Just a Bump to the Head? Traumatic Brain Injury May Have Long-Term Effects

Study finds long-term effects from mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions.

2012-08-17

August 17, 2012 (Press-News.org) Any time you receive a bump to the head, you could also receive a concussion. A concussion, or more accurately, a mild traumatic brain injury, occurs when the head is subjected to some type of force or impact that causes the brain to strike the interior of the skull.

There is much variability in the type of accident or impact that can cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI), ranging from falling down and striking one's head, to car accidents and sports injuries to the injuries suffered by military service personnel when explosions occur nearby.

Because the impact may result in no external injuries, it can sometimes be difficult to determine the extent of the injuries caused by a traumatic brain injury. An injured person may appear entirely normal after the incident, and even if they lost consciousness, it is often assumed there is no long-term damage.

New Study Indicates Long-Term Effect for MTBI

A recent New York Times article discussed a new study from the University of Oklahoma of post-concussive behavior of veterans who had been treated for traumatic brain injury during their deployment. The study looked at 500 veterans in a four-year period.

The conclusions were sobering; the effects of a concussion, like dizziness and headaches, which were thought to fade with time, do not improve with the passage of time. The study found that veterans whose traumatic brain injuries had occurred up to eight years before the screening showed no improvement.

Post-Concussive Syndrome

The symptoms of post-concussive syndrome include headaches, dizziness, lack of coordination, difficulty with decision-making and depression. Dr. James Couch, lead author of the study, noted to the Times, "closed-head injuries could be particularly insidious because the veterans look normal but are experiencing pain or cognitive problems that can completely disrupt their lives."

For those whose TBI is not a result of military service in Iraq and Afghanistan, the study is nonetheless significant. Doctors had long assumed that mild traumatic brain injuries improved over time. This study suggests they can in fact become worse.

If you were injured in a car accident, suffered what seemed like a mild concussion, but perhaps blacked out for a short time, you may think that any residual effects you feel, that the headache that is slow in going away, moments of dizziness, increased confusion, are transitory and will eventually fade away completely.

Long-Term Disruption

What happens if they don't? As Dr. Couch noted, these symptoms can "completely disrupt their lives." When you have suffered a head injury or concussion in an accident, you need to make sure you do not minimize any of your symptoms to your doctor and your attorney. Symptoms that may seem minor may be a sign of serious traumatic brain injury.

You need a long-term care plan that encompasses all of the injuries you have suffered to ensure you receive sufficient compensation to provide for what may become years of treatment.

Article provided by Snyder & Wenner, PC
Visit us at www.snyderwenner.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Family Court in West Virginia

2012-08-17

In West Virginia, if you want a divorce, need a paternity determination, are having problems with a child custody or support issue, or are dealing with domestic violence, a family court is where you need to go. The judges also hear cases involving grandparent visitation and can even perform weddings. Family Court and Mediation In an effort to reduce some of the ill effects of divorce cases, the family courts now often send parents involved in a divorce proceeding to an individual pre-mediation screening to determine if mediation would help produce a viable parenting ...

Missouri Supreme Court Strikes Down Medical Malpractice Damage Caps

2012-08-17

Our civil court system has long provided a means for those injured through the negligence of another to seek fair compensation for their injuries. In the event that a doctor's mistake deprives a baby of oxygen and results in a lifetime injury, a family can hold the doctor and possibly clinic responsible through the civil system. At trial, a jury decides if the physician made a mistake, and if so whether the patient should be compensated. But what happens when the jury's power is taken away? Missouri was one of many states that put damage caps on medical liability suits. ...

Preparation and Moderation Make for Safer Boating

2012-08-17

Boating is an enjoyable activity for many in Georgia. It can be even better with some precautions to help ensure the experience is not marred by a tragic boating accident, like the recent hit-and-run collision on Lake Lanier that killed two children. Last year Georgia boaters were involved in 121 accidents that left 77 people injured and 15 dead, according to Department of Natural Resources statistics. Excessive Alcohol and Boating Don't Mix Well In the Lake Lanier incident, an intoxicated 44 year old man crashed his fishing boat into a pontoon boat, killing the ...

