No two brain injuries are the same, which is part of what makes it hard to adjust to living with one. When a patient suffers a blow to the head or other injury that causes the brain to swell or be damaged, then they could have significant symptoms. It will take time to know how those symptoms will affect them in the long term, but understanding the areas of the brain that were hurt can help.
Think about it this way. The brain is composed of the cerebellum, brainstem and cerebrum. You also have the right and left sides of the brain. Each hemisphere controls different functions, just as the different sections of the brain control different actions, feelings or aspects of the body. Here’s an example. If you suffer damage to the left hemisphere, you could struggle with speech or writing afterward. If you suffer an injury to the right hemisphere, you may struggle with musical skills or have trouble with spatial abilities.
In the rear, the occipital lobe helps you see. If you hit the back of your head, trouble with vision could be a sign that there is a brain injury to be concerned about. That’s why your symptoms matter so much to the medical team when you arrive.
After you’re involved in a crash or hit your head due to another kind of accident, it’s important for you to seek medical attention right away. If you do not, you could end up suffering serious injuries and have complications from an untreated traumatic brain injury. Our website has more on the steps to take after you seek medical care for your wounds.