Ever bonked your head on something and shrugged it off as no big deal? Next time it happens, it’s worth paying close attention because a traumatic brain injury can occur with even a minor hit to the head.
People of all ages can experience traumatic brain injuries, often called TBIs. While TBIs can be mild and have no lingering effects, they can also be serious and even life-threatening. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 70,000 TBI-related deaths occur each year.
Knowing the signs of a traumatic brain injury can help you know when to seek medical attention. Dr. Nicholas Taylor, a surgical critical care specialist with University Health, shares some information about traumatic brain injuries and how to recognize them.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen
“A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain and head that’s caused by a trauma,” Dr. Taylor said. “That trauma can be to the body and to the head itself.”
When you think about head injuries such as concussions, you may think about them happening to athletes after a particularly rough tackle or collision. TBIs are common among athletes, particularly in contact sports, but they also affect people in everyday life.
Brain injuries range from mild to severe. The most common forms of traumatic brain injuries happen in car crashes, (especially in young adults) and in falls (especially in older adults).
Dr. Taylor notes that it’s not just the moment of impact that determines the level of injury, but what's happening within the head in the moments leading up to it.
“Rotation of the head and the deceleration when you hit have more to do with the injury than the actual impact,” Dr. Taylor said.
Traumatic Brain Injury Signs & Symptoms
Not every hit to the head causes traumatic brain injury. However, it's still important to pay attention to how you feel after an incident.
If you hit your head, watch for:
- Any new neurological symptoms, such as balance problems or slurred speech
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Confusion and brain fog
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Headache
- Hearing problems
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Unequal pupil sizes
- Vision changes, such as blurry vision
- Vomiting
Some of these symptoms, such as a headache or blurry vision, may develop and resolve within hours after hitting your head, while others may linger for longer.
What to Do After a Head Injury
If you hit your head and experience any of the symptoms outlined above, it’s best to have your symptoms evaluated by a medical professional. A medical provider can review your symptoms and determine the best next steps.
Specific symptoms are a red flag that emergency attention is needed, so call 911 or seek emergency care if you or someone else experiences a head impact and any of these symptoms:
- Headache that worsens or won’t go away
- Inability to rise
- Loss of consciousness
- One pupil is larger than the other
- Repeated episodes of vomiting
- Seizure
- Slurred speech
- Weakness, numbness or decreased coordination
If your child experienced a head trauma, watch for signs like crying that can’t be soothed and not wanting to nurse or eat. Kids, especially young ones, can’t always express what they’re feeling, so you’ll need to pay close attention to how they’re acting.
Learn more about our Level I pediatric trauma center, the only one in South Texas.
What You Can Do to Prevent TBIs
“It isn’t always possible to prevent injuries, but when it comes to head injuries, many of them are preventable,” said Dr. Katie Wiggins-Dohlvik, pediatric trauma surgeon and medical director of the pediatric trauma center at University Health. “Knowing what commonly causes brain injury can help you prevent it.”
Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury, especially among older adults. One in three adults older than 65 falls at least once in any given year.
Other common causes of TBI include:
- Assaults and violence
- Blunt trauma, including sports-related collisions or contact
- Explosions and blasts
- Vehicle-related injuries
Take steps to prevent falls and brain injuries by:
- Clearing clutter from the home to lower fall risk
- Installing proper lighting throughout the home, particularly around stairs
- Making sure rugs are firmly adhered to the floor
- Never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Using proper technique and form while exercising or playing a sport
- Wearing a helmet when appropriate
- Wearing a seatbelt when you’re in a motor vehicle
- Wearing sport-specific safety equipment during practices and games
When is a helmet needed? It’s essential always to wear a helmet when:
- Riding a bike, motorcycle or horse
- Using skates, a skateboard or a scooter
- Batting or running the bases in baseball and softball
- Participating in a contact sport
Emergency Care at University Health
When an emergency occurs, find the emergency and trauma care you need at University Health.
University Hospital is the only Level I trauma center in South Texas to treat adult and pediatric patients, verified by the American College of Surgeons.
Injury Prevention at University Health
We want your family to stay safe year-round — and that starts with injury prevention.
You can learn more about Injury Prevention at University Health for kids and adults on our website.
