What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object that goes through brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.

Mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily. More-serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain. These injuries can result in long-term complications or death.

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What is the Symptoms of an Traumatic Brain Injury?

 Mild traumatic brain injury 

Physical symptoms

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Fatigue or drowsiness

Sensory symptoms

• Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth or changes in the ability to smell

• Sensitivity to light or sound

Cognitive, behavioral or mental symptoms

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes

• No loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented

• Memory or concentration problems

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries

Physical symptoms

• Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours

• Persistent headache or headache that worsens

• Repeated vomiting or nausea

Cognitive or mental symptoms

• Profound confusion

• Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior

• Slurred speech

Children's symptoms

• Change in eating or nursing habits

• Unusual or easy irritability

• Persistent crying and inability to be consoled