After a recent car accident, you learned you suffered a traumatic brain injury. How do you put yourself on the road to recovery?
Mayo Clinic explores common treatments for TBIs. Review your options and see if they affect your injury case.
Injury severity
Specific TBI treatment options may depend on injury severity. For instance, treatments for mild injuries include over-the-counter medication, close monitoring and rest. For a moderate-to-severe TBI, the person may need emergency medical intervention to ensure proper blood pressure, blood supply and oxygen. More severe brain injuries may call for additional medical care to address bleeding, low oxygen levels in the brain and swelling.
Medication
A doctor may recommend medication to address your TBI. For swelling of the brain, you may receive a prescription for a diuretic to lower the amount of fluid in your tissues. You could also take anti-seizure medication if you have a severe brain injury that puts you at risk of having a seizure, which may further harm your brain. Injuries that put severe pressure on the brain may call for medication that puts a person into a coma to lower the amount of oxygen the brain needs.
Surgery
Brain injuries may put tissues in danger, which may require surgical intervention. Cerebrospinal fluid build-up in the skull may require creating an opening to relieve the pressure for inflamed tissue. Surgeons may recommend treating blood clots pressing on the brain. Injuries that damage the skull could require surgery to address skull fragments lodged in the brain or skull fractures.
TBI treatment could affect your legal case. Educating yourself on treatment options helps you receive fair compensation.