Recurring Headaches After a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Recurring headaches can greatly diminish your quality of life, especially if they start occurring after you suffer a blow that may result in a traumatic brain injury or TBI.
Simply put, TBIs can cause a lot of damage and compromise brain tissue that takes a long time to heal. Besides taking time, the recovery process can also result in grueling symptoms like severe headaches. Find more about traumatic brain injury symptoms.
So, are headaches after a blow to the head a sign of a TBI? What should you do about it? And how long will these headaches last?
Let’s answer these questions and explore what we know about headaches that occur after a blow to the head.
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Are Recurring Headaches a Sign of a TBI?
Before delving into the different types of headaches, let’s answer the burning question: Are recurring headaches a sign of a TBI?
First off, it’s important to note that TBIs only occur when there is a blow hard enough to cause the brain to shift inside of the skull. This doesn’t necessarily mean there has to be a direct hit either – your brain can shift due to whiplash, which can in turn cause a TBI.
It’s fairly common to experience headaches right after a TBI, but this can be due to immediate soreness instead of serious damage.
However, if you’re still experiencing recurring headaches after a couple of weeks, it’s best to seek medical attention, as this can be a sign of unrepaired damage to the brain.
In the case that your injuries are due to someone else’s actions or gross negligence, you may be entitled to get compensated for your medical bills and other losses.
Types of Recurring Post-TBI Headaches
Now, let’s take a look at common types of headaches and causes that may reveal the presence of a TBI.
Tension Headaches
Tension headaches are fairly common after a TBI. As the name suggests, they originate from a band-like pressure around the head, which usually stems from the muscle strain suffered during the injury.
Migraines
TBI migraines are among the more unpleasant and severe headaches you can get. These can cause throbbing pain, light sensitivity, visual disturbances, nausea, or a combination of all these symptoms, plus they can last for hours or even days.
Cervicogenic Headaches
Not all headaches occur because of damage to the head. This is the case for cervicogenic headaches, which originate from damage to the base of the neck. Tight muscles or misaligned vertebrates result in an intense headache in the back of the head, which sends shooting pain across the top of the skull to the forehead, eye, temple, and ear area.
Rebound Headaches
Rebound headaches occur when pain medication is the only thing stopping you from experiencing discomfort. In these cases, you start feeling more intense sensations every time the medication wears off, creating a cycle of incremental pain that gets worse over time.
Cluster Headaches
TBIs can sometimes cause these headaches, which consist of small clusters of pain around the eyes. This can be a sign of nerve damage and dysfunction, so it’s important to seek medical attention right away if you’re experiencing something similar.
Why Do Post-TBI Headaches Occur?
Understanding why these headaches occur is essential for finding the right treatment and ensuring a smoother recovery process. This is one of the reasons why getting the right medical attention is key.
After a traumatic brain injury, headaches can result from a variety of factors, including nerve damage, disrupted blood flow, and inflammation.
The brain’s healing process can also contribute to recurring headaches, making it difficult to predict when symptoms will subside. Additionally, stress, sleep disturbances, and muscle tension from the initial injury can make pain worse, leading to prolonged discomfort.
Potential Treatments of Post-TBI Headaches
Managing post-TBI headaches often requires a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
Depending on the type of headache, medications like anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants, or migraine-specific drugs may provide relief. Physical therapy can also help by addressing muscle tension and improving posture to reduce strain on the neck and head.
Additionally, alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and biofeedback have been effective for some TBI patients. Identifying triggers—such as certain foods, stress, or sleep disruptions—can also play a big role in headache prevention and long-term management.
Other Potential TBI Symptoms
Headaches are just one of the many symptoms that can result from a traumatic brain injury. Many individuals also experience:
- Dizziness
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Difficulty concentrating
Sleep disturbances are also common, with some people struggling with insomnia while others experience excessive fatigue. Sensory issues, including light or noise sensitivity, can also manifest and may persist long after the initial injury has taken place.
Getting the Compensation You Need to Cover Your Losses
A traumatic brain injury can lead to overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing rehabilitation costs.
If your TBI was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation to cover these expenses. Legal professionals like the attorneys at Brain Injury Law of Seattle can help you navigate the complexities of insurance policies and ensure you receive a fair settlement.
Compensation can also include non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, to account for the lasting impact of the injury. Consulting with an experienced attorney is the first step in securing the financial support you need to move forward. Click to find TBI lawyer near me.
Contact Brain Injury Law Today
If you get recurring headaches after suffering a TBI, this may be a sign that there is more damage than a simple bump to the head. There are many types of post-brain injury headaches, and some of them can be symptoms of a more severe issue.
Some TBIs consist of damage to deep brain tissues, so they may take longer to hear. In certain instances, it’s necessary to provide additional support through TBI treatment and physical rehabilitation for the body to heal fully.
If you suffered a significant blow to the head and are still experiencing severe headaches, it may be best to seek medical attention to check for additional damage. In the case that these injuries were the direct result of the actions or negligence of a third party, you may be able to file a claim and get compensation for your loss.
Contact Brain Injury Law of Seattle today, and our team of TBI claim experts will analyze your case and make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today!
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M.W., Kent, WA
"M.W. was riding his bicycle in a bike lane in Kent. He was a 24 year old elite cyclist in excellent shape. A driver of a truck in the lane next to him suddenly turned right and nicked M.W., making him fall off his bike. He was wearing his helmet. However, when he fell to the ground, his head struck the pavement along with his left shoulder. "
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