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Sunday, March 29, 2009
What to Do After a Brain Injury
The recent death of actress Natasha Richardson from a traumatic brain injury has many Americans worried. After all, she seemed completely fine after her fall and was talking and laughing on the ski slopes. It wasn’t until hours later that her symptoms developed, and by then, it was too late.
What is even more frightening is that for brain injuries similar to Richardson’s, you may seem fine for days before symptoms begin to appear. When you don’t know that your skull is getting flooded with blood for days, the risk of permanent brain damage or even death is very serious.
Obviously, there is a fine line between erring on the side of caution and being the paranoid person who always goes to the emergency room every time a minor injury takes place. However, with a brain injury, you can never be too cautious. The consequences for waiting to seek treatment may be a matter of life and death. Therefore, it is always a good idea to seek medical attention immediately after sustaining a head injury of any kind.
The following tips will help you know what to do in the event of a brain injury:
Be vigilant. Keep careful watch on a loved one after he or she has sustained a brain injury. Even if nothing seems wrong, it is important to be on the lookout for even the most subtle changes in behavior.
Look for dizziness, vomiting, headaches, and confusion. These are some of the most common symptoms of a brain injury. If your loved one exhibits any of them, go to the emergency room at once.
Look for changes in symptoms and behavior. Anytime a head injury patient exhibits a sudden change in behavior, such as a headache going from mild to severe in a matter of minutes, it is cause for concern. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any sudden changes in behavior or symptoms.
Exercise caution if the injured person has been drinking alcohol or is on blood thinners. Frequently, drunken behavior will closely resemble the symptoms of a brain injury. Also, blood thinners can cause minor bleeding to become profuse bleeding. It is important to seek medical attention to prevent this from occurring.
Go to a certified trauma center if possible. By going to a hospital with a trauma center, you can be certain that a neurosurgeon will be on call. Due to the time sensitivity of these injuries, you want to make sure that the proper specialists are on duty to properly diagnose and treat your injury. The American College of Surgeons can provide you with a list of certified trauma facilities.
The Cochran Firm has the skills and experience to help you receive proper compensation in the event that you suffer a traumatic brain injury. Please contact our brain injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation. We serve clients nationwide.
What is even more frightening is that for brain injuries similar to Richardson’s, you may seem fine for days before symptoms begin to appear. When you don’t know that your skull is getting flooded with blood for days, the risk of permanent brain damage or even death is very serious.
Obviously, there is a fine line between erring on the side of caution and being the paranoid person who always goes to the emergency room every time a minor injury takes place. However, with a brain injury, you can never be too cautious. The consequences for waiting to seek treatment may be a matter of life and death. Therefore, it is always a good idea to seek medical attention immediately after sustaining a head injury of any kind.
The following tips will help you know what to do in the event of a brain injury:
Be vigilant. Keep careful watch on a loved one after he or she has sustained a brain injury. Even if nothing seems wrong, it is important to be on the lookout for even the most subtle changes in behavior.
Look for dizziness, vomiting, headaches, and confusion. These are some of the most common symptoms of a brain injury. If your loved one exhibits any of them, go to the emergency room at once.
Look for changes in symptoms and behavior. Anytime a head injury patient exhibits a sudden change in behavior, such as a headache going from mild to severe in a matter of minutes, it is cause for concern. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice any sudden changes in behavior or symptoms.
Exercise caution if the injured person has been drinking alcohol or is on blood thinners. Frequently, drunken behavior will closely resemble the symptoms of a brain injury. Also, blood thinners can cause minor bleeding to become profuse bleeding. It is important to seek medical attention to prevent this from occurring.
Go to a certified trauma center if possible. By going to a hospital with a trauma center, you can be certain that a neurosurgeon will be on call. Due to the time sensitivity of these injuries, you want to make sure that the proper specialists are on duty to properly diagnose and treat your injury. The American College of Surgeons can provide you with a list of certified trauma facilities.
The Cochran Firm has the skills and experience to help you receive proper compensation in the event that you suffer a traumatic brain injury. Please contact our brain injury lawyers today to schedule a consultation. We serve clients nationwide.
posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 8:18 AM
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