Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be subtle. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear until days or weeks following the injury or may even be missed as people may look fine even though they may act or feel differently. The following are some common signs and symptoms of a TBI: Headaches or neck pain that do not go away; Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions; Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading; Getting lost or easily confused; Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy or motivation; Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason); Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping); Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance; Urge to vomit (nausea); Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions; Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily; Loss of sense of smell or taste; and Ringing in the ears.1

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Children with a brain injury can have the same symptoms as adults, but it is often harder for them to let others know how they feel. Call your child's doctor if they have had a blow to the head and you notice any of these symptoms: Tiredness or listlessness; Irritability or crankiness (will not stop crying or cannot be consoled); Changes in eating (will not eat or nurse); Changes in sleep patterns; Changes in the way the child plays; Changes in performance at school; Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities; Loss of new skills, such as toilet training; Loss of balance or unsteady walking; or Vomiting.1 If you think you or someone you know has a TBI, contact your health care provider. Your health care provider can refer you to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, or specialist in rehabilitation (such as a speech pathologist). Getting help soon after the injury by trained specialists may speed recovery.

There are many ways to reduce the chances of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including:

1. Wearing a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
2. Buckling your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child's height, weight, and age).

• Children should start using a booster seat when they outgrow their child safety seats (usually when they weigh about 40 pounds). They should continue to ride in a booster seat until the lap/shoulder belts in the car fit properly, typically when they are 4'9" tall.¹

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1. Never driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
2. Wearing a helmet and making sure your children wear helmets when:

• Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, scooter, or all-terrain vehicle;
• Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing;
• Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard;
• Batting and running bases in baseball or softball;
• Riding a horse; or
• Skiing or snowboarding.

1. Making living areas safer for seniors, by:

• Removing tripping hazards such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways;
• Using nonslip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors;
• Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower;
• Installing handrails on both sides of stairways;
• Improving lighting throughout the home; and
• Maintaining a regular physical activity program, if your doctor agrees, to improve lower body strength and balance.^2,3,4

1. Making living areas safer for children, by:

• Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows; and
• Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around.

1. Making sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand.⁵
   
   There are many opportunities to raise awareness in your community about TBI. Below are some times of the year that may be opportune for drawing attention to a particular issue:

• The week of Valentine's Day is National Child Passenger Safety Week.
• March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
• The fourth week of April is National Playground Safety Week.
• December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month.

Schools are a great place to incorporate prevention efforts. The National SAFE KIDS campaign website and the National Program for Playground Safety website have plans for teachers and have student handouts about playground, motor vehicle, and sports and recreation safety.

• National SAFE KIDS Campaign Website
• National Program for Playground Safety Website

The ThinkFirst? National Injury Prevention Foundation also offers TBI prevention and educational programs for young people.

• ThinkFirst? National Injury Prevention Foundation