Life After Traumatic Brain Injury

    /24-7PressRelease/ - DENVER, CO, February 02, 2007 - The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are unpredictable, and often cause tremendous emotional suffering for victims and loved ones alike. TBI is often characterized by elusive symptoms which do not always appear immediately and may not seem to be related to the injury. Unfortunately, these symptoms and effects can last a lifetime and can spring up unexpectedly. Doctors have a very limited understanding of the complex workings of the brain and how it heals. Even a so-called "mild" brain injury can have serous consequences. The outcome often depends more on the area of the brain that has been affected than on the severity of the injury.

Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological condition which causes seizures. Not all of the causes of epilepsy are known, but it has been estimated that over half of all head injury victims develop epilepsy within one year of injury. There are medications which help to control epileptic seizures, but these medications have side effects, and for some are not effective in tolerable doses. Epilepsy can create life-long safety issues, limiting your employability and enjoyment of life. Many people with epilepsy can never drive or go swimming without supervision, and are at a constant risk of injury from falls and burns.

Frightening Episodes
Blackouts, periods of time when a person is active and seemingly conscious but afterwards has no memory of his or her behavior, are not uncommon after brain injury. Unexplainable thoughts and emotions including depression, unprovoked anger, loss of inhibitions, or an uncontrollable impulse to cry, are also common and can result in frightening outbursts and behaviors. These episodes can lead to dangerous consequences including violent criminal behavior and suicide. Often the symptoms do not start to appear until many months, sometimes years, after the traumatic brain injury.

Personality Changes
For those who do not experience severe outbursts and radical behavior, more subtle personality changes can occur. Cognitive and physical impairments can cause severe depression. Changes in different sectors of the brain can change the way you think and feel. These changes can cause loved ones to start treating you differently. You may even feel like a stranger to yourself.

Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)
A combination of disorders called Post Concussion Syndrome, can occur after trauma to the brain. It only takes mild trauma to cause symptoms of PCS including:

· Memory problems
· Difficulty concentrating
· Slowed mental processing
· Difficulty with abstract thinking
· Impaired attention
· Personality changes
· Irritability
· Confusion
· Apathy
· Fatigue
· Depression
· Restlessness
· Sleep disorders
· Nausea
· Dizziness
· Neck pain
· Headaches
· Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
· Sensitivity to noise
· Sensitivity to light
· Blurred or double vision

PCS has been a hotly-debated subject within the medical community for well over 100 years. Although the symptoms and effects are very real, skepticism, the elusive nature of the symptoms, and the fact that there is little correlation between severity of injury and severity of symptoms, have all made it very difficult for those who suffer with PCS to get adequate support and useful treatment and therapy.

Recovery
Recovery from TBI is unpredictable and can be very frustrating. Often just when you feel like you are really making progress you will experience a setback. All TBI victims, no matter how mild the injury may seem, need the support of their loved ones. TBI recovery is a group event, and it can be hard, both physically and emotionally, for everyone involved. The majority of healing occurs within the first six months after injury, but recovery can last as long as ten years or more. Rehabilitation is a critical part of recovery. Some TBI victims will require full time care for the rest of their lives, but most will be able to return to full or partial activity if they receive the proper care and rehabilitation.

The brain injury attorneys at Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C., represent birth trauma and other medical malpractice victims in Colorado, Wyoming and the Rocky Mountain Region and are available to consult with victims nationwide. With more than forty attorneys in Denver, Colorado, Cincinnati, Ohio, Dallas, Texas and Cody, Wyoming, Burg Simpson has the trial experience and the resources to handle even the most complex birth and brain injury lawsuits. For more information, please visit the Burg Simpson Eldredge Hersh & Jardine, P.C. website by clicking here.

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