Effects of traumatic brain injuries can last for years, study says

February 28, 2013 (Press-News.org) Effects of traumatic brain injuries can last for years, study says

Article provided by Law Offices of Robert Hamparyan
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major health problem nationwide. According to the CDC, 1.7 million people suffer a TBI each year in the United States alone. TBIs can require expensive and recurring medical treatment and cost the nationwide healthcare system about $52 billion each year to treat.

Although it has long been known that TBIs cause short-term damage to the brain, a recent study suggests that the damage caused by TBI can remain for much longer than previously thought.

Study results

Researchers as the University of South Florida and the James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital found that TBIs, over time, cause the brain to deteriorate. Researchers found that TBI initially causes cell inflammation and impairs the brain's ability to repair itself by regenerating new cells.

The inflammation of the brain can affect the brain for years after the initial injury and continue to cause secondary injuries. Researchers believe that this may mean that long-term TBI sufferers are more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia and Parkinson's disease.

Although further research is required, the researchers theorized that seeking treatment, especially within hours after injury, could help decrease long-term brain damage.

Symptoms of TBI

Those suffering from TBI can present a broad range of cognitive, psychological and physical symptoms after being injured. TBI symptoms can appear immediately after the injury or up to weeks later. The symptoms can be the same regardless of whether the TBI is mild or severe. Some of the common symptoms of TBI are:
-Mild to severe headaches
-Loss of consciousness
-Nausea
-Dizziness or loss of balance
-Inability to focus or concentrate
-Mood swings
-Depression or anxiety

TBIs are commonly caused by car accidents, falls or engaging in contact or high-impact activities such a football or skateboarding. If a person experiences a TBI, he or she may appear to be normal. However, in reality, the person may have lost cognitive abilities and may have suffered injuries that have not yet appeared. It is important to ensure that victims of head injuries seek immediate medical attention.

An attorney can help

The most common cause of TBIs is car accidents--responsible for over 50 percent of TBIs. Unfortunately, many car accidents are caused by the negligence of another such as texting while driving or driving while intoxicated. If you or a loved one have been injured by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to monetary recovery from the responsible parties. Contact a personal injury attorney to learn about your right to compensation.