What Does MTBI Stand For?

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MTBI stands for “mild traumatic brain injury.” Concussion, another term for mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), is the most typical kind of TBI. A concussion is a clinical condition that is characterized by an instantaneous and temporary change in brain function. The causes of concussions may include direct head trauma from falls, sports contact, accidents, or other direct hits to the brain. Injuries like whiplash or blasts can also result in the head experiencing fast acceleration and deceleration, leading to a concussion. Mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBIs) can alter brain function, resulting in headaches, exhaustion, confusion, and irritation. If you or your loved one has been in an accident of this nature, you can be faced with a situation that will alter your life and require continuing care. You may be entitled to compensation if someone else’s negligence or carelessness caused this injury.

The most common cause of traumatic brain injury includes a severe blow or jolt to the body or head. Traumatic brain injury may also occur when something, such as a bullet or a broken piece of skull, passes through the brain tissue.  Such an injury can cause the brain to twist or smash about inside the skull, damaging tissue and altering the brain’s chemistry. A TBI can also cause the brain to move about inside the skull, resulting in swelling, bruises, or bleeding, all of which can harm the brain.

Life-altering effects from moderate to severe TBI might include memory loss, personality and cognitive function changes, sleep difficulties, and more. Only 26% of people fully recover from a moderate to severe TBI, while roughly 22% of patients with severe TBI pass away. Undoubtedly, although most are recoverable, mild traumatic brain injuries are dangerous and require a doctor for proper treatment.

What Does “Mild Traumatic Brain Injury” Mean Exactly?

Although head injuries are common, diagnosing a brain injury after incurring one can be difficult. Due to its emphasis on subjective, self-reported symptoms and lack of objective standards, MTBI is particularly challenging to diagnose. Furthermore, the term “mild” in MTBI is misleading because individuals may have a wide range of symptoms. Additionally, the term “mild” does not describe the source of a head injury, such as a severe auto accident. Although all individuals with minor head injuries are included, “MTBI” is usually used synonymously with “concussion.”

In most people, symptoms go away within 3 months. However, some people continue to have symptoms even a year after their injury. Your brain cells may experience temporary damage from a mild traumatic brain injury. Bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, and other physical harm to the brain can arise from more severe traumatic brain injury. These injuries may cause long-term problems or even death.

Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

The physical and psychological repercussions of traumatic brain injury can be extensive. While some indications or symptoms may develop right away following the incident, others may take days or weeks to manifest.

The following are a few of the mild traumatic brain injury symptoms and signs:

Physical Signs

  • Headache
  • Nausea or diarrhea
  • Fatigue or somnolence
  • Speech disorders
  • Unsteadiness or balance issues

Sensory Signs

  • Sensory issues, such as alterations in the sense of smell, impaired vision, ringing in the ears, poor breath, or a terrible taste in the mouth
  • Sensitivity to sound or light

 Behavioral, Cognitive, Or Mental Symptoms

  • Many seconds to several minutes of unconsciousness
  • There is no loss of consciousness, only a feeling of being puzzled, confused, or lost
  • Issues with attention or memory
  • Mood swings or fluctuations in mood
  • Experiencing anxiety or depression
  • Trouble sleeping
  • More sleep than normal

Causes Of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Typically, a blow to the head or other traumatic injury to the body results in a traumatic brain injury. The type of injury and the force of the impact are two variables that might affect the extent of the damage. The following are instances of traumatic brain damage that are frequent:

Falls

The most common cause of traumatic brain damage, especially in elderly individuals and small children, is falls from a bed or ladder, downstairs, in the bath, and other falls.

Violence

Gunshot wounds, domestic violence, child abuse, and other types of assault are common causes of traumatic brain injury. Violently shaken infants might suffer from “shaken baby syndrome,” i.e., traumatic brain damage.

Sports Injuries

Boxing, soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, hockey, skateboarding, and other high-impact or extreme sports are among the activities that might result in a traumatic brain injury. Youth are especially prone to them.

Even severe TBIs may not immediately cause symptoms, and it is sometimes difficult to tell if a traumatic brain injury is moderate or severe. This is why it’s crucial to see a doctor immediately if you’ve fallen and hit your head or experienced any other head injury. The problem should be handled as if it were a possible medical emergency. A doctor might do imaging studies to ascertain whether there is bleeding or edema in the brain. To provide quick medical care, they can also assess your cognitive function, memory, vision, and other possible impairments that may arise from any traumatic brain injury.

What is Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Like?

Every injury is unique; therefore, it’s crucial to speak with a doctor about a treatment strategy and abide by their advice. The doctors will often advise you to avoid taking any drugs that might cause bleeding for the first 24 hours following a concussion and closely watch if your condition worsens. The doctors might instruct you to take it easy for the first few days and not engage in strenuous activity.

A minor traumatic brain injury might cause symptoms to linger for longer than a few days. At that point, if necessary, your doctor could recommend drugs and pain treatment. You could resume your normal activities as your symptoms gradually subside. However, it’s critical to inform your doctor immediately if existing symptoms worsen or any new ones appear. However, a study is still needed to understand why some people have post-concussion syndrome, and others do not. To manage their discomfort and receive continuing medical attention, people with post-concussion syndrome must expect their symptoms to last for weeks, months, or over a year.

In the long run, a patient’s risk of problems may rise with modest brain damage. According to one study of athletes, those with previous concussions had a 50% increased chance of getting one again. According to the findings of another study, concussions may also result in delayed recovery periods, increasing the risk of future head injuries. Additionally, several studies have revealed that people who suffer from concussions may be at an increased risk for dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and mental health issues. The physical recovery from a concussion and its expenses might vary greatly because every patient’s experience is unique.

Patients should consider the incidental costs of their injury and the medical expenditures of a concussion. Patients who suffer from concussions may have financial hardship because they cannot work, for instance, or because they must seek in-home care while recovering. If you’ve had a concussion and want a precise estimate of how much your injury could cost, speak with a lawyer specializing in mild traumatic brain injuries.

How Do You Recognize When You Have A Case?

You might be able to file a claim if someone else’s conduct or carelessness contributed to your traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, figuring out if negligence contributed to your injuries is not always simple. You should consult with a traumatic brain injury attorney as soon as possible if you have sustained a TBI due to a sports practice, vehicle accident, job injury, fall, or any other occurrence. Expert personal injury attorneys specializing in traumatic brain injuries have the skills and expertise to identify responsible parties and can assist you in determining if you have a case.

Tatum & Atkinson Lawyers Can Help With Your MTBI Case

If you or your loved one has been in an accident or has mild traumatic brain injuries, you should receive medical help as soon as possible. If your accident resulted from another person’s carelessness, negligence, or risky work practices, you should see a legal professional immediately. Do not be reluctant to contact Tatum & Atkinson, “the Heavy Hitters,” a prominent North Carolina traumatic brain injury law firm, for a free consultation. Call (800) 529-0804 or message us online to set up your private case review right away. We are here to assist you in acquiring the reimbursement you deserve for your damages.