A traumatic brain injury, also known as a TBI, is often a severe, life-changing condition that results from sudden damage to the brain, like a violent blow to the head. TBIs can range from mild to severe, with TBI symptoms varying widely from person to person and case to case.
Understanding the signs of a TBI can empower you to know when to seek timely medical care. This can be critical if your aim is to minimize a TBI’s long-term consequences.
Recognizing the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
It can be difficult to provide a comprehensive list of TBI symptoms because a TBI can manifest in many different ways. However, some common symptoms you should be mindful of are outlined below.
Concussion (Mild TBI)
The symptoms of a concussion include:
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Headache
- Disorientation and general confusion
- Memory issues, like amnesia surrounding the event that caused the concussion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sensitivity to noise and light
- Irritability and mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.
Moderate-to-Severe TBI
The symptoms of a moderate-to-severe TBI can include the above symptoms of a concussion, as well as:
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Repeated nausea and/or vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Slurred speech
- Numbness or weakness in limbs and extremities
- Loss of coordination
- General agitation or displays of combative behavior
- Prolonged unconsciousness or coma
If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms after receiving a head injury, it is wise to seek immediate medical attention.
Diagnosing a TBI
When diagnosing a traumatic brain injury, healthcare providers typically rely on a mixture of tools and resources, including:
- Imaging tests like CT scans
- Physical examinations like assessing the pupils
- Neuropsychological testing
Once TBI is officially diagnosed, a healthcare professional is able to advise a treatment plan to help the patient manage their symptoms or prevent them from worsening.
Regenerative Medicine as a Treatment Option for TBI
Regenerative medicine is an evolving field of treatment methodology that seeks to repair, replace, or regenerate damaged or diseased tissues, cells, and organs. Regenerative medicine is a promising option for TBI patients because it can help stimulate the brain’s natural ability to heal itself.
Regenerative medicine seeks to achieve healing for TBI patients in several ways. One such method is, in which cells are injected into the body to replace damaged brain cells while promoting healthy tissue repair for TBI patients.
If you or a loved one has experienced a traumatic brain injury and are seeking treatment options to manage your condition or prevent its progression, regenerative medicine may be a worthwhile avenue to explore.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for TBI, also known as stem cells for traumatic brain injury. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.