Brain Injury Symptoms Could Be Delayed

2009-03-22 04:56:55 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Health & Fitness, News)

Brain injury patients may not show symptoms right away

Patients with a brain injury may not exhibit symptoms right away.

Wired PR News – Patients who have sustained a brain injury may not show symptoms for some time after an accident. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), it is not uncommon for individuals who suffer traumatic injuries to the head to initially appear ok.

As noted in the report, physicians typically request that someone who has sustained a brain injury but seems fine be watched closely due to what’s termed a “lucid interval” or period where brain swelling or bleeding occurs, but does not surface as visible symptoms right away. Symptoms that later surface may include headaches, vomiting, mobility or speech complications, fluid drainage, and other issues.

Washington Hospital Center neurosurgeon chief Dr. Edward Aulisi, is quoted in the report as stating, “Once you have more swelling, it causes more trauma which causes more swelling… It’s a vicious cycle because everything’s inside a closed space.” Aulisi is furthered quoted as advising, “If there’s any question in your mind whatsoever, you get a head CT… It’s the best 20 seconds you ever spent in your life.”

Photo Credit: Wikipedia User Radomil