The Dos and Don’ts of Minor Traumatic Brain Injury

People who consider traumatic brain injuries often picture people lying in hospital beds being supported by tubes and machines. While this may be the case in some injuries, it is not true for all. Traumatic brain injury does not have to be severe to have an impact on a person’s life.

Mild traumatic brain injury can occur in a number of instances, none of which have to be overly dramatic. Here are the people most at risk for a mild TBI:

• Persons who have been involved in a car collision or rollover.
• Those who have sustained a blow to the head while playing sports, during a fall, in a workplace incident or via any other cause.
• Someone who has been exposed to some type of blast.

What You Need to Know About Mild TBI

Many people who sustain a severe blow to the head understand that they require medical intervention. When people don’t sustain a hard blow or do not experience symptoms immediately, they may negate seeking medical diagnosis and treatment. It’s important to understand that any jolt to the head indicates the need for a proper diagnosis.

Even when a person seeks medical treatment, they may have normal brain imaging. Those who have mild TBI may experience a loss of consciousness lasting no more than 30 minutes, post-traumatic amnesia, or an alteration of consciousness for the first 24 hours following the injury.

When people are diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury, they are typically diagnosed with the more commonly known “concussion.”

Do’s and Don’ts

When you are diagnosed with mild traumatic brain injury, it is important that you take it easy for a while. Don’t exert yourself while you are in recovery. This includes both mental and physical exertion. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep at night, and stick to a routine. This means sleeping, waking and eating at the same times each day.

Avoid using any downtime you have to play sports or exercise. Do not consume caffeine if you can help it. If you simply can’t make it through your day without your morning cup of coffee, make that the only one you have during the day. Don’t stay up late, and try to rest your brain. In other words, avoid reading, studying or even playing video games.

People sustain mild traumatic brain injury every day and one of the most common causes is vehicle collisions. If you have been involved in a car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention, even if you feel fine.

Any person who has been involved in a car accident in Charlotte may have the right to compensation for property damage and injury. Reach out to our knowledgeable team of car accident attorneys today to schedule a case evaluation. We will review the details of your accident and advise you of your legal options. There is help available for you and your family.