTE
[chronic traumatic encephalopathy] later in life.” CTE and related head injuries can lead to short-term memory problems and difficulty in making reasoned judgments and decisions.
Can a head injury affect you years later?
While most people are symptom-free within two weeks,
some can experience problems for months or even years after a minor head injury
. The more severe the brain injury, the more pronounced the long-term effects are likely to be.
What are the long-term effects of a head injury?
The long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injury can be anything but mild.
Migraines, dizziness, depression, and cognitive impairments
are just a few of the secondary effects that may accompany a mild TBI. They can last for months, and sometimes even years post-injury.
Do head injuries cause permanent damage?
Common causes include car or motorcycle crashes, falls, sports injuries, and assaults. Injuries can range from mild
concussions to severe permanent brain damage
. While treatment for mild TBI may include rest and medication, severe TBI may require intensive care and life-saving surgery.
Can a head injury cause headaches years later?
Headaches after TBI can be long-lasting, coming and going even past one year
. Headaches can make it hard for you to carry out daily activities or can cause you to have more difficulty thinking and remembering things.
Can concussions cause problems later in life?
However, severe or repetitive concussions are likely to result in long-term consequences. Can a concussion cause permanent memory damage?
Yes
, permanent memory damage and dementia are symptoms of CTE, which is triggered by multiple concussions.
What is the most common complication of a head injury?
The most common short-term complications associated with TBIs include
cognitive impairment
, difficulties with sensory processing and communication, immediate seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, vascular or cranial nerve injuries, tinnitus, organ failure, and polytrauma
What are at least 5 symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury?
| Physical Thinking and Remembering Sleep | Dizziness or balance problems Feeling slowed down Sleeping more than usual | Feeling tired, no energy Foggy or groggy Trouble falling asleep | Headaches Problems with short- or long-term memory | Nausea or vomiting (early on) Trouble thinking clearly |
|---|
How long can a head injury affect you?
While most people are symptom-free within two weeks, some can
experience problems for months or even years after
a minor head injury. The more severe the brain injury, the more pronounced the long-term effects are likely to be.
Can the brain heal itself after trauma?
Fortunately, the brain is incredibly resilient and possesses the ability to repair itself after a traumatic injury. This ability is known as
neuroplasticity
, and it’s the reason that many brain injury survivors can make astounding recoveries.
Does TBI shorten your life?
Even after surviving a moderate or severe TBI and receiving inpatient rehabilitation services,
a person’s life expectancy is 9 years shorter
. TBI increases the risk of dying from several causes. Compared to people without TBI, people with TBI are more likely to die from: 57% are moderately or severely disabled.
Do traumatic brain injuries get worse over time?
The short answer is
yes
. Some brain injuries do get worse over time. Secondary brain injuries are complications that arise after the initial injury, such as hematomas or infections. Sometimes these injuries cut off blood circulation to certain portions of the brain, killing neurons.
How long after head injury can symptoms occur?
In most people, symptoms occur
within the first seven to 10 days
and go away within three months. Sometimes, they can persist for a year or more. The goal of treatment after concussion is to effectively manage your symptoms.
What happens if you hit the back of your head?
A hard blow to the head can shake your brain inside the skull. The result:
bruises, broken blood vessels, or nerve damage to the brain
. A hard hit that doesn’t cause bleeding or an opening in your skull could be a closed brain injury. An open brain injury is when an object penetrates the skull and goes into your brain.
How can I tell if a head injury is mild or severe?
- Mild head injury: Raised, swollen area from a bump or a bruise. Small, superficial (shallow) cut in the scalp. …
- Moderate to severe head injury (requires immediate medical attention)–symptoms may include any of the above plus: Loss of consciousness.
