Are you aware that brain injury is the foremost cause of disability and death around the world? Out of all kinds of injuries that one may suffer, brain injury has the maximum chance of resulting in permanent disability and death. This is enough reason for anyone to consider an injury to the brain with utmost seriousness. In this article, we tell you how brain injury can impact you.

The most worrisome aspect of a head injury, particularly one that causes traumatic brain injury, is that it can result in dangerous consequences. The worst part is that such an injury can have not just shocking short-term effects but may lead to precarious long-term impact as well. The effect of an injury can depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the injury, how severe the injury was, what kind of treatment was administered, etc. If a brain injury results in permanent brain damage, its impact can last life-long for the victim. In other words, the injury can cast a deep shadow on the life of the victim.       

The consequences of brain injuries can vary from person to person and can impact every aspect of a person’s life, such as the way they feel, think, act, and talk in everyday life. Some of the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury include the following:

● Loss of memory

● Sudden mood swings

● Losing of consciousness

● Losing of sensation in the extremities of the body

● Losing balance

● Going into coma 

● Impaired language speaking ability

● Enhanced risk of seizures or strokes

● Diminished cognitive function

● Partial paralysis

● Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or other such conditions

Every brain injury is unique in some way or the other. You can never come across two brain injuries that are exactly the same. This is because when a brain injury happens, several things impact its severity, such as the force with which the brain gets hit or hurt, the direction at which the force works, the location of the injury, the health of the victim, the treatment applied, the time taken for the treatment to be applied, and many other things. 

All these factors not just contribute to the impact of the injury but to the odds of recovery as well. That is why it can be very difficult to determine the long-term effects of a brain injury, let alone how long the effect of the injury will last. Even doctors who are specialized to handle brain injuries can take months to analyze and determine the full impact of your injury, its long-term effects, and the chances of recovery.

The chances of certain long-term effects of brain injury becoming more severe with time always exist. There can be more than one reason behind this. For instance, such a thing may happen because of the slow degradation of the cells present in the brain. Or, something of this sort may occur due to complications arising from medical conditions or new injuries. This makes it important for the victim of a brain injury as well as his or her caretaker to be vigilant about the conditions that can indicate worsening of the effects. 

When the head receives a sudden, violent jolt or blow, it can result in damage or injury to the brain. Among the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries are the following:

● Accidental falls: Accidental falls are among the highest causes of brain injuries. Brain injuries due to falls are mainly noticed in children below 14 years of age and adults above 65 years of age.

● Blow to the head: Brain injuries are also caused when the head collides with an object or is being struck with an object. Such injuries can be accidental or intentional in nature. But the effect can be quite devastating.

● Motor vehicle accidents: Motor vehicle accidents are another major cause of traumatic head injury. Even car accidents can cause brain injuries. In most cases, the victim may not have been at fault, and yet they have to suffer due to the negligence of another person.  

● Sports injuries: Traumatic brain injuries may result due to the injuries suffered in various types of sports, such as boxing, baseball, soccer, skateboarding, car racing, hockey, etc. Such sports injuries are more common in the youth. 

● Work-related accidents: Work-related accidents are also a significant cause of brain injuries.