Indications of TBI

Though closed head injuries are not objectively apparent at the time of an accident, common indications that TBI may result are loss of consciousness, inability to recall events immediately before or after the accident, and alteration in mental state immediately following, such as feeling dazed, disoriented, or confused. After an accident, common symptoms of TBI in adults are the following:

Persistent neck pain
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Lapses in attention, perception, judgment, or information processing
Difficulty with memory, concentration, or decision making
Trouble with cognition, abstract concepts, and time and space relationship
Limitations on reading and writing skills
Slowness in thinking, speaking, or taking action
Getting lost or easily confused
Persistent low-grade headaches
Feeling tired all the time, lacking energy or motivation
Problems associated with sleep, such as insomnia or oversleeping
Reduced strength, endurance, and coordination
Onset of tremors or swallowing problems
Feeling light-headed or dizzy
Onset of seizures
Volatility in your mood — apathy, irritability, anxiety, and/or depression
Difficulty maintaining your balance
Increased sensitivity to sounds, light, or distractions
Blurred vision
Reduction of sense of smell or taste

Because children are less aware of their habits and normal functioning than adults, it is important for adults to monitor children carefully if it is suspected that they are suffering from a TBI. Symptoms to look for in children include:

Loss of energy or tiring easily
Reduced interest in favorite toys or activities
Irritability or crankiness
Changes in eating or sleeping patterns
Changes in the manner in which the child plays, both alone and with others
Difficulties at school
Deterioration of recently learned skills
Loss of balance or instability while walking

The exact effects on an individual who suffers a TBI will vary greatly, depending on the force of impact the brain suffered and the location of the injury on the brain. It is important to obtain a thorough medical examination following any accident so as to immediately determine all injuries received. To appreciate the extent of an injury, it is helpful to understand medical scales used to measure injuries involving TBI.

The Glasgow Coma Scale rates a patient's ability to open his/her eyes, and respond to verbal commands and responses. Each level of response indicates the degree of brain injury.

Glasgow Coma Scale
Eye movements	Score
Open spontaneously	4
Open to verbal command	3
Open to pain	2
No response	1
Best motor response to command
Obeys verbal command	6
Best motor response to pain
Localizes pain	5
Flexion - withdrawal	4
Flexion - abnormal	3
Extension	2
No response	1
Best verbal response
Oriented and converses	5
Disoriented and converses	4
Inappropriate words	3
Incomprehensible sounds	2
No response	1

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