Brain Injury Victims at High Risk of Developing Other Health Conditions

Head trauma can lead to brain damage that affects cognitive and motor functions. This type of injury can happen to anyone. There are various types of accidents such as slips and falls, car crashes and blows to the head that can cause a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are responsible for nearly 30 percent of all injury related deaths each year.

Brain injuries are often hard to identify, because initially a head injury may not appear to cause brain damage. The signs and symptoms associated with TBI including seizures, problems with cognitive function, and other serious complications can surface days or even weeks after the occurrence of injury. Our Chicago area lawyer explains that TBIs not only have permanent and disabling effects of their own, but they are also linked to a higher risk of other serious long-term medical conditions such as stroke and dementia.

In this post, we will discuss how TBIs can put a victim at a higher risk of developing certain medical conditions.

Stroke

Some studies have found a link between brain injuries and stroke. A head trauma that often results in injury to the vascular system as well. This affects the blood supply to the brain cells. While the immune system is able to repair smaller blood vessels, however, in case a major artery supplying to brain develops a clot or bleeds, it can cause a stroke. Some common symptoms of stroke include:

• Weakness of numbness on one side of the body
• Vision problems
• Confusion
• Headaches

Research published by the University of Michigan Medical School reveals that the risk of stroke increases10 times during the first three months after a head injury.

Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers have been able to establish a correlation between a traumatic brain injury and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease at a much later stage. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition characterized by dementia, gradual loss of cognitive function and memory problems.

According to the Alzheimer’s association, the risk of dementia increases many years after a brain trauma. Research shows that the individuals with history of repeated mild brain injuries experienced a higher risk of dementia. These individuals include football and soccer players. The dementia risk for a person with a history of moderate head traumas goes up 2.3 times, and a severe traumatic brain injury increases the risk by 4.5 times. The person starts experiencing symptoms after age 55.

Head trauma can be a result of negligent or willful acts of another person. In this case, the victim should seek medical and legal help right away. Even if there are no visible signs of injury, you should see a doctor, because there could be long term consequences that can lead to high medical expenses, considerable pain and suffering and loss of quality of life. Seek a Chicago brain injury lawyer’s help to recover financial compensation for the injury.