Dementia Signs After a Traumatic Brain Injury

One of the most serious complications that can follow a TBI is the development of dementia. Why does this happen and what are some of the dementia signs and symptoms for which to watch?

Development of Dementia Following a Head Injury

The brain is in control of an individual’s consciousness, their personality, judgment, motor, and sensory functions. Because of this, a severe head injury could impact one or more of these faculties. Depending on the location of the brain, an individual could suffer severe personality changes that could lead to dementia. Specifically, the frontal cortex of the brain is in charge of executive functioning. This includes abilities such as:

• Judgment
• Inhibition
• Expression of emotion
• Problem-solving
• Following multi-step commands
• Production and interpretation of language

All of these play an important role in someone’s personality. Therefore, if the frontal cortex is damaged, all of these characteristics can become impaired. This can lead to the development of dementia. What are some of the signs and symptoms of dementia?

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia can take many different forms and all of them are difficult for families to process. Some of the most common forms of dementia include:

Alzheimer’s Disease: This is the most common form of dementia. Someone who develops Alzheimer’s often has severe memory impairment. They might forget the names and faces of loved ones. This can confuse and frustrate them, making individuals short-tempered as well. Individuals with this disease could also have trouble remembering places, destinations, times, and dates.

Frontotemporal Dementia: Someone who has suffered damage to his or her frontal and temporal lobe can develop this form of dementia. This disease is marked by issues with judgment and inhibition. People may say or do things at socially inappropriate times. They also have trouble making financial decisions which can place the family under extreme stress.

Dementia from Strokes: Someone who has suffered a TBI can also have recurrent strokes. This form of dementia is marked by abrupt, repeated loss of motor and sensory functions along with mental capabilities. As someone has more strokes, they lose more abilities. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical to stopping the strokes.

Clearly, dementia comes in all different shapes and sizes; however, all of them deserve the attention of a trained medical professional. While there aren’t any medications that are available to reverse dementia after it has started, there are treatments that can slow the progression. Therefore, it is vital to seek medical care as quickly as possible. Where else can families look for help during their time of need?

Contacting a Personal Injury Law Firm

Watching a loved one develop dementia can be difficult. Even though the person is physically there, the family member or friend has suffered a drastic personality change. When this develops secondary to a TBI, this is often more difficult because there are lots of other complications that typically come with this injury. When families need help following an accident, it is always a good idea to meet with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer in Redding. A trained attorney can help by:

• Helping families make decisions in an objective manner during a difficult time.
• Assisting individuals in pursuing damages that are related to their medical injuries and complications, including pain and suffering.
• Ensuring that the liability for the accident has been appropriately assigned.
• Taking the case to trial if this is needed.

Nobody should feel alone following a traumatic brain injury. Speak with a Redding Brain Injury Attorney today. Your family could be deserving of a financial reward.

Redding Brain Injury Attorney