How Do Physicians Diagnose Brain Injuries?

If you get into a serious accident, you could be at risk for a brain injury. These injuries typically occur after a violent jolt or blow to the head and can result in short-term symptoms that resolve after a few days to lasting brain damage.

Brain injuries are a common type of injury (the Brain Trauma Foundation reports that every year, 2.5 million people sustain a brain injury). Even so, prompt and correct diagnosis by a physician can help prevent long-term complications and in severe cases, death.

Generalized injury information

A physician may be able to diagnose a brain injury and determine its severity by getting general information about the car accident or construction accident. A physician may ask you how the accident occurred, if you lost consciousness and the types of symptoms you have experienced up to this point.

Imaging tests

A doctor can also diagnose a brain injury by taking a computerized tomography (CT) scan or by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Both of these tests typically occur in a hospital in an emergency setting.

Intracranial pressure monitor

If you have a brain injury, the pressure inside of your skull may increase. To monitor this pressure, a doctor may insert a probe into the skull.

The symptoms you experience, and the severity of the injury, will likely impact the type of diagnostic tools a physician uses while providing care. Seek emergency medical assistance immediately if you lose consciousness or your symptoms worsen rapidly following the initial trauma to your head.