Signs & Symptoms
A traumatic brain injury can cause many different symptoms. Just as every person’s brain is different, the symptoms, effects, and recovery time also differ. Symptoms depend on the location of the brain that is affected and severity. For example, trauma to the frontal lobe (most common location) may cause language and motor dysfunction, whereas trauma near the brain stem may cause autonomic dysfunction. A characteristic general sign of traumatic brain injury is increased intracranial pressure (ICP).
Acute TBI (at the time of trauma, may grow in severity over days-weeks)
Cerebrospinal fluid leakage from ears or nose (otorrhea or rhinorrhea) Dilated/unequal pupils Visual disturbances Dizziness & confusion Apnea or slowed breathing Nausea & vomiting Decreased pulse & low blood pressure Decreased bladder control Seizure, paralysis, numbness, lethargy Loss of consciousness |
Chronic / Long term TBIMild-severe cognitive dysfunction
Decrease in memory & learning skills Loss of coordination Hypertonicity, spasticity Seizures Behavioural & emotional changes Changes in social behaviour, aggression, hostility Stupor, coma, locked-in syndrome, persistent vegetative state Brain death |
Severity
Mild TBI
o It is the most common TBI and is often overlooked o Characteristic symptoms include: loss of consciousness, confusion, and/or disorientation for less than 30 minutes, headache, difficulty thinking, memory problems, mood swings, and attention deficits o Symptoms may be present at the time of injury or may be delayed up to weeks post-injury. o Recovery from symptoms usually occurs within 3-6 months. o CAT scan and MRI results come back normal o Includes: concussion, minor head trauma, minor head injury o For mor information on mild TBI's, check out: Recovering from a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Severe TBI o Characteristic symptom includes: loss of consciousness for up to 6 hours. o Damage can be permanent and lifelong. See Table 1 for one of the most common neurological scales to assess severity of the acute TBI. Brain injuries are classified as: Severe: GCS 3-8 Moderate: GCS 9-12 Severe: GCS 13-15 |
Gould, B. E., & Dyer, R. M. (2011). Pathophysiology for the Health Professionals (Fourth ed., pp. 494-498). St. Louis, MO: Jeanne Olson; Saunders Elsevier Inc.
Werner, R. (2013). A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology (Fifth ed., pp. 201-203). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale.Lancet 1974,2:81-84. PMID 4136544.
Werner, R. (2013). A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology (Fifth ed., pp. 201-203). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness. A practical scale.Lancet 1974,2:81-84. PMID 4136544.