The Georgia DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program

2012-08-17

If you have been convicted in Georgia of an alcohol or drug related driving or boating offense, and had your license revoked, you must complete a DUI, Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction (DRR) course before you can have your license reinstated. The program is regulated by the Georgia Department of Driver Services, but the courses are administered by independent, state-certified "DUI schools." DRR Convictions The DRR programs are required for those convicted of: - Driving Under the Influence (DUI) - Possession of illegal drugs - Underage possession of ...

Guardrails and Motorcyclists: A Dangerous and Often Deadly Combination

2012-08-17

A motorcycle driver was recently injured in an accident on Interstate 95 in Stamford. The accident occurred when the motorcyclist crashed into the back of a car. He was rushed to Stamford Hospital to be treated for his injuries, which included lacerations to his face and arms. His motorcycle did not stop until it crashed into a metal guardrail. Motorcycle Accidents and Guardrails Motorcycle accidents are almost always quite serious due to the fact that motorcycle drivers lack the protection afforded to car occupants. When a motorcyclist hits a guardrail, the injuries ...

New York Case Clarifies Meaning of "Possession" of Child Pornography

2012-08-17

In 2007, when James Kent, an assistant professor of public administration at Marist College, found that his work computer was not working like it should, he had a member of the technology department take a look at it. What that technician found landed Kent in prison and led the New York Court of Appeals to rule that just viewing images of child pornography on a computer is not enough to convict a person for possession. While running a virus scan on Kent's computer, the Marist technology department found several photos and videos of nude girls, most of whom, according ...

Medical Evidence Plays a Key Role in Social Security Disability Approval

2012-08-17

Although most healthy adults do not plan for a disability, research shows that the average 20-year-old worker has a 33 percent chance of becoming disabled before retirement. Those that find themselves in this difficult position often have not prepared financially. Thankfully, various state and federal programs are available to offer aid. One of the largest federal programs to help the injured is the Social Security Disability program. When an individual becomes disabled, programs like Social Security Disability can help lessen the financial blow. Although the program ...

Changing the Terms of Your California Divorce Decree

2012-08-17

Most people assume that once a divorce decree -- called in California the "Final Judgment of the Dissolution of Marriage" -- has been filed, the terms of their divorce are set in stone. Generally, that is true, but it isn't always the case. It may be possible for one party to seek a modification of some or all of the terms of a divorce settlement agreement. There are two distinct ways in which a divorce judgment can be changed: - Appealing the judgment to a California District Court of Appeals - Filing a motion to modify the terms of the decree with the ...

The Interplay of Law and Technology

2012-08-17

"Technology-Assisted Discovery" -- better known as "E-Discovery" -- is the cornerstone for the next generation of legal practice. More and more courtrooms are turning to the most up-to-date available to make legal decisions easier and faster while remaining impartial, keeping the proceedings balanced and doing a little something to save the earth. There are several high-profile federal cases presently ongoing -- the best well-known probably being De Silva Moore v. Publicis Groupe before Magistrate Judge Andrew Peck in the Southern District of New ...

Email Snooping During Michigan Divorce Leads to Felony Charges

2012-08-17

When one or both spouses reach the point at which they know that divorce is inevitable, they may not agree on the details or motives. Accusations of infidelity, suspicions about hidden assets or allegations of domestic abuse can lead to protracted divorce litigation in which one or both spouses must aggressively protect his or her interests. Michigan media outlets recently reported on a Rochester Hills couple's attempts to read each other's private emails and text messages. After Oakland County prosecutors investigated allegations that the husband had accessed his wife's ...

Just a Bump to the Head? Traumatic Brain Injury May Have Long-Term Effects

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: