Head Trauma (TBI): Causes, Symptoms & When to Seek Emergency Care

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from external mechanical force disrupting brain function. Causes include:

• Blunt impact: Falls, motor vehicle crashes, sports collisions, assaults
• Penetrating injury: Gunshot, stabbing, shrapnel
• Acceleration-deceleration (whiplash): MVCs, shaken baby syndrome
• Blast injury: Explosions (military, industrial)
• Hypoxic-ischemic insult: Near-drowning, suffocation, cardiac arrest (secondary brain injury)
• Obstetric trauma: Forceps, vacuum, prolonged labor

Warning Signs (Seek Immediate Care)

• Loss of consciousness (even briefly)
• Confusion, disorientation, memory gap
• Repeated vomiting
• Seizure
• Unequal pupils, visual changes
• Slurred speech, weakness, numbness
• Worsening headache
• Clear fluid from ears/nose (CSF leak)

Any suspected TBI warrants urgent medical evaluation. Even "mild" concussions can have cumulative effects. CT/MRI and neurologic monitoring guide management.