The term “traumatic brain injury” or TBI refers to the effects of a violent impact to the head following an auto accident. It can also happen in an incident where an object penetrates the tissues of the brain that results in bleeding, tearing, bruising and other damages.
In some TBI patients in auto clinic Hialeah, the effects and damages to the brain cells are temporary. However, there are also cases where TBI can have long-term and serious complications, including disability.
Memory Problems After a Brain Injury
It’s not uncommon for TBI patients to experience memory impairment since parts of the brain that are responsible for memory could be injured by a blow, or jolt from the trauma. Since the brain is made up of soft tissues and it is suspended in liquid, a violent impact can compress, squeeze and displace it inside the skull. This is how TBI happens.
But, it can be unnerving for a person to keep forgetting names or places, or have difficulty following or focusing on a conversation, or experience confusion and difficulty in learning a skill. Aside from memory impairment, doctors at Ritecare auto injury clinic Hialeah listed the following symptoms for TBI patients to watch out for:
- Persistent headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with sleeping
- Dizziness
- Disorientation
- Drowsiness
- Mood changes and depression
- Convulsions
- Slurred speech
Prevalence of Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 1.7 million people across all ages develop TBI every year and 30.5% of these cases are due to an injury. A study in Frontiers of Neurology cited that memory impairment can happen within the first hour of the accident and may worsen within 3-5 days. There are a number of cases, however, that show cognitive deficits even one year after the trauma.
TBI and Long-Term or Short-Term Memory
To be clear, however, TBI patients don’t experience memory impairment the way it is depicted in films or television, according to the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC). They will not have their memories completely wiped out, as in cases of amnesia, but their brain could have difficulty remembering long-term memories, such as the stuff they’ve learned and mastered in school, and short-term memories, such as day-to-day events or new information.
In most cases, TBI impacts short-term or new memories more than long-term memories. But, it’s also not unusual to forget the name of an old acquaintance whose face the patient may still recognize. The TBI patient may not even remember the injury in detail because the brain failed to store those memories as a result of trauma.
Seeing a Doctor at auto injury clinic in Hialeah
At any rate, any incident where a person has experienced a bad blow to the head or body must seek immediate medical attention. Even if the patient did not lose consciousness, it’s best to still undergo tests to determine if there’s a trauma and if the TBI is mild or severe.
The impact of TBI can be so profound regardless of the severity of injury. TBI can change the way a patient’s brain functions thus affecting her choices, decision-making ability, behavior, mobility and independence.
If you have been involved in an auto injury, we strongly encourage you to visit our auto clinic in Hialeah or Contact Us today to receive the care that you need and deserve. For your convenience, you can book an appointment online. For inquiries, call us at (305) 200-1225.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
