How can you tell if you have brain damage?

Physical symptoms of brain damage include:Persistent headaches.Extreme mental fatigue.Extreme physical fatigue.Paralysis.Weakness.Tremors.Seizures.Sensitivity to light.More items •Aug 3, 2017

How long can you live with brain damage?

These changes may affect a persons ability to function in their everyday life. Despite initial hospitalization and inpatient rehabilitation services, about 50% of people with TBI will experience further decline in their daily lives or die within 5 years of their injury.

What happens to you when you have brain damage?

Even after a minor head injury, brain function can be temporarily impaired and this is sometimes referred to as concussion. This can lead to difficulties such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, depression, irritability and memory problems.

Can you have brain damage without knowing?

Yes. Many people who have problems such as poor memory, difficulties in learning and behavioral issues are unaware they are experiencing symptoms resulting from an “unidentified” traumatic brain injury. An unidentified TBI usually stems from a past trauma, and medical treatment was not sought.

What test shows brain damage?

A CT scan uses a series of X-rays to create a detailed view of the brain. A CT scan can quickly visualize fractures and uncover evidence of bleeding in the brain (hemorrhage), blood clots (hematomas), bruised brain tissue (contusions), and brain tissue swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Can you live a normal life with brain damage?

Unlike most other injuries, a brain injury doesnt simply heal in time and many people who sustain a moderate or severe brain injury will never fully recover to be the person they once were and live the life they once lived. But with the right help, at the right time, there can be life after brain injury.

Does brain damage get worse over time?

The short answer is yes. Some brain injuries do get worse over time. Secondary brain injuries are complications that arise after the initial injury, such as hematomas or infections. Sometimes these injuries cut off blood circulation to certain portions of the brain, killing neurons.

What are the most common causes of brain damage?

CausesFalls. Falls from bed or a ladder, down stairs, in the bath, and other falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury overall, particularly in older adults and young children.Vehicle-related collisions. Violence. Sports injuries. Explosive blasts and other combat injuries.Feb 4, 2021

How do doctors check for brain damage?

A medical exam is the first step to diagnose a potential brain injury. Assessment usually includes a neurological exam. This exam evaluates thinking, motor function (movement), sensory function, coordination, eye movement, and reflexes. Imaging tests, including CT scans and MRI scans, cannot detect all TBIs.

Why do people with brain injuries sleep a lot?

There are chemicals in our body that help us to sleep. An injury can change the way that these chemicals affect the body. If brain mechanisms for starting and stopping sleep are injured, a condition called post-traumatic hypersomnia may result in which a person sleeps many hours more than normal.