What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Brain Stem Injuries?

Causes and Symptoms of Brain Stem Injuries

Written by