Brain injuries have the capacity to impact most aspects of your life, from your ability to earn a living to your ability to communicate with those you love. In most cases, traumatic brain injuries result from a serious or violent blow to your head or body, and the most common causes of these head injuries are falls.
According to the Mayo Clinic, TBIs range from mild to severe, and while a mild TBI may impact you only temporarily, a moderate or severe one may have lifelong effects. The first step in managing a TBI is recognizing that you have one. So, it is critical that you learn to identify the signs of these serious head injuries.
Signs and symptoms of mild TBIs
When you fall and experience a mild TBI as a result, you may lose consciousness for a brief period. You may also experience headaches, vomiting episodes, fatigue, drowsiness, or speech or sleep issues, among other possible physical symptoms.
You may also notice changes in your mood after a fall-related TBI. You may find that you have memory lapses, or you may begin to have trouble concentrating. You may also feel depressed or anxious after suffering a mild TBI.
Signs and symptoms of moderate-to-severe TBIs
If you lose consciousness for several minutes or even hours following a fall, you may have a more serious head injury. Other common signs include convulsions, seizures, coordination issues, sensory issues or fluids that drain from your nose or ears, among other symptoms.
On the cognitive side, you may find yourself unusually confused, agitated or combative following a moderate or severe TBI.
