People who suffer from a traumatic brain injury often have to worry about long-term effects. These can range from minor inconveniences to life-altering impacts. The area of the brain that’s injured and the severity of the injury play primary roles in what any particular victim is compelled to deal with.
For some people, these effects make it difficult to impossible to continue with normal life. Working might become extremely challenging, and some people may not be able to continue working.
Physical Effects
The physical effects of a TBI can make it hard for them to take care of themselves. Some of these can make it hard for them to live life to its fullest.
- Chronic headaches: People who have experienced a TBI might suffer from recurring headaches or migraines for several years after the injury.
- Seizures: A TBI can increase the risk of developing epilepsy or seizures due to scarring or damage in the brain tissue.
- Muscle weakness or spasticity: TBI can result in muscle weakness, stiffness or uncontrolled movements, making it difficult to perform daily activities.
- Balance and coordination issues: Damage to the brain can impair one’s balance and coordination, leading to an increased risk of falls and difficulty in performing tasks that require fine motor skills.
- Sleep disorders: TBI can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, sleep apnea or excessive daytime sleepiness.
- Sensitivity to light and sound: Some individuals may develop increased sensitivity to light and sound causing discomfort in bright or noisy environments.
These symptoms may be very pronounced immediately after the injury, but they may abate as time progresses. Physical and occupational therapy may help an individual to mitigate these challenges.
Cognitive Effects
Cognitive abilities are concerned with how a person thinks. These impacts are sometimes the most difficult to deal with after a TBI because they are “invisible.”
- Memory problems: A TBI can lead to short-term or long-term memory loss, making it difficult to recall information, learn new things, or create new memories.
- Difficulties with attention and concentration: TBI can impair the ability to focus, resulting in easy distractibility and difficulty completing tasks.
- Problem-solving and decision-making issues: TBI patients may have trouble with tasks that require logical thinking, planning and organization.
- Slower cognitive processing: The speed at which a person processes information might be reduced, making it challenging to understand and respond to situations quickly.
Accommodations at work, such as having written instructions, may help to make these impacts easier to cope with. Ultimately, these injuries can make life much more difficult than it was prior to sustaining harm. Seeking compensation may help to reduce the financial impacts of a TBI, if an injury was caused by another’s negligence, recklessness or intentional conduct.