Study: Potential Devastating Consequences of Brain Injuries | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

A recent study from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has concluded that even mild concussions can cause severe and long-lasting impairments in the brain’s ability to clean itself of toxins, which triggers a high risk for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurodegenerative problems.

The study discovered a previously unknown consequence of brain injuries that can leave the victim suffering long-term or lifetime effects. If the injury causes the brain to swell, it presses against the skull. Trapped in-between the brain and the skull are tiny lymphatic vessels that are responsible for cleaning the brain. When there is pressure put on these vessels, there is serious impairment of the brain’s ability to purge toxins. This impairment is long-term. Other studies have shown that these vessels – unknown until discovered in 2015 – play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive issues that occur as we age.

Researchers of the study think that people who have issues with their brain drainage from prior concussions are at a higher risk of suffering even more severe consequences from subsequent brain injuries and that victims need to take the time to properly heal or they are putting themselves at risk for brain issues years later.

Brain Injuries and Accidents

At our personal injury law firm, we have assisted countless clients who have suffered brain injuries due to the negligence of another party. Many of these victims were injured in car accidents. The impact of vehicles smashing into each other can create a devastating force, slamming vehicle occupants into the dashboard, windows, or doors. If a person isn’t wearing a seat belt, they are also at a high risk of being ejected from the vehicle. Even a minor head injury, such as a concussion, can cause serious issues. Some of the more common include:

  • Brain impulse abnormality: Brain injuries can cause issues with the ability to concentrate, mood swings, depression, and difficulty sleeping.
  • Impairment of fine motor skills: Balance and hand-eye coordination can be affected due to a concussion.
  • Impairment of mental capacity: Brain injury victims can have issues with their memory or critical thinking and reasoning skills and difficulty with sense of logic. They may have a hard time staying focused on what they are reading.
  • Impairment of sensory input processing: Many concussion victims have issues with hearing or can experience blurred vision if the blow was to the back of their head.
  • Issues with speech: Some victims have a hard time speaking and/or understanding what other people are saying to them. This can carry over into difficulties with reading and writing, as well.

Treatment for a brain injury will be dependent on how serious the injury is. Some brain injuries will only require simple treatments. The victim’s doctor may recommend rest, along with over-the-counter medication and instructions to monitor symptoms. There may or may not be a follow-up appointment, depending on how well the victim is recovering. Mild brain injuries typically do not require long-term care.

Victims who suffer more severe brain injuries face extended treatments. Anyone who has suffered a serious brain injury should follow their doctors’ instructions and follow through with all recommend treatments because failure to do could result in permanent damage.

Contact a North Carolina Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the pain and losses that were a result of that injury. Our North Carolina brain injury attorneys have successfully represented many accident victims and their families and would be happy to meet and discuss how our firm may be able to help. We also provide a free traumatic brain injury guide that provides important information about brain injury law and other legal questions regarding pursuing an injury claim. Call Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp today.

 

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