Yes, it is possible for symptoms of a head injury not to appear right away. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms may take hours or even days to appear in some cases.
If you have been in an accident that may have caused a head injury, make sure you visit a healthcare provider, even if you feel fine. They can examine you and ensure you did not suffer a TBI or other serious injuries. You may also want to contact a Columbus personal injury lawyer to learn whether your accident warrants compensation.
How Long Do Head Injuries Take To Show Symptoms?
Everyone reacts differently to head injuries. An injury that may cause one person immediate symptoms could take days to impact someone else. The important part is seeking medical care as soon as you or a loved one notices any signs of a brain injury or after any potentially serious blow, bump, or jolt to the head.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Head Injury?
Not all head injuries have the same degree of severity. Minor TBIs (concussions) often present differently than more serious injuries. However, the Mayo Clinic recommends looking for these symptoms after an accident:
Physical Symptoms Of A Head Injury
Physical symptoms often represent the easiest way for someone to notice that you sustained a head injury. You may:
- Experience nausea or vomiting
- Feel drowsy or fatigued
- Hear a ringing in your ears
- Get a headache
- Experience blurry vision
Please seek medical care if you experience any of these symptoms after a blow to the head.
Mental Symptoms Of A Head Injury
Head injuries do not only cause physical symptoms. In some situations, head injury victims:
- Seem confused or dazed
- Develop amnesia or memory issues
- Feel dizzy
- Lose consciousness
- Slur their speech
In the days and weeks after a head injury, you may develop other symptoms, including changes to your personality, problems concentrating, and sensitivity to noise and/or light. Any of these symptoms could indicate that you need to visit a doctor.
Do Children Have Different Symptoms After A Head Injury?
Depending on the child’s age, they may have trouble describing their symptoms, making it harder to identify a head injury. As a parent or adult guardian, you should visit a doctor if the child:
- Cries excessively
- Walks unsteadily
- Becomes excessively cranky, irritable, or listless
- Vomits
- Appears dazed
- Has a seizure
These symptoms may appear within a day or two of a head injury in many cases. In some situations, they may take longer to appear. Because children often cannot verbalize their symptoms effectively, doctors often recommend you bring them in for an exam after any blow to the head.
What Head Injury Symptoms Indicate You Need Emergency Care?
Some head injury symptoms indicate that you need immediate care from a medical professional. You may want to contact emergency services if you notice someone:
- Repeatedly vomiting
- With blood or fluid draining from their ears or nose
- Getting very pale after a blow to the head
- Experiencing extreme disorientation or confusion
- Slurring their speech
- Convulsing
Losing consciousness for more than 30 seconds also indicates a moderate or severe head injury. Headaches and other symptoms that worsen over time indicate that an individual requires immediate medical assistance.
Additionally, large bruises or bumps on the head or a penetrating head injury may indicate a need for immediate medical care. You can contact a medical practitioner for personalized advice if you struck your head. They can tell you if you should visit a medical facility immediately or wait while monitoring symptoms.
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Can You Recover From Head Injuries In Ohio?
In many cases, patients can recover from the effects of a blow to the head in Ohio. In some cases, it may take extensive medical treatment and an extended period, however. The costs to cover your treatment may rise quickly in this situation.
You may have the chance to seek compensation to cover your healthcare expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Depending on your situation, you could file an insurance claim with the individual who caused your accident or even file a lawsuit.
Contact Us After A Head Injury In Ohio
It is possible for symptoms of a head injury not to appear right away. Sometimes, they make take days or even weeks to show up. Regardless of when the symptoms appear, you should seek medical care.
You may also want to work with a head injury lawyer to secure legal help. Our team at the Fitch Law Firm LLC can help you seek compensation for your losses. Find out more by calling us or filling out our online contact form.