I know that a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be devastating, but what about mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

A: Yes, a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be devastating.  Any time you injure your brain, you risk serious consequences.  This is because the brain is the master control center for our bodies, and even a small injury to a critical area of the brain can have far-reaching and long-lasting side effects.  On the other hand, some mild TBIs can have much less serious consequences.  It all depends on what part of the brain was damaged and how it affects the victim.

Some serious side effects that mild TBI victims can see include severe headaches, memory problems, difficulty maintaining balance, problems hearing, mood swings, difficulty maintaining self-control, tinnitus (ringing ears), sleep disturbance, and more.  While these may not seem like major issues, the effect they can have on a person’s everyday life – especially if a few symptoms combine to plague an individual every day – can be truly debilitating.