Commonly Overlooked Head Injury Symptoms

Head injuries are among the most life-threatening wounds one can sustain, yet their symptoms can be difficult to catch and easy to downplay. It’s important to be able to recognize more subtle symptoms of a possible head injury to accurately diagnose yourself and others. Noticing these signs early could save a life and prevent a lifetime of future complications.

Fatigue and Sleep Problems

Exhaustion or sleep disorders are among the more common symptoms of brain damage and can be difficult to self-diagnose until they persist for weeks or months. Distinguishing whether your symptoms stem from a separate sleep disorder or a head injury can be a challenge, but there are several signs that might indicate something is wrong. They include:

• Sudden difficulty sleeping.
• Sleeping significantly more than usual.
• Fatigue and dizziness.
• Loss of consciousness or awareness for any period of time.
• Inability to wake from sleep.

Balance Issues 

Those with head injuries are likely to experience balance issues, which should be taken extremely seriously. Balance issues present a newfound risk to those who are already wounded and can result in additional injuries if they fall in the shower, while climbing stairs, or while on hard or uneven terrain. If you or someone you know experiences balance issues, they should avoid walking unsupported and seek handrails or other people to help them avoid hurting themselves further while waiting for treatment.

Cognitive Symptoms

As head injuries grow more severe, so too do their symptoms. Experiencing any type of cognitive disorder after an accident can be a sign of a life-threatening brain injury and should never be taken lightly, especially if symptoms persist.

Common cognitive symptoms of brain damage can include:

• Forgetfulness or trouble concentrating.
• Uncharacteristic mood swings.
• Sudden, unexplained depression or anxiety.
• Profound confusion.
• Slurred speech.
• An unexplained bitter taste or bad smell.
• Ringing in the ears.
• Poor object recognition.

Whiplash or a Stiff Neck

Whiplash is one of the most common soft-tissue injuries after a car accident, and usually only sets in hours or even days after the crash. However, brain lesions can follow whiplash in some cases, although the exact correlation between the two isn’t understood yet. On its own, whiplash and a sore or stiff neck isn’t directly indicative of a more serious head injury, but when combined with other symptoms, you should immediately seek medical attention.

Arizona Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

Head injuries can ruin lives and cause more pain and suffering than any other trauma. If you suspect that you or a loved one could have brain damage or a head injury, you should immediately seek emergency medical treatment. Nothing is more important than your safety and well being, and brain injuries often rapidly escalate, are difficult or impossible to undo, and are extremely expensive to treat. Talking to an experienced personal injury attorney is the only way to ensure you receive fair compensation for your condition. Contact us at (623) 877-3600 to schedule a free consultation—we can handle your case for you, giving you time to spend with loved ones and undergo treatment.