Health

What Are The Long Term Effects of a Brain Injury?

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2022

The brain is involved in so many aspects of daily life that any injury is disruptive. However, the severity of the disruption will depend on many facts, including which part of the brain is injured and the overall seriousness of the injury. Traumatic brain injuries are a common injury which send more than 200,000 people to the hospital each year. You might receive compensation for a traumatic brain injury.

With a mild brain injury, a person should make substantial recovery within 90 days or so. However, more severe TBIs can lead to concussion syndrome and lasting symptoms, such as those discussed below.

Memory Loss

Moderate and severe TBIs often cause memory problems, even long term. Many patients can’t remember appointments, meetings, and other short-term commitments. They forget where they put their keys or a piece of information they were immediately told. They also can’t force themselves to “remember to remember.”

Memory loss might improve somewhat with time, as the brain heals from the brain injury. But many patients will need to develop strategies for working around their memory loss. Certain memory devices—like having a smartphone app remind you of a meeting—can help people live independently despite their limitations.

Sleep Disturbances

Roughly 30-70% of those who suffer a TBI develop sleep disorders, such as:

Fatigue
Insomnia
Narcolepsy
Periodic limb movement disorder

Prescriptions can help with sleep, especially in the short term. But long-term changes to sleep patterns are difficult to counter. Further, changes to sleep can impact the ability to recover from the TBI, creating a vicious circle.

Balance and Coordination Problems

The brain is closely involved in helping people stand upright and move. A serious traumatic brain injury can lead to significant impairments, including a loss of balance or difficulty coordinating movements. Dizziness is another long-term symptom which impairs a person’s balance.

Speech Impairment

The left-hand side of the brain regulators speech, both talking and understanding language. Serious injury to this part of the brain can lead to long-term difficulties communicating with others. However, many TBI patients receive speech therapy and, with intense effort, make at least partial recovery.

Behavioral Changes

Behavioral changes are some of the hardest to deal with following a traumatic brain injury. Common changes include:

Poor judgment
Problems with impulse control
Increased anger or frustration
Repetitive behaviors
Impaired social skills
Changes in sexual behavior
Development of depression, anxiety, or mood swings

Behavioral therapy, as well as prescription drugs, can help anyone suffering from a TBI. But the road to recovery is difficult and many families need help taking care of a loved one due to behavioral changes.

How a Lawyer Can Help You Following a Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are an expensive injury to grapple with. Many accident victims struggle for years with large medical expenses while, at the same time, being unable to work. Fortunately, you could receive compensation for a traumatic brain injury if someone else’s negligence ended up hurting you. An experienced personal injury attorney can review the facts of your case to determine if you can bring a claim.

Health

9 Simple Steps to Dealing with a Broken Tooth

Published

2 months ago

February 14, 2024

Michelle Langton

Credit: freepik via Freepik

It’s movie night, and you have an obligatory bowlful of popcorn balancing on your lap. You toss a handful of popcorn and — crack — you unknowingly bite down on a kernel with the full power of your jaw.

Lightning strikes your mouth as you realize this humble kernel broke your tooth.

Now what?

Besides pausing the movie and spitting out your mouthful of popcorn and tooth, you might not know your next steps.

What should you do, and how can you pay for it? Find the answers to these questions and more below:

1. Save the Pieces

If possible, save any broken pieces of the tooth. Your dentist might need these pieces.

2. Rinse Your Mouth

Gently rinse your mouth with warm water to clean the area. Avoid using hot or cold water, as it might aggravate any exposed nerves.

3. Control Bleeding

If you bleed, apply gentle pressure to the area with a clean cloth or gauze. You can also use a cold compress on your jaw or cheek to reduce swelling.

4. Contact Your Dentist

Reach out to your dentist immediately. Explain the situation and try to schedule an emergency appointment. Many dentists reserve slots for urgent cases. If they don’t have a spot available, look at specialty emergency clinics in your area.

5. Get Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Broken and chipped teeth can hurt, so take some over-the-counter pain relievers to help manage this pain until you can see your dentist.

6. Check Insurance Coverage

Review your dental insurance policy to understand coverage details. Some policies may cover emergency procedures, while others may have limitations.

7. Discuss Payment Options

If cost is a concern, discuss financing options with your dentist. Some dental offices offer flexible arrangements that give you a break. If you qualify for these plans, you might be able to push out your due date to coincide with your payday. You may even be able to break up your total outstanding amount over several payments.

8. Take out a Personal Loan

If you’re just shy of what you need to cover your emergency dental expense, consider going online to scope out personal loans. A personal loan may fill in for savings in urgent situations. You can quickly visit a website like MoneyKey to see what you need to apply. If approved, a personal loan gives you the means to pay for your visit upfront and pay off what you owe over time.

9. Consider Urgent Care Clinics

If your financial situation is such that you can’t afford a personal loan’s payments, reconsider your choice of dentist. Some dental practices apply a sliding scale to their services so that they can provide immediate care at a lower cost for at-risk individuals.

Next Steps: Thinking About the Future

So, you’ve managed to repair your tooth and pay the bill, too. What’s next? Make sure you hit these three goals soon. They can help you prevent another broken tooth in the future!

Stay on Top of Dental Hygiene: Brush at least twice a day and floss once a day — these simple habits can protect your teeth over time.
Schedule Regular Checkups: Keeping up with regular cleanings can also help you prevent future dental emergencies.
Build an Emergency Fund: Sometimes, accidents happen. Consider building an emergency fund specifically for unexpected dental emergencies.