Signs Of A Brain Injury – A Parents Guide

Randy Rozek • July 7, 2014

As a parent, I know that I am vigilant if one of my children falls and bumps their head. I know the basic signs of a concussion and when or if I need to take my child to the doctor or emergency room. But I started thinking about what are some of the signs that aren’t as easily recognized. With a brain injury some signs and symptoms might appear immediately after the incident while others could take days or more to show up.

First, a brain injury, also known as a traumatic brain injury, is defined as an injury that occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. This occurs typically with a violent jolt or blow to the head, a car accident, for example. Mild traumatic brain injuries may cause temporary dysfunction of the brain, while more serious traumatic brain injuries can cause more damage that can lead to permanent complications or death.

Some of the symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes, being dazed and confused, having a headache, nausea or vomiting, drowsiness, issues with sleeping or sleeping more than usual, or being dizzy and off balance. There could also be a sensitivity to light, ringing in the ears, blurred vision or even problems with the ability to smell, mood swings, or even have memory problems.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can have any of the above, as well as the following: persistent headache that won’t go away, loss of consciousness for more than a few minutes, repeated vomiting, convulsions or seizures, pupils dilated, clear fluids from the nose or eyes, loss of coordination, and numbness in fingers or toes. Having profound confusion, slurred speech, or slipping into a coma are also other symptoms of having a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury.

Symptoms in children could be different because children oftentimes lack the ability to communicate effectively. Some signs to watch for are a change in eating or nursing habits, an inability to be consoled and crying without stopping, unusually irritable, a change in the child’s ability to pay attention or their sleep habits, being sad or depressed, or a loss in interest in favorite toys or activities.

Regardless of the symptoms, always see a doctor if a child has had a blow to the head. It is better to be safe than sorry. As always, call you doctor if you have any questions, as this list is not to be used as an all-inclusive list of symptoms and signs of a brain injury.