After a person experiences brain trauma, there may be many issues occuring in the brain that we are not aware of. Sometimes, it is obvious that a person is seriously injured, but in other situations, it is harder to tell what is going on in the body. One serious issue that a person could face after a head injury is a brain contusion. If your loved one sustained a brain injury, watch out for a brain contusion. You can learn more about this issue here.
What is a Brain Contusion?
A brain contusion is another name for a bruise to brain tissue. While this might not seem like a big deal, it is actually very serious and can cause a lot of difficulty for your loved one. Bruises to the brain are much more serious than your average bruise. Brain contusions can cause structural damage to the brain, making them even more serious than other brain issues such as concussions.
Brain contusions can be serious or they can be minor. If a person experiences few symptoms or if there is little damage to the brain, they could make a full recovery. However, severe contusions can cause permanent brain damage.
Brain contusions are caused by blood vessel leaks. Even small blood vessel leaks can lead to contusions and problems. These contusions are caused by serious impact to the head, which might result from an accident or an assault. For example, many people sustain brain contusions in car accidents or when struck by falling objects. Alternatively, people who are assaulted can also experience brain contusions.
Oftentimes, these contusions happen in cortical tissue in the brain. They tend to be found close to sharp ridges that appear on the inside of a person’s skull. This might include the temporal lobe, the frontal lobe, or the ocular orbit.
Signs of a Brain Contusion
If your loved one has sustained an injury to the brain, a brain contusion is definitely something to watch out for. Many times, a person loses consciousness when they sustain a brain contusion. Serious brain contusions can cause swelling in the brain and permanent brain damage.
If you suspect that your loved one may be suffering from a brain contusion, watch out for the following symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness
- Brain swelling
- Memory loss
- Issues paying attention
- Behavioral problems
- Emotional issues
- Issues with their motor coordination
- Loss of ability to talk
- Loss of ability to understand speech
- Numbness
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to seek help for your loved one as soon as possible.
Prognosis and Treatment
Generally, the prognosis for brain contusions depends on how serious the injury is. As already mentioned, your loved one might make a full recovery if the bruise is minor. However, in other cases, contusions can lead to permanent brain damage or even death.
If your loved one has swelling in their brain from a contusion, surgery may be necessary to alleviate this swelling. Surgery may also be necessary to stop severe bleeding in the brain. There are various types of surgery that can help with brain contusions. Alternatively, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat any infections.
It is important to manage the symptoms of a brain contusion as soon as possible. If you think that your loved one may have a brain contusion, seek medical help as soon as possible. Even if you are not sure, it is better to be safe than sorry. For additional assistance in helping your loved one recover from a brain contusion, you can contact my office. I am happy to answer additional questions and provide any resources that you might need.
