In 2023, it was estimated that there were around 68,665 deaths in the United States due to traumatic brain injury (TBI). The statistic illustrates the estimated number of traumatic brain injury-related deaths from 2000 to 2023.
Medical malpractice concerns a wide range of brain injuries. Each injury has its own set of complications and consequences over time.
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Here are the different types of brain injuries that you should be aware of:
Concussions
Concussions occur when a head injury or sudden direction shift causes the brain to violently move inside the skull. It can alter brain function and cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, and concentration difficulties.
Do not hesitate to see a doctor if you think you experienced a concussion. Your physician will perform a health checkup on you and determine a recovery plan for you. Returning to physical or cognitive activities too soon may aggravate symptoms.
Healing timeframes vary since every concussion case is unique. Athletes, sportspeople, and those at risk of brain trauma should know and understand the dangers of concussion. People who are aware of the dangers of concussions are more likely to take precautions to avoid them.
Contusions
Contusions are another form of traumatic brain injury that is frequently overlooked. Brain contusions refer to injuries that bruise the brain. Falls, accidents, or head impacts are the common causes of brain contusion. Broken blood vessels in the brain poked by a contusion induce bleeding and edema.
Symptoms of contusions may occur shortly after injury. In some cases, a slight loss of consciousness may even occur. It is important to get medical help immediately if you suspect contusion injury.
Medical professionals diagnose contusions using imaging tests that include CT scans and MRIs. Treatment often involves monitoring the symptoms and pain management. In some cases, surgical intervention is used to reduce pressure on the brain.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be any injury resulting from an external force while the brain is functioning normally. TBI can result from a fall, a car accident, or a sports injury. Symptoms range from mild concussion to severe brain damage. A TBI affects cognitive abilities, emotions, and bodily functions.
Failure to prevent or treat a TBI can lead to far worse outcomes. A lack of appropriate medical care would lead to long-term consequences such as difficulty concentrating, memory loss, and mood swings.
Some people have suffered from TBI due to medical negligence. Charlotte NC medical malpractice lawyer S. Cramer Lewis recommends seeking legal advice if medical negligence has resulted in a traumatic brain injury (TBI) for you or a loved one. Knowing your rights will help secure a fair compensation and protect your rights and well-being.
Anoxic Brain Injury
Oxygen deprivation causes anoxia, which destroys the brain over time. Medical malpractice can occur when invasive treatments and procedures result in ineffective anesthesia delivery, undetected vital signs, and delayed resuscitation during a medical emergency.
The degree of injury acquired from anoxic impact will depend on how long one was deprived of oxygen. Symptoms include confusion, memory loss, inability to concentrate, seizures, or even loss of consciousness.
Severe cases can lead to lifelong coma or impairment. Legal representation can help address medical malpractice by pursuing legal action to recover compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, and emotional distress.
When filing a medical malpractice claim, it is important to act quickly.
Hypoxic Brain Injury
Compared to anoxia, which is the lack of oxygen in the brain, hypoxic brain injuries result from low oxygen levels. This type of injury usually occurs during surgery.
As the oxygen levels drop, the brain cells will start dying. The lack of blood flow will cause severe damage over time. A few minutes is all it takes for certain abilities or functions to shut down, which is why it is important to take hypoxic brain injuries seriously. Sudden behavioral changes or mood swings can manifest following a hypoxic brain injury.
If you think you have hypoxic brain injury, get medical assistance immediately. Doctors will examine the damage and formulate a treatment plan to help minimize future complications. Rehabilitation therapies may take time to restore some of the lost functions.
Subdural Hematomas
Subdural hematomas are caused by brain trauma and can form between the brain’s surface and outer coating.
Depending on the severity of the injury, signs of subdural hematomas can appear quickly or gradually.
Timely diagnosis and treatment are key to addressing this type of brain injury.
Intracranial Hemorrhages
Intracranial hemorrhages are one of the most devastating brain injuries. This type of injury requires immediate medical treatment. Blood vessels rupture in the skull due to head trauma or medical incompetence, such as not monitoring a patient after surgery or mishandling anticoagulants.
Cerebral hemorrhages can rapidly raise intracranial pressure, causing brain injury and death.
Doctors typically use radiological imaging like CT scans or MRIs to check the site and extent of brain bleeding. Treatment might include drugs to monitor the situation or surgery to relieve tissue pressure or remove clotted blood.
Post-Concussion Syndrome
Post-concussion syndrome (PCS), a complex disorder of lingering symptoms, often afflicts individuals following concussion. These lingering symptoms can last for several weeks, months, or even longer.
PCS symptoms may include headache, dizziness, fatigue, and inabilities in concentrating. Additional symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, tend to overwhelm your recovery process. The symptoms of PCS are unpredictable and can easily drain you if you do not know what to do. Consult a skilled medical professional to address these problems.
Neuropsychological Disorders
Neuropsychological disorders result from brain injuries and can impact how one thinks, feels, and behaves. Most are accompanied by cognitive impairment, emotional dysregulation, and personality changes. These disorders will prevent you from thinking clearly and may cause confusion.
You might experience anxiety, depression, or mood swings, which makes it difficult for you to manage your feelings.
These changes might strain your interactions with family and friends, especially if they do not understand what you’re going through.
Cerebral Edema
Brain edema results from excess brain fluid accumulating in the cerebral cavity and raising intracranial pressure. It is a life-threatening condition that might result from external brain damage, infection, or medical negligence. When the brain swells, it compresses key structures, disrupting functionality and causing serious harm to the victim.
After a medical procedure, anyone with severe headaches, confusion, or behavioral changes should contact their local healthcare professional. Ignoring cerebral edema symptoms increases the risk of permanent impairment or death.
Understanding when to act and seek immediate medical help will improve the outcome of a cerebral edema.
The brain would usually be scanned using imaging techniques such as CT scans or MRIs, in case it is assumed that the patient would be suffering from cerebral edema. To determine if a patient is suffering from brain edema, doctors will use imaging techniques such as CT scans or MRIs.
Conclusion
Do not hesitate to consult a medical professional if you feel that something is wrong after a medical procedure. Understand and know your rights as a patient to avoid serious medical risks like impairment or even death.