Dr. Curtis Cripe: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Symptoms, Causes and Complications

Traumatic brain injury typically occurs due to a forceful impact or sudden jolt to the head or body, notes Dr. Curtis Cripe. In addition, penetrating objects like bullets or fractured skull fragments can also lead to traumatic brain injury. While mild cases may cause temporary effects on brain cells, severe traumatic brain injury can cause bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, and other physical harm to the brain. These injuries have the potential to result in long-term complications or even fatalities, highlighting the significant impact they can have on an individual's life and well-being.

Symptoms of TBI

Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

According to Dr. Curtis Cripe, mild traumatic brain injury presents with various signs and symptoms. Physical symptoms may include headache, nausea or vomiting, fatigue or drowsiness, speech problems, and dizziness or loss of balance. Sensory symptoms can manifest as sensory problems like blurred vision, ringing in the ears, unpleasant taste in the mouth, or changes in smell sensitivity, along with light or sound sensitivity.

Cognitive, behavioral, or mental symptoms may involve loss of consciousness for a brief period, being dazed, confused, or disoriented without losing consciousness, memory or concentration issues, mood swings, feelings of depression or anxiety, difficulty sleeping, or increased sleep duration.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may present with signs similar to mild injuries, along with specific symptoms that could manifest within hours to days post-injury. These symptoms include physical manifestations such as loss of consciousness, persistent or worsening headaches, vomiting, seizures, dilated pupils, fluid drainage from the nose or ears, inability to wake from sleep, weakness in extremities, and loss of coordination. Cognitive symptoms may involve profound confusion, agitation, slurred speech, and disorders of consciousness, including coma.

Causes of TBI

Traumatic brain injury typically stems from a blow or trauma to the head or body, with the extent of damage influenced by various factors such as the injury's nature and impact force, says Dr. Curtis Cripe.

Common causes include falls, vehicle collisions, violence, sports injuries, and combat-related incidents. Falls, especially among older adults and young children, are the leading cause. Vehicle-related accidents involving cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, as well as violence like gunshot wounds and domestic abuse, contribute significantly. Sports injuries from activities like soccer, boxing, and football, among others, and combat injuries like explosive blasts also lead to traumatic brain injury.

Complications of TBI

Traumatic brain injuries can result in a range of complications, impacting consciousness with conditions like coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, and brain death. These states reflect varying levels of awareness and responsiveness, with severe injuries potentially causing lasting alterations in consciousness.

Additionally, traumatic brain injury can lead to diverse physical issues, including seizures, brain fluid accumulation, infections, blood vessel damage, headaches, and vertigo. These complications can emerge immediately post-injury or appear years later, affecting the individual's overall health.

Following a traumatic brain injury, persistent symptoms like facial muscle weakness, altered senses, vision impairments, and dizziness can endure for weeks to months, known as persistent post-concussive symptoms. Damage to cranial nerves from skull base injuries can result in various problems, such as facial paralysis, changes in smell or taste, vision disturbances, swallowing difficulties, dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss.

Dr. Curtis Cripe mentions that brain injuries can also give rise to cognitive and executive functioning challenges, impacting memory, learning, reasoning, and more. Difficulties may arise in problem-solving, multitasking, and decision-making abilities.

Communication struggles are common post-brain injuries, leading to frustration and misinterpretations. Challenges may involve difficulties in speech, comprehension, and social skills like taking turns or interpreting nonverbal cues.

Behavioral shifts following a brain injury may encompass issues with self-control, lack of awareness, risky behaviors, social difficulties, and emotional outbursts. Emotional changes can manifest as depression, anxiety, mood fluctuations, irritability, lack of empathy, anger, and insomnia.

Sensory issues can present as various challenges, including persistent tinnitus, impaired hand-eye coordination, and balance problems.

Degenerative brain diseases may have connections to traumatic brain injuries, potentially leading to conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and dementia. Ongoing research aims to elucidate this relationship, adds Dr. Curtis Cripe.