War veterans who experienced head injuries might return home from duty and think these wounds are healed, but a study conducted by St. Michael’s Hospital shows that traumatic brain injuries could still have an impact on someone years after an incident occurred.
Concussions Change the Brain
A concussion is a mild form of TBI that typically results in short-term symptoms. However, this study found that physical changes in the brain were present much longer than expected. Blood flow changes, size changes and other physical differences were found in the brains of athletes who had suffered concussions months or years earlier.
The Damage Caused
Those who experienced concussions showed brain volume loses between 10-20% in the frontal lobe. Athletes who never experienced concussions did not have changes like this in their brain scans. The frontal lobe is used for speech, problem solving and decision-making, so even a mild TBI could disrupt one’s life.
Long-term Symptoms
There are many symptoms that might appear when suffering from a concussion. These symptoms typically go away after time, but other problems could arise later if the brain shrinks. When the brain shrinks, one might experience:
- Communication trouble
- Emotional problems
- Poor motor control
- Cognitive difficulties
As the problems discussed are associated with mild TBIs, those who experience more severe brain injuries might have even larger issues that could be present for a long time after an injury. To deal with the side effects related to traumatic brain injuries, veterans may need disability benefits from the VA. If you or a loved one is having trouble getting the appropriate compensation from the VA, contact us today.
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