Brain injuries are common in all types of accidents, and pedestrians and drivers of motor vehicles are particularly at risk. One of the most dangerous aspects of brain injuries is that they do not always show up immediately after the accident.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, brain injuries manifest in both short- and long-term effects. They can affect both the mental and physical states of the injured and may show up uniquely in different people.
Post-injury changes and long-term effects
Because brain injuries affect both the mental and physical sides of the body, the injured are at a higher risk of unemployment, severe or moderate disability or the use of illicit drugs and alcohol. Many rely on others to get through everyday activities up to five years after the injury occurs.
Those who suffer a brain injury are also at a higher risk for developing a long list of medical conditions, including the following:
- Endocrine disorders
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Fatigue or seizures
- Depression
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pneumonia
Not all brain injuries have long-term effects, but all require immediate treatment. Any time an accident causes a head injury, a medical professional should monitor anyone involved for a serious brain injury that may not manifest itself for several days or even weeks after the accident.
Reduce effects of brain injury
It is possible sometimes to reduce the long-term effects of a brain injury with regular cognitive and physical exercise, but others are so extreme that the injured may need care for the rest of their lives.