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What Are the Different Types and Levels of Brain Injuries?

Brain trauma can be a serious car accident injury that can lead to long-lasting physical, cognitive, and emotional effects. If you’ve been in an accident, it’s critical to recognize the warning signs of brain injuries and seek medical attention immediately. Read on for a brief guide to the various types and levels of brain injuries. 

Common Types of Brain Injuries

There are several incidents and events that can cause brain injuries, including car accidents, falls, workplace accidents, and more. Brain injuries can range from a closed head injury to a penetrating one, or injury caused by blunt force trauma. They can also be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Some of the common types of brain injury include:

• Concussion: Also called a mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a concussion most common type of brain injury. They’re typically caused by blunt force trauma and often occur in rear-end accidents or falls where violent movement causes the brain to shift. As it moves and strikes the skull, it can cause damage to brain tissues and blood vessels.

• Penetrating Brain Injuries: Caused by an object penetrating the skull and entering the brain, these injuries can cause bleeding and brain cell death. Swelling, bleeding, stroke, loss of oxygen, and more complications often accompany a penetrating brain injury.

• Anoxic Brain Injuries: These injuries are caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Brain cells start to die after four minutes without oxygen. In some cases, damage to blood vessels can cause these injuries. When contusions occur due to the brain striking the skull, bleeding can cause the brain to swell and lead to a lack of oxygen in the brain.

• Diffuse Axonal Injury: A DAI is much like other brain injuries that involve the brain shifting within the skull. In this case, the long connecting fibers are torn from the brain, leading to severe damage in multiple locations on the brain.

Brain Injury Levels of Severity 

Medical providers typically rely on the Glasgow Coma Scale score, memory loss, and consciousness. Other factors can also play a role in determining the extent of the injury. For instance, the location of the injury may impact the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks or present with specific symptoms. There are three general levels of severity when it comes to TBIs, including:

• Mild TBI: A mild TBI, or concussion, often doesn’t cause a loss of consciousness. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, balance problems, fatigue, anxiety, and more.

• Moderate TBI: Moderate TBIs often result in unconsciousness for longer than 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. They include all symptoms of mild TBIs, as well as more severe symptoms like headaches that get worse, seizures, numbness in limbs, slurred speech, loss of coordination, and more. 

• Severe TBI: A severe TBI causes loss of consciousness for more than 24 hours, and it often causes memory loss that lasts longer than 7 days. Immediate medical attention is required.

Protect Your Brain After an Accident by Seeking Medical Attention Immediately

Brain trauma can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including headaches, nausea, dizziness, mood swings, and difficulty remembering or concentrating. In some cases, the effects of the injury may be permanent, requiring lifelong care and support.

It’s important to take preventive measures—even if you don’t have symptoms—and be aware of the risks of brain trauma to ensure a healthy and happy future. The car accident specialists at Impact Medical Group of Clearwater are standing by to help. Call us today at (727) 292-0200 to schedule your free medical evaluation.

What Are the Leading Causes of Pedestrian Accidents?

Pedestrian accidents are an unfortunate reality around the world, and in America, thousands of pedestrians are injured and even killed each year in these incidents. The pedestrian who’s struck by a vehicle often experiences an array of injuries, ranging from minor bruises and fractures to life-threatening trauma. Here are some of the leading causes of pedestrian accidents, and how you can recover if you’ve been affected by one. 

Failing to Yield the Right of Way

The term “right of way” refers to the legal right of a motorist or pedestrian to move ahead in a particular situation or location. For example, a traffic signal can indicate whether pedestrians can proceed safely across an intersection as motorists are required to stop. When either party fails to yield the right of way and commits a traffic violation by proceeding when they aren’t supposed to, it can lead to a pedestrian accident.

Crossing an Intersection or Roadway Improperly

Even when pedestrians have the legal right of way, they can still cross an intersection or roadway improperly. Pedestrians may try to cross a street at a spot other than the designated crosswalk–also known as jaywalking. They could also try to cross the road at the last second before a light changes, or they may simply unintentionally walk in front of oncoming traffic. In these situations, motorists have little to no time to react. The consequences can be dire, often leading to severe injuries.

Lingering in the Roadway

Whether standing, lying, or playing, there are many reasons why pedestrians linger in the street–in some cases, they may simply be going about their job. It’s difficult for drivers to avoid an accident when pedestrians linger in the roadway, even if they have enough time to react.

Roadside workers are especially vulnerable to pedestrian accidents. The high-visibility gear workers are often required to wear, along with road signs, can alert drivers to their presence. Drivers are required to practice extra caution around these worksites, but accidents still happen.

Poor Visibility

From poor weather conditions to objects or vehicles obstructing views, there are many factors that can reduce visibility on the roads. In these cases, pedestrians may be liable for accidents. All parties need to exercise caution and respond appropriately to current situations or conditions. Some of the common factors leading to poor visibility include:

• Bright lights shining in pedestrian’s eyes
• Headlights that are dim or broken
• Objects or vehicles on the side of the road, obstructing a motorist’s or pedestrian’s view
• Pedestrians wearing dark clothing at night
• Poor weather conditions

Drugs, Alcohol, and Medications

Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medications is one of the leading causes of both pedestrian accidents and motor vehicle accidents. Drugs and alcohol can also impair the judgment of pedestrians, making walking across the street more difficult. When either a motorist or pedestrian has had too much to drink or has been using drugs, the impairment could lead to an accident.

Recover From a Pedestrian Accident With the Help of Impact Medical Group of Lutz

Pedestrian accidents are never pleasant, and the injuries they cause can be lifelong. When it comes to getting back on your feet after being hit by a car, the medical team at Impact Medical Group of Lutz can help. We understand the severity of pedestrian accidents and are dedicated to providing top-quality medical care to help you recover. Call us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule your free medical evaluation and start your journey to a full recovery.

How Do You Tell if an Auto Injury Is to Bone or Muscle?

Car accidents can often lead to injuries that range in severity from mild to severe, impacting bones, soft tissues, and more. Regardless of the severity of your injury, getting early treatment can save you from dealing with a lot of pain in the future. Here’s how you can tell if a car accident injury is to bones or muscles, as well as what you should do to heal and get back to your normal life. 

Fracture vs. Muscle Injury

Fractures and muscle injuries share many of the same symptoms. The difference between the two conditions couldn’t be simpler, though. A fracture is a break in the bone, while muscle injuries like sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries. 

Fracture

Fractures, or broken bones, can cause immediate pain and inflammation around the area of injury. Unless the bone is poking through your skin, though, you’ll need to get an X-ray to determine the location and extent of the fracture. In some severe cases, you may also need a CAT scan or MRI to look for damage to ligaments, muscles, and tendons. Some of the signs of fracture after a car accident include:

• Audible crunching sound as bones rub together
• Deformity to a limb
• Inability to put weight on the injured area
• Swelling and bruising

Muscle Injury

The force of the impact during a car accident can lead to uncomfortable muscle, tendon, and ligament stretching, or even tearing. When these injuries affect muscles or tendons, they are known as strains. If the injury affects ligaments—the tough, fibrous tissues that connect bones together—it’s called a sprain. Both strains and sprains can cause similar symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and reduced mobility. Sprains and strains can be mild to severe, with symptoms like:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Popping sounds or strange sensations around joints
• Swelling
• Trouble moving the injured area

Treating Fractures and Muscle Injuries After a Car Accident

If your doctor has determined you have a broken bone from a car accident, the type of treatment you need depends on the location and severity of the fracture. Mild fractures may only require the bone to be put back into normal alignment with the help of a cast. More severe breaks may require surgery.

For muscle injuries, treatment often includes rest, ice, and the use of anti-inflammatories to heal the injured area. In more severe cases, surgery may be required.

See a Doctor Immediately After a Car Accident

Both fractures and muscle injuries can cause severe pain and discomfort. While you should obviously seek medical attention immediately when bones have broken and pierced through the skin, it’s important to visit your healthcare provider even if your symptoms are minor. 

Getting medical assistance immediately can save you from long-term complications that often arise from delaying medical attention. Reach out to the caring team at Impact Medical Group of Port Richey immediately after an accident for prompt diagnosis and treatment. Call us today at (727) 848-3377 to request your free consultation! 

Can A Car Accident Cause Bladder Issues?

Car accidents can be traumatic, and the injuries resulting from a collision can range from minor to severe. While we often think of broken bones or soft tissue injuries, it’s important to know that car accidents can also put your bladder at risk. While rare, the bladder can sustain serious damage in a car crash. Here’s what you need to know.

Bladder Injuries Are Rare After a Car Accident, but They Do Happen

Positioned between the pelvic bones for protection, the bladder is responsible for storing and releasing urine. However, despite its advantageous location, the bladder is not entirely immune to trauma. In fact, in the unfortunate event of a blunt-force injury or penetration, including seatbelt injuries, the bladder may suffer serious damage. Due to the force of impact, the bladder can be compressed or even ruptured, leading to severe pain and potential long-term damage.

Misalignment in the spine because of a car accident is another common injury that can lead to bladder dysfunction. While this may sound alarming, there are a variety of signs and symptoms that can be helpful in identifying the issue and seeking treatment. 

Some of the most common indications of bladder problems due to spinal misalignment include incontinence, urgency, discomfort during urination, and difficulty emptying the bladder completely. In some cases, individuals may also experience pain or pressure in the lower back and pelvic area. 

How to Treat Injuries to the Bladder

If you or a loved one suffer from a bladder injury as a result of a car accident, there are several treatment options depending on the severity of the injury. In the case of a ruptured bladder, surgery is typically required.

For bladder injuries that are linked to spinal misalignment, treatment from a car accident chiropractor, like the specialists at Impact Medical Group of Tampa, can help. Using an all-natural, drug-free approach to treating car accident injuries, your car accident chiropractor will assess your spine, identifying any misalignments and creating a customized treatment plan to restore alignment to your spine.

Using gentle, safe chiropractic adjustments, your car accident chiropractor provides therapeutic treatment for car accident injuries, including those that affect your bladder. Many patients experience lasting relief from symptoms including incontinence or indigestion after a car accident. 

Seek Medical Attention Immediately After a Car Accident

It is essential to seek medical attention immediately after a car accident–regardless of if you have symptoms or not. If you experience any bladder-related symptoms after a car accident, including abdominal pain, blood in your urine, or difficulty urinating, contact the medical team at Impact Medical Group of Tampa. We’ll support you on your road to recovery after a car accident, providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for your symptoms. Call us today at (813) 283-1910 to schedule your free consultation.