Care for Traumatic Brain Injuries

As you live your everyday life, you might occasionally bump your head. In most cases, it's nothing to worry about. But if you experience a more serious trauma like a car accident or a bad fall, you may need the extra care and clarity that comes from a full medical evaluation.

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include headaches, vomiting and seizures. If you experience any of these symptoms or other strange signs after a blow or hit to the head, seek medical attention immediately.

We'll begin with a full physical and discuss the details of your injury, likely using the Glasgow Coma Scale to evaluate the severity of your symptoms.

Depending on what our neurological team uncovers, we may use other diagnostic tools for further testing, such as computed tomography (CT) scans, intracranial pressure monitoring and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

When in doubt, visit us for answers. Head and brain injuries should always be taken seriously, as TBIs can lead to future complications and side effects. We'll help you uncover what's happening and create a comprehensive, personalized TBI treatment plan.

Sometimes, deciding when to seek medical attention is easy, like if you think you broke a bone or have a cough that won't go away. But it can be harder to tell with brain conditions, especially if symptoms don't appear immediately after the initial head injury. That's why it's vital to learn to recognize the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury.

There are varying forms of TBIs, but they're all caused by movement of the brain in the skull or a penetrating injury that causes your brain to bleed or swell. TBIs include concussions, contusions, scalp wounds or skull fractures. They can be considered mild, moderate or severe. Regardless of the level of severity, all TBIs are serious. If you experience any symptoms of a TBI, please seek medical attention.

Symptoms of a TBI may include:

• Confusion
• Convulsions or seizures
• Dilated pupil(s)
• Dizziness
• Excessive sleep or inability to wake up
• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of coordination
• Memory loss
• Persistent headache or headache that worsens
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Vomiting or nausea

Your brain controls every part of your body, from every thought to every step. However, when it comes to caring for a TBI, treatment plans are personal. For some injuries, you may simply need a lot of rest. But in the event of severe head trauma, our team of neurology professionals will work quickly to stabilize you and put you on the right path toward recovery.

TBI treatments include:

• Emergency stabilization
• Medications like diuretics or anti-seizure medicine
• Medication to induce coma to prevent further damage
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Rest
• Surgery to remove clots, repair fractures or relieve pressure on the brain

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury takes time. People who've experienced a TBI may have to relearn skills they'd previously mastered — things like walking, speaking or even holding utensils. No matter your rehabilitation goals, you can lean on us at every step of your recovery. Our TBI rehabilitation team partners with Shirley Ryan AbilityLab to offer world-class physical, occupational and speech therapy to guide you toward healing.