In the United States, 2 out of 1,000 people suffer from a head injury, whether mild, moderate, or severe. The risks of developing dementia are more significant for people who suffer moderate to severe brain injury. The stakes are even higher for people ages 55 and above who sustained a brain injury.
With bad habits and unhealthy lifestyles such as poor diet and zero exercises, dementia is bound to take over your life, especially when you get older.
Read on to learn more about the early development and symptoms of dementia after a brain injury.
Dementia Explained
Dementia is a general term for gradual memory loss and impaired ability to think, remember and make decisions that get in the way of daily activities.
While this condition usually affects people of age, the non-elderly may also develop dementia early on, especially after sustaining a brain injury that caused trauma to brain tissues.
Some risk factors of dementia include, but are not limited to, high alcohol consumption, high blood pressure, depression, smoking, obesity, lack of physical activity, low levels of cognitive engagement, and moderate to severe head injury.
Studies show that a brain injury is associated with an increased possibility of dementia compared to people without a history of brain injury and people with non-brain injury trauma. However, there is no sufficient evidence that a single mild head or brain injury increases dementia risk.
Are you willing to gamble your chances of developing dementia after a brain injury?
Remember that dementia is a progressive and irreversible condition that worsens over time.
If your brain injury goes unnoticed and undiagnosed, you may not be able to prevent the impairing consequences of dementia.
Warning Signs of Dementia That You Should Not Ignore
Knowing the warning signs of dementia can help you identify it early, take appropriate steps to manage it, and seek medical help as soon as possible. If you notice any of the following warning signs in yourself or your loved ones, seek medical help immediately.
Memory loss
You might have some trouble remembering people and things after a brain injury. This is caused by damage in some areas of the temporal lobe that manages your memories. Common symptoms include misplacing keys and forgetting what another person said a few moments ago.
Concentration problems
Your concentration gets badly impaired following a brain injury. You also get disoriented by your surroundings. Performing daily tasks becomes difficult since your attention becomes shorter and you’re in a constant daze. Do not take this lightly, and get consulted right away.
Slowed thinking and thought process
Another symptom of dementia is the impaired ability to think quickly. You might find yourself struggling over important things and reasoning out when you’re conversing with another person. Other people usually notice this symptom more than you do.
Impulsive and inappropriate behavior
The behavioral impact of a brain injury is not one to be predicted. You become more violent and hostile to the people around you. Brain injury can also make you act up at the worst timing since the area that controls impulses is affected. This kind of behavior you can’t control causes people to stay away from you.
Neglected hygiene
Brain injury affects your routines, including your hygiene. Soon, you’ll find yourself not taking a bath or brushing your teeth for days. This could make people call you out and remind you to take care of yourself.
Mood swings
Emotions take a 360-degree turn after your brain gets injured. You become easily irritated and have bouts of depressive episodes in between. One moment you’re happy, then you’re crying in the next few minutes. These frequent mood swings can affect your dynamics and relationships with the people around you.
Constant headache and fatigue
Frequent headaches and fatigue are part of the impacts of brain injury. These headaches last weeks and months and can interrupt your daily work and routine. When headaches happen frequently, take some rest and drink medicine. If the headaches persist, it’s high time to visit your doctor.
Apathy
Sometimes you lose compassion and emotions for things that once mattered to you. It gets worse as time goes by. A part of your brain that handles the regulation of emotions gets affected after hitting your head badly. You become cold, withdrawn, and isolated from society and the people you love.
See a doctor when these warning signs worsen over time. Some of these symptoms are treatable, while some need proper medical tests and procedures to understand the extent of your injury.
Tips to Avoid Dementia After a Brain Injury
Brain injury increases the risk of dementia in later life, but it can be prevented in many ways. Avoid dementia after that fatal blow on the head with these handy tips:
Eat a balanced diet
A proper diet gives you the nutrients that help in brain function. Eat a balanced portion of meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables daily. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water per day. If you need help with a diet plan, consult a dietician to help you.
Exercise daily
Get enough exercise, up to 30 minutes daily, to keep fit. Regular exercise keeps your brain healthy by improving mood and thinking and reducing anxiety and depression. You’ll feel better after exercising and improve your cardiovascular function, leading to stabilized blood pressure.
Reduce alcohol consumption
Cut your alcohol consumption gradually if you’re a heavy drinker. Reduce the number of bottles you drink every day until you can’t drink a single bottle anymore. Excessive alcohol intake affects the brain by making it harder to retain memory, execute proper judgment, and limit your ability to reason.
Quit smoking
Just like alcohol, the nicotine in cigarettes and vaping affects the brain’s ability to reduce impulse control and keep your mood stable. Like alcohol, slowly lower the cigarette sticks you burn in your mouth until you don’t smoke even a single stick. You’ll reap the benefits of quitting smoking when you can breathe better and your stamina increases.
Engage in new hobbies and skills
Keep your brain sharp by learning new skills and forming new hobbies. These keep your brain running as you absorb more information and dig deeper into specific areas of knowledge.
Always attend follow-up checkups
Doctors know best when it comes to dealing with your brain injury. Do not miss any of your follow-up checkups, and drink your medicine to make your way to full recovery.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a reputable personal injury lawyer when you notice the symptoms of dementia following a brain injury can help keep your legal problems at bay.
Note that there are better additions to your current situation than additional stress.
Here are some of the benefits of hiring a personal injury lawyer to handle your case:
Conduct an Extensive Study
A personal injury lawyer studies your case deeply to understand how they can help you. They will take time to read everything and go over every detail to find solutions for your case.
Do the Paperwork Within the Deadline
All the needed documents, medical records, and footages of the accident are under the care of the personal injury lawyer. They compile this evidence and submit it to court for review on or before the deadline, so you don’t have to worry about filing all the paperwork.
Negotiate Proper Compensation
The negotiation skills of personal injury lawyers are put into action when they negotiate the compensation you will get as the case drags on. They will also help you understand your rights as a victim and explain why you should get compensation for all the damages inflicted on you.
File Insurance Claims
Your personal injury lawyer will file claims to your insurance company for financial benefits. While some insurance companies offer the lowest offer, personal injury lawyers know how to serve your best interest. They will also make you understand what policies are covered in your insurance that you can get financial help from.
Fight your Courtroom Battles
When the guilty party doesn’t budge, no matter how much you try to get your compensation, personal injury lawyers are prepared to take your case to court. They are experts at giving arguments and counterarguments to help you win the case. Expect that you won’t be alone because personal injury lawyers are with you every step of the way.
Find the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Dementia is an impairment that will put you in a difficult situation later. Developing dementia following a brain injury requires you to get maximum compensation for your injury.
Get the best personal injury lawyer in Houston, Texas, to handle your case. With their knowledge and expertise, they will put your best interests at heart and help you win. Your case is in good hands when you let a skilled personal injury lawyer do the work for you.