Medical Opinion
Recently, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia made an interesting decision. The court overturned a $100,000 award by the trial judge to the victim of multiple car accidents for a psychological injury suffered.
Recently, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia made an interesting decision. The court overturned a $100,000 award by the trial judge to the victim of multiple car accidents for a psychological injury suffered.
When you hear the term “traumatic brain injury,” it does not take the imagination very long to conjure up an idea of the physical damage associated with such an injury. The psychological damage, however, is another matter altogether. In fact, it is nearly impossible to “see” with the casual eye the kinds of underlying damage brain injuries cause the victims. In most cases, such damage presents as changes in behavior and emotion.
The hockey world was saddened to learn of the unexpected death of National Hockey League defenceman Steve Montador. The 35-year-old former player was discovered dead from undisclosed causes in his Mississauga, Ontario, home on February 15.
An injury to the brain should always be taken seriously because of the devastating affect it can have on the life of the person who has suffered it. Because of this, it is important that the injured individual receive the best possible treatment for the condition.
Just because someone looks healthy–without any obvious external injuries–does not mean that they are. Individuals who have suffered a brain injury, as well as their loved ones, know this all too well. The injury can reveal itself in a wide variety of symptoms that may disappear before too long, or might last for months, or even years on end. The symptoms can be physical, cognitive and emotional.
The effects of a brain injury can be long-lasting and forever change the lives of not only those who suffer the injury but their caretakers as well. Since this devastating injury can impact so many people, it is not surprising that a variety of studies would be conducted in conjunction with the injury.
In previous posts we have written about how post traumatic stress disorder could be a side effect following a brain injury or a traumatic event such as a car accident. This debilitating condition can make life difficult for those suffering from it causing a variety of symptoms including anxiety, feelings of avoidance, trouble concentrating and issues with sleeping. They may appear for a short period of time or, in other situations, last for years. They can be difficult not only for those suffering from it but close friends and family as well. There is no one treatment that can address the symptoms.
If you suffered a traumatic brain injury you may be anxious to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. For some individuals this happens fairly quickly. In other cases however the symptoms can linger long after the incident that caused the injury, dramatically impacting the life of those affected.
While readers are likely aware that people in Canada fall every day, they may not realize how many injuries–such as brain injuries–are suffered as a result. Statistics Canada reports that falls are actually the leading cause of injury in the nation. In Canada each year, more than four million residents are hurt. While older people may be the first demographic that come to mind when one thinks about those who suffer brain injuries following a fall, the reality is it happens to people of all ages.
Between Canada and the United States combined, children suffer more than 300,000 concussions each year. Brain injuries can potentially result in serious repercussions for those living with them. The best way to avoid this is to receive the treatment necessary in a timely manner. Before that can happen however, the condition must first be diagnosed. Since the symptoms of a brain injury can vary and be hard to recognize this is not always easy to do. CT scans and x-rays alone are not definitive and may expose patients to radiation unnecessarily.