Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have life-altering consequences for many victims. They are a known cause of seizures and epilepsy, which can increase your risk of additional injuries. According to research, one out of every five TBI victims suffer from seizures. Understanding the causes of seizures and the link between the seizure and your brain injury can equip you with valuable information you will need to move forward with your life.
Types of Seizures Common After a Brain Injury
Various types of seizures can result after a brain injury, most notably:
Early Seizures
Medical providers classify seizures that occur within the first week after a brain injury as early seizures. Approximately 25% of individuals who have an early post-traumatic seizure have another months or years later. The following individuals are more likely to suffer early seizures after a TBI:
- Child victims under the age of five
- Individuals with bleeding in the brain or brain swelling
- Individuals with a penetrating head injury
- Individuals who have a loss of consciousness after the injury for more than 30 minutes
People who suffer early seizures are more likely to develop post-traumatic epilepsy.
Late Seizures
Medical providers classify seizures that occur more than a week after a TBI as late seizures. Late seizures are associated with more serious injuries to brain cells. The chemical environment surrounding these cells may have also changed.
Post-Traumatic Epilepsy
The more severe the brain injury, the longer a person is at risk for developing epilepsy. Some accident victims suffer a seizure 15 years after their injury.
Early or late seizures may present before post-traumatic epilepsy. This medical condition increases the likelihood of seizures after a brain injury. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, approximately one in 50 people who suffer a TBI develop post-traumatic epilepsy.
Individuals with post-traumatic epilepsy most often suffer from focal seizures, meaning they start in one area of the brain. However, these seizures sometimes spread to the entire brain.
Why Brain Injuries Cause Seizures
Brain injuries cause chemical, structural, and functional changes that result in seizures. The type of changes that occur in brain tissue after a traumatic brain injury depends on the kind of trauma, including:
- Closed head injuries – These injuries often result in bleeding, swelling, or bruising of the brain. There may also be a lack of blood flow to tissue.
- Penetrating injuries – These injuries can form scar tissue over the brain injury, making epilepsy more likely.
Medical Treatment for Seizures
Medications can help to manage seizures. Antiseizure medications are often the first type of medication that healthcare providers prescribe after a TBI. It is essential to control seizures quickly to lower the risk of further brain injury, and medication can be an effective way to do so.
Medical providers may order blood tests to ensure you are receiving enough medication and not having side effects. If medications are not effective, your healthcare professional may refer you to a specialist or order additional tests, such as brain wave tests.
If someone else was responsible for your or a loved one’s brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation. This can help pay for your medical expenses and other damages.
Contact Us for a Free Case Review
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence in a motor vehicle accident, reach out to our Albuquerque brain injury attorney at Caruso Law Offices today for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights and options for pursuing financial recovery. Contact us today to get started.
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