What are the Risk Factors for Suffering Permanent Brain Damage After a Concussion?
A violent blow or jolt to the head can cause a concussion. A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. While concussions can be minor and temporary in nature, a severe blow to the head can cause permanent brain damage. Permanent brain damage can be caused by a lack of oxygen from swelling, a brain bleed, or stretching of cells or tissue from an injury.
There are some things that can worsen a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and cause serious complications. Here are some things you should know to see if you or a loved one has a high risk of developing permanent brain damage after a concussion.
Who Has the Highest Risk?
The two main factors are age and gender. Adults age 65 and older have the greatest risk of being seriously injured from a traumatic brain injury. They are most likely to be hospitalized and die from a TBI. They are most likely to suffer one after a fall. Overall, those over the age of 50 do not do as well following a TBI when compared to younger victims.
Also, serious TBI rates are much higher for men than for women. Men are almost three times more likely to die from a TBI than women.
The extent of the damage is another factor. Permanent brain damage is tied to a loss of oxygen. How long was the brain deprived of oxygen? A shorter period of time means a better chance of recovery. The amount of time unconscious is also tied into this. The longer the coma, the higher the chance of experiencing permanent brain damage.
The location of the injury in the brain can also predict the victim’s outcome. For example, damage to the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, or basal ganglia is most likely to cause physical effects. Damage to the occipital lobe is linked to blindness and other visual problems. A person can suffer memory problems if there is damage to the hippocampus. Frontal lobe injuries can result in emotional issues and changes to personality. Damage to the pituitary gland can cause excessive tiredness, muscle weakness, decreased sex drive, weight gain, headaches, low blood pressure, and dry skin.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) can determine if a permanent brain injury is likely to occur. The EEG displays the electrical activity of the brain, and those with a normal EEG in the early days after a brain injury have a very good chance of making a full recovery. On the other hand, those with abnormal EEGs will likely have severe disabilities or not survive at all. MRI and DTI imaging also can locate areas of brain damage and help correlate the damage, with the type of loss of function our clients may have sustained.
Contact Our Kansas Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Concussions and post-concussion syndrome are traumatic brain injuries. Any loss of a sense, memory loss, or cognitive deficits can result. A concussion can cause a wide range of effects, from dizziness to headaches to nausea to speech and memory problems. In severe cases, it can cause permanent brain damage.
If your concussion was caused by someone else’s negligence, get the help you need from the Kansas personal injury attorneys at Neustrom & Associates. No matter how difficult your case is, our lawyers can help you. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling (785) 825-1505.