How do California doctors treat traumatic brain injuries?
California personal injury victims have several brain injury treatment options. The severity of their harm and their prognosis determine the right path to recovery.
A personal injury may leave a person with a traumatic brain injury. To build their case and protect their rights, victims deserve to know how to treat their injury and get back to their normal day-to-day life. California doctors use various methods to address and manage TBIs. By understanding their options, brain injury victims know how much to seek in compensation to cover their medical costs.
Common TBI treatments
Someone with a TBI may require surgery to address brain inflammation or bleeds. Brain injury patients require rest to feel better. How long they should take it easy depends on their doctor’s recommendation, but minor brain injuries usually only require one or two days of rest. More severe injuries often require more time. While patients should listen when instructed to rest and follow their doctor’s orders, they must take care that they do not rest too much. Spending more time than recommended on bedrest may make it hard for them to get back to their standard work, school and activity routines.
Other than treatments that help mend the body, TBI patients may need mental health counseling to help mend their emotional and mental health. Those with a brain injury may experience stress, anxiety and depression regarding their recovery and the ways their TBI affects daily life. Talking with a mental health counselor may help them navigate troubling thoughts and emotions while recovering.
Common TBI rehabilitation
Some TBI patients require speech, physical and occupational rehabilitation as part of their treatment plan. Reasons medical professionals may suggest rehabilitation include offering social support, helping patients adjust to shifts during treatment, boosting functionality at home and addressing the ways brain injuries affect the body and mind.
A person may also undergo rehabilitation to better avoid TBI complications, such as pain, blood clots, bladder and bowel complications, muscle fatigue, bedsores, decreased blood pressure and issues with sexual functioning.
While rehabilitation aims to help improve a person’s condition, it may put the patient at risk of developing new injuries. When done incorrectly, rehabilitation may also worsen existing injuries or symptoms. It makes sense for TBI patients to raise their worries with their rehabilitation team, to better reduce unnecessary risks.
Personal injury victims diagnosed with a brain injury caused by their legal situation deserve to understand their rights. Speaking with an experienced legal representative helps them understand California personal injury law and how to build a solid case.