Traumatic brain injuries occur in people of all ages and sexes although statistically young men under thirty years of age are more likely to sustain such an injury. The injury may be caused by a fall, a road traffic accident, a deliberately inflicted injury or a physiological problem such as a hemorrhage. The tricky thing with brain injuries is that they do not always manifest immediately. The initial assessment in the emergency treatment room may well miss the fact that serious trauma has occurred. This is in no way a reflection on the abilities of the medical staff, but simply an observation on the nature of the condition.

If you or anyone around you has suffered any form of injury to the head they should be monitored for a period of 48 hours. The signs to look for, which may suggest a traumatic brain injury, are as follows:

• Headaches. These may take any form manifesting in the temples or all over the head. Sometimes the pain starts in the base of the skull and extends over the cranium. The pain may be constant or intermittent.

• Memory. Has there been any problem with memory? Does the injured person recall the moment of the injury? Do they recognize friends and family? Another sign of memory problems is if the injured person keeps repeating themselves, forgetting what they have already said.

• Sleep. The injured person may want to sleep more than usual and have noticeably lower energy levels

• Emotions. A traumatic brain injury may be indicated by a change in emotional state. Anger, irritability or depression may be displayed. There could be an impulsiveness in behavior that is not usual.

Do not be fooled into thinking that there has to be a direct blow to the head for a traumatic brain injury to occur. The whiplash movement of the head in a car accident can be enough to cause damage to the brain through bruising and bleeding. This in turn can cause swelling and more trauma. All of this happens without there being any visible sign of injury. In fact, it is this kind of closed skull injury that can have the most serious consequences as treatment can be delayed and the pressure that builds up within the brain can cause more damage than the original injury.

If a traumatic brain injury is suspected it is essential that medical treatment is sought and this will mean going to hospital and in all probability being admitted, even if it is only for observation. Hospitals can be frightening places for the injured person and for their family members. The information that is available tends to be in medical terminology and at a level of technical speak that makes it virtually incomprehensible for the average person. It is important that the situation and the possible treatments are explained in ways everyone can understand and appreciate.

If a traumatic brain injury is diagnosed and treated efficiently, the damage can be limited. There is no doubt that traumatic brain injuries change lives but the effect of this change can be minimized through seeking the help and support that is widely available not only through the medical services but also local and national traumatic brain injury associations.