TBI symptoms vary depending on the extent of the injury and the area of the brain affected. Some symptoms appear immediately; others may appear several days or even weeks later. A person with TBI may or may not lose consciousness—loss of consciousness is not always a sign of severe TBI.
Symptoms of Mild TBI
A person with a mild TBI may experience:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Tiredness or sleepiness
- A bad taste in the mouth
- A change in sleep habits
- Behavior or mood changes
- Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
- Loss of consciousness lasting a few seconds to minutes1
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Nausea or vomiting2
Symptoms of Moderate or Severe TBI
A person with moderate or severe TBI may have some of the symptoms listed above. In addition, the person may experience any of the following:
- Headache that gets worse or won’t go away
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Slurred speech
- Convulsions or seizures
- An inability to wake up from sleep
- Enlargement of the pupil (dark center) of one or both eyes
- Numbness or tingling of arms or legs
- Loss of coordination
- Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
- Loss of consciousness lasting a few minutes to hours3
A person who suffers a blow to the head or another trauma that may have caused a TBI should seek medical attention.4
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2012). Traumatic brain injury information page. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm [top]
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Concussion. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www.cdc.gov/concussion/signs_symptoms.html [top]
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2012). Traumatic brain injury: Hope through research. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm [top]
- American Academy of Family Physicians. Traumatic brain injury: Symptoms. Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms.html [top]