Protecting The Injured In Arizona For More Than 30 Years

Keep watch for these delayed brain injury symptoms

Perhaps you fell and hit your head, but after a moment, the dizziness and pain faded a bit, and you got up and went about your day. This is a common reaction to a head trauma. However, the brain is a delicate organ, and it could have sustained damage that is more serious than you suspect. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury could take days or even weeks to show up. It is important to seek medical attention after the fall and remain alert to signs you are not functioning the way you normally do. Delayed symptoms could indicate a build-up of pressure due to bleeding or swelling, as well as other serious complications. 

Physical symptoms 

Headache is only one of the multitude of symptoms you may experience after hitting your head. Your headache may not linger, though. Other symptoms of a brain injury include sharp ringing in your ears, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea and vomiting, and weakness or numbness in your extremities. 

Mental symptoms  

The initial dazed feeling may pass shortly after the accident. You may not notice until later that your thoughts feel scrambled, you cannot concentrate and you are having a hard time remembering the instructions your boss gave you long enough to carry them through to the end of the task. Things that you could normally complete without a second thought may seem complicated and difficult to think through. 

Emotional symptoms 

Sometimes, there are emotional side effects to a brain injury. You may find your mood swinging wildly at something that has never been a trigger for you before. Your friends and family may comment that you are overreacting. 

Depression is also common after a brain injury. Keep in mind that although many people associate depression with sadness, it may also manifest as a lack of motivation and loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy.