If you have suffered from a brain injury, you likely have a long recovery process ahead of you. Along the way, there will be a lot of different ups and downs. Every person is different, but there are some common problems that may accompany the different types of brain injuries. Whether you are suffering from one or all of these common problems, there are a few different ways that you can handle them. The main thing to remember, no matter which problem you are facing, is to not get frustrated. The more stress that you put on your brain and body, the slower your recovery process will be. Instead, follow these tips on how to best handle some of the common problems that you may be facing.
Memory Impairments
After a brain injury, many people find themselves having difficulty with their memory. There are a few different types of memory loss, including immediate memory, short-term memory, long-term memory, and different types of amnesias. No matter what type of memory loss you are suffering, there are a few tips to keep in mind in order to get yourself on the right track.
- Be organized: Being organized can help the brain function and remember things more easily than if the thoughts and ideas are scattered. If you begin a task, finish it all the way through. This will help your brain index that event more easily than if the task is incomplete or overhanging.
- Break information down into smaller chunks: Memory is stronger when you feed it smaller bits of information instead of a lot at one time. Relearn information in small pieces instead of trying to learn it all back at once. This is the reason phone numbers are broken up into smaller chunks rather than nine numbers in a row. Using this tactic can prove to make processing and storing information an easier process.
- Create a planner: Having a planner can prove to be very beneficial for those who are working on improving their memory. There are two things to keep in mind when writing in your planner: only keep one planner and write things down when they are fresh in their mind. It is important to not keep multiple planners.
These are just a few tips to help build memory. Some other things include creating to-do lists, seeing a memory specialist, and using word association. While these things can help to improve memory, there are also things that can hinder this memory recovery process, including sleep, fatigue, and strong emotions. If you are feeling very emotional, your memories can be skewed and altered. If you associate certain strong emotions with certain memories, this may make it more difficult to call upon one of these memories when you are not experiencing this emotion.
Headaches
After you have endured a traumatic brain injury, it is common to suffer from headaches for months or even years to come. There are many different types of headaches, including neck and shoulder related headaches, migraines, and stabbing headaches. Prior to your injury, you may have experienced these types of headaches, but they will most likely feel different following your injury. Pain may be heightened and you may be worried that it is the onset of something worse. When this occurs, the best thing that you can do is remain calm and consider possible treatments.
The first thing that you should do is talk with your doctor. They may know a specific cause for your headaches and be able to identify an appropriate response, whether it be through medication or some other form of treatment, to decrease these headaches. Physical therapy is always an option as well. When working with a physical therapist, the idea that the pain may get worse before it gets better is stressed, so many people become frustrated, causing even more headaches. If you have been experiencing a headache that affects the neck and the shoulders, warm compresses and baths can be your friend, allowing your muscles to easily relax.
Self-medication is not always the best answer. Taking too much of one medication can cause even worse headaches and other side-affects. If you are going to take a lot of the same medication to treat a headache, it is best that a doctor or medical professional prescribe this medication.
Although the root cause may be your brain injury, headaches can also be caused and affected by the food that you are eating, the liquids that you are drinking, and the amount and quality of sleep that you are getting. Make sure that you are being smart about how you treat your body. Following a brain injury, your body needs to be in the best health as possible. This can be easier said than done, however, so it is best to keep a diary about what you eat and drink, your sleep, and the patterns of your headaches.
Other Common Problems
During the recovery process of a brain injury, there are many other common problems that you may face. Just like memory problems and headaches, the most important thing to remember is to not worry. Speaking with your doctor can help you through these problems in the best and healthiest way possible. Some other common problems include organization, feeling overloaded, sleeping disorders, and trouble finding words. These problems affect a lot of people who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury—you are not alone.
If your brain injury has occurred due to the negligence of another individual, the best thing to do is contact an experienced personal injury attorney. At Finney Law Office, LLC, we want to help you through this difficult time. You deserve compensation for not only your medical bills, but the pain and suffering that you are enduring. Call us today.
Continue reading through our Brain Injury Guide:
- Brain Injury Guide Homepage
- What to Do Following a Brain Injury
- How Families Can Cope Following the Brian Injury of a Loved One
Read More About Traumatic Brain Injuries
- General Brain Injuries
- Traumatic Brain Injuries Practice Area Page
- Concussion Practice Area Page
- Traumatic Brain Injury Blog
- Is It Just a Concussion?
- Concussion in Car Accidents
- Football Mythbusters
- Traumatic Brain Injury Infographic
Source: www.tbiguide.com