Understanding Acquired Brain Injury: Symptoms and Long-term Effects

Brain injuries are anything but uncommon. From sports-related concussions to head injuries from car accidents, some two million Americans experience a brain injury of one sort or another each year. Those with injuries serious enough to warrant hospitalization may overhear the doctors and nurses using the term ‘acquired brain injury' and wonder, "What is acquired brain injury?"

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is an umbrella term encompassing any type of injury which causes damage to the brain after birth. Brain damage from an acquired brain injury can range from mild to severe and can have a lasting impact on a person's physical and/or cognitive abilities. ABIs can result from forces both internal and external. Medical conditions such as a stroke or a brain tumor can cause a variety of different complications that result in damage to the brain such as oxygen deprivation. Similarly, an auto accident or slip and fall can also cause damage to the brain by means of a concussion, contusion, skull fracture or the like.

Some of the most common types of acquired brain injury include: concussion, contusion, skull fracture, and hematoma. Because of the variety of circumstances under which an acquired brain injury can occur, it is important to understand the most common head injuries that would be categorized under the term acquired brain injury (ABO).

Concussion
A concussion describes an injury wherein the brain strikes the inside of the skull. A sudden blow or strike to the head, or even a sudden jolt like whiplash from a car accident, can cause a concussion. Symptoms of a concussion may include headache, nausea, dizziness, and irritability.

Contusion
Similar to a concussion, a contusion results from a blow or jolt of the head; the difference, however, is that a contusion actually causes bruising of the brain and is therefore more severe. Common symptoms of a contusion include: weakness, lack of motor coordination, numbness, aphasia (difficulty speaking), or memory and cognitive problems. If a contusion goes untreated for too long, the swelling of the brain from the bruise may exasperate the damage, so it is important to seek medical attention immediately.

Skull Fracture
A skull fracture describes an injury wherein not only is the brain affected, but the surrounding skin and bone are damaged as well. Depending on the location and harshness of the skull fracture, symptoms can include the inability to complete day-to-day activities such as walking, as well as changes in a person's memory, vision, and behavior/mannerisms. Because of the extent of damage usually associated with a skull fracture, medical attention should always be sought immediately. In many instances follow-up care after discharge will be necessary as well.

What is a hematoma?
A Hematoma describes an unwanted blood collection or pool in the brain. There are two types of hematomas - an epidural hematoma and a subdural hematoma. A epidural hematoma occurs when a blood pool forms between the skull and the covering of the brain; a subdural hematoma occurs when a blood pool forms between the membrane covering the brain and the brain itself. Hematoma victims often experience worsening headaches, vomiting, progressive loss of consciousness, dizziness, pupils of unequal size, weakness in limbs on one side of the body, and increased blood pressure. A hematoma is a serious condition and surgery may be required.

A brain injury can leave both the victim and their family with many unanswered questions. If you or someone you love has suffered an acquired brain injury, our experienced Kansas City brain injury attorneys may be able to help.

You can reach them toll free by calling 1-888-348-2616. James Roswold and his team offer a no obligation free consultation to help answer your questions. You can also download a free copy of the resource guide "10 Essential Steps You Must Take to Protect Your Injury Claim."

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