When you take a hit to the head, the first thing you want to be wary about is the possibility of a brain injury. These injuries can range from mildly severe to extremely traumatic. In particular, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the worst. You can suffer lifelong repercussions from these injuries.
So what signs should you keep an eye out for that will let you know you are dealing with a TBI? In particular, what are the physical signs that may indicate such trauma?
Outwardly visible signs
Mayo Clinic examines physical symptoms of TBIs. These are among the first that most victims or the surrounding individuals notice. Some signs are incredibly obvious, such as disordered consciousness. This includes things like blacking out, passing out or even falling comatose.
Other outwardly visible signs include unevenly dilated pupils and the drainage of clear liquid from the nose and ears. You may notice that a victim has trouble concentrating and focusing their eyes as well.
How does the victim feel?
Pay attention to how a victim says they feel, too. Many complain about nausea or may vomit. Others suffer from severe headaches that only worsen over time, which might result from the building pressure of a swelling brain.
Sensory disorders also happen somewhat frequently. These are sometimes small and hard to notice, or sometimes large and hard to ignore. Examples include tinnitus (ringing of the ears) and trouble smelling or tasting things properly.
Finally, nerve damage may also occur. This often manifests in numbness or tingling in outer extremities, especially the hands and feet. Any of these symptoms could point to a TBI and thus, you should get immediate medical attention.
