A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts, and cells begin to die. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke affects about 800,000 people in the U.S. each year. It is a serious neurological disorder, and one of the top five leading causes of death. Symptoms include the sudden onset of numbness, weakness, confusion, vision problems or headache, particularly on one side of the body.
In recent study published in the journal Neurology, researchers in the neurology department at the University of Michigan Medical School investigated the possibility of a link between strokes and traumatic brain injury, or TBI. They discovered that the risk of a stroke increases by ten times during the first three months following the injury.
Many neurological problems stem from head trauma
TBI is caused by a severe blow to the head or an object piercing the skull that affects cognitive function, and it may be the result of a fall, a car accident, violence or any other sudden head trauma. Cdc.gov states that there are approximately 1.7 million such injuries in the U.S. each year. Past research has shown that an individual who has suffered TBI may later develop epilepsy, psychiatric conditions or Alzheimer’s disease, but this study and others indicate that there is also a risk of a stroke, and when the skull bone is fractured during the injury, the risk of stroke increases.
A year after the injury, the risk of stroke is still 4.6 times higher than it is for people without head trauma, and after five years, the risk goes down to 2.3 times higher. Although researchers have not definitively identified the correlation between TBI and stroke, they speculate that it may involve damage to blood vessels interrupting the brain’s blood supply. Medical professionals recommend imaging examinations and intensive monitoring support in the first few months and years following a brain injury.
Awareness can reduce the effects of a stroke
Now that strokes have been identified as neurological risks after head injuries, researchers urge an increase in awareness about the signs and symptoms of stroke that may occur in individuals who have experienced TBIs. Recognizing the onset of a stroke and seeking medical attention immediately can significantly reduce brain damage and prevent permanent disability or death.
An individual who has experienced head trauma should be aware of the increased risk of stroke and talk to a doctor about methods to monitor neurological health. The medical expenses, pain and suffering of brain injuries and strokes affect both victims and family members, and a personal injury attorney who is knowledgeable about the laws and statutes in Illinois can provide advice and legal assistance to receive full compensation.
