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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffYour brain controls your movements, behaviors, thoughts and sensations, so a traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. The immediate physical effects include bruising and swelling. When injured brain tissue swells up, it creates a second, delayed problem — pressure. As the injured tissue expands, it pushes against the skull with increasing force and causes additional damage.
Mild traumatic brain injuries
The signs and symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury (concussion) may include:
- A brief period of unconsciousness
- Amnesia for events immediately before and after the injury
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
- Mood changes
- Memory or concentration problems
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries
If the injury is moderate to severe, the list of signs and symptoms grows to include:
- Persistent headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
- Agitation, combativeness
Children's symptoms
Children with brain injuries may lack the communication skills to report headaches, sensory problems, confusion and similar symptoms. Instead, they may:
- Refuse to eat
- Appear listless and cranky
- Experience altered sleep patterns and school performance
- Lose interest in favorite toys or activities
When to see a doctor
To stay on the safe side, you should always get checked by a doctor if you have suffered a blow to the head. You should seek emergency medical care if signs and symptoms include:
- Convulsions
- Weakness or numbness in the extremities
- Repeated vomiting
- Slurred speech
