Traumatic brain injuries are one of the most common types of head injuries occurring in accidents. Trauma refers to the physical trauma of a blow to the head. However, not all blows will produce the same level of trauma to the head. Some TBIs can be minor, while some of them are major.
Irrespective of the seriousness of the brain injury, you must seek immediate medical attention as soon as you encounter a blow to the head. Determining liability for a traumatic brain injury can be challenging in most cases. However, you must be aware of the types of brain injuries as they can help you to deal with them more effectively.
Different types of brain injuries you should know:
1. Brain contusion
A contusion is also known as a bruise. When encountering a brain contusion, you will likely feel a mild form of bleeding under the skin of your head. Brain contusion can also occur with a concussion, another common type of brain injury.
If you encounter a brain contusion and the bleeding does not stop, you must seek medical support as a priority, as it might need to be removed surgically. The size of the bleed, the duration of the time it lasts, and the location of the injury can be determining factors for the extent of a brain injury.
2. Concussion
A mild traumatic brain injury or concussion is one of the most common types of brain injuries. Concussions are generally caused by a sudden hit or blow to the head. After the blow to the head, three concussions might jolt your brain or shake it severely.
People assume that a concussion only inconveniences the head or brain. However, a concussion can cause lifelong damage. If someone suffers from multiple concussions at once, they will face a higher risk of concussion-related syndrome.
3. Penetrating injury
A penetrating injury can occur when an object penetrates the brain and skull. A penetrating injury can become fatal if medical help is not gathered promptly. Such injuries are known to cause blood clots, severe bleeding, and disrupted oxygen supply to various regions in the brain.
In case of a penetrating injury, you must not remove the object that penetrated the skull. Otherwise, it can lead to worsening bleeding and further damage to the brain. Penetrating injuries have fatal and catastrophic effects. It will be most helpful for you to contact a doctor immediately.
4. Anoxic brain injuries
An anoxic brain injury can occur when the brain does not receive sufficient oxygen to function correctly. The brain cells die within four to five minutes of inadequate oxygen supply. Anoxic brain injuries generally occur due to a blockage. Like other brain injuries, the severity of an anoxic brain injury depends on the areas of the brain affected.