Differeng levels of brain and head injury

Mild to severe brain and head injuries

A traumatic brain injury results from a sudden, violent blow to the head that causes damage. Common symptoms for brain injuries include confusion, headaches and blurred vision. Severe brain trauma could lead to a vegetative comatose state. Levels of brain injuries (mild, moderate and severe) are classified according to the 1.) severity, 2.) time spent unconscious and 3.) recovery time needed to return basic body functions.

Victims should immediately go to the hospital after a head injury (concussion) to prevent long-term damage. Brain damage might be hidden; doctors will ensure that victims receive increased oxygen, pain relief and medical tests. Typically, brain surgery is required to remove hematomas (ruptured blood vessels) and contusions (bruised brain tissue) in order for the brain to recover properly.

The first brain injury level includes many different types: traumatic brain injury, acquired brain injury and skull fractures, to name a few. The brain injury location determines which body functions will be affected and how likely recovery will occur.

The second brain injury level gauges "time spent in a vegetative state". This will affect body function recovery, since the loss of oxygen to the brain, during prolonged periods of coma, leads to more brain cells being damaged.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used for victims who lapse into unconsciousness and develop amnesia, based on period of time in these states: mild (coma for less than half an hour with amnesia not lasting longer than one day), moderate (coma for half an hour to a week with amnesia lasting longer than one day and less than one week) and severe (coma for more than a week and amnesia lasting longer than a week).

The third brain injury level criteria is dependent on time and likelihood of recovering basic body functions, (eye opening, verbal and motor skills) responding to stimuli:

Eye opening - 1.) none, 2.) physical, 3.) sound, and 4.) independent;
Verbal - 1.) none, 2.) sounds, 3.) babble, 4.) unfocussed talk, and 5.) normal conservation;
Motor - 1.) none, 2.) extending, 3.) flexing, 4.) reacting, 5.) targeting, and 6.) obeying.

Legal concerns for brain injury levels are concerned with how long for recovery of basic functions, which basic functions will return to "normal" pre-accident levels and how independent the victim will be thereafter. Proper legal and insurance compensation must cover pain, lost wages and medical costs for long-term hospitalisation and rehabilitation.

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