If you or someone you love has been in an automobile accident, it is critical that you receive an examination from a qualified healthcare professional. This not only protects you in the event that a lawsuit or claim may be necessary but it also ensures that any injuries are promptly treated. In some situations, this can mean the difference between life and death, especially in the case of a traumatic brain injury.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is caused when one experiences a spike, blow, or serious jarring of the head. It causes the brain to swell, which can, in extreme cases, lead to death. In most other cases, however, traumatic brain injury causes issues with memory, cognition, coordination, and emotion. For example, a person with traumatic brain injury may:

By now, we have all heard about the dangers of concussions and brain injuries. We realize the importance of seeking prompt medical care following an accident in which head injuries are suspected. We have seen one competitive athlete after another struggling to deal with and ultimately succumbing to problems associated with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), following long careers of repeated hits to the head and often multiple concussions.

With all of the caution and warnings—not to mention increased technology in helmets and protective gear—many parents and youth sports coaches are confident that they can prevent most concussions and effectively limit the damage when one does occur. A new, small-scale study suggests, however, that the dangers may be even worse than most people realize.

Changes Without a Diagnosable Traumatic Event

Earlier this week, journeyman quarterback Matt Hasselbeck announced his retirement from the National Football League this week after an 18-year career. The announcement marks the second from a veteran quarterback in recent days, as surefire Hall of Famer Peyton Manning announced he was leaving the game last week, following his own 18 years in the NFL. Players retiring after nearly two decades playing an extremely violent sport is hardly unusual, but several others have decided to call it quits this offseason as well, a number of whom have yet to reach their 30th birthdays. Experts are speculating that many of these relatively early retirements, including those of Detroit Lions star Calvin Johnson and former Super Bowl winner Marshawn Lynch could be due to the increased awareness of the serious dangers presented by football-related head and brain injuries.

Concussions and CTE

Throughout the last decade and a half, doctors and researchers around the country have been trying to understand better the connection between repetitive head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. Once common primarily among boxers, CTE is a degenerative disease that has been linked with multiple concussions and, increasingly, repeated non-concussive hits to the head. CTE is thought to be a factor in the premature deaths of many former NFL players, including several tragic cases in which the players took their own lives. According to reports from Boston University, one of the nation’s premier centers for CTE research, CTE has been discovered in more than 90 percent of brains donated by the families of deceased former players.

When most people think of a sports-related injury, they commonly refer to a pulled hamstring, sprained ankle, or maybe, a dislocated shoulder. Rarely do they consider a severe brain injury or the debilitating condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. While bumps and bruises, and even broken bones will eventually heal, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and CTE can have devastating effects for the rest of a person’s life. In fact, CTE has been linked to numerous cases of depression, suicide, and early death in recent years. CTE is most commonly associated with concussions and other head injuries, but research is beginning to suggest that changes in brain activity are also occurring in subjects who have never been diagnosed with such an injury.

Purdue University Studies

According to findings published by the Purdue University Neurotrauma Group, more than half of the high school football players who participated in seven years of research trials showed signs of neurological damage. They also demonstrated dramatic alterations to brain function and biochemistry, despite never having displayed the dizziness or disoriented so often associated with concussions.

The best way to prevent car accidents is to be proactive. In regards to automobile accidents, wearing a seat belt, using signals and keeping the car up to date on maintenance are all ways to help. However, accidents are bound to happen and damages incurred. Some might even be inflicted with personal injuries and sustain serious damage to the brain, neck and spine. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is the cause for 5.3 million people living with disabilities. 50,000 people die from it and over 230,000 are hospitalized. The leading cause is car accidents.

Many people walk away from accidents believing nothing serious has happened to them other than damage to their car. However, many of those who walk away have brain damage that is not diagnosed by a professional. The force of an accident, whether it is head-on, rear, or side impact collision causes trauma to the brain. To put it in perspective, even a fall or bump to the head can cause damage.

There are two ways the brain can be damaged. First, in the impact the brain shakes or rotates the brain within the compound of the skull, causing no cracks in the skull. This movement causes tissue damage and can affect cognitive, and emotional or physical abilities. The second way the brain can be damaged is if the skull is actually fractured or penetrated by an object. This can lead to different types of disabilities.