Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
A mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when the victim undergoes a period of unconsciousness and/or bewilderment that lasts less than a half hour due to the forceful motion of the head colliding with another object. MRI and CAT scans are normally used to diagnose problems associated with the injury, but they cannot detect side effects like headaches, problems with processing information, memory loss, short attention span, mood swings, and irritation. As a result, these injuries are often ignored my medical personnel. Although this is the least severe form of TBI, the impact that it has on the victim and their family can be overwhelming.
Mild TBI is also referred to as:
- Concussion
- Minor head trauma
- Minor TBI
- Minor brain injury
- Minor head injury
Quick facts
- The most common type of TBI is mild.
- Mild TBI often goes unnoticed at the onset of the injury.
- 15 percent of mild TBI victims experience symptoms for at least one year following the injury.
- Post concussive syndrome refers to the symptoms a victim feels in the aftermath of an injury.
Regular Symptoms of mild TBI
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Impaired eyesight
- Inability to remember things
- Poor attention span
- Inability to sleep through the night
- Vertigo
- Ill-tempered
- Depression
- Convulsions
Additional symptoms related to mild TBI
- Queasiness
- Loss of scent
- Sensitivity to light and loud noises
- Mood swings
- Disorientation
- Delayed comprehension
It may take days or even weeks for these symptoms to appear after the injury occurs. These symptoms are often so discreet that doctors, friends, family, and even the victims may not recognize them. A victim of mild TBI will usually appear and move as if nothing is wrong despite the fact that they are not feeling or thinking normally. This is the reason why mild TBI is easily misdiagnosed. Those that have close personal relationships with the victim often notice there is something wrong before the victim does. Constant aggravation while working or performing household chores may finally convince the victim that they should seek medical assistance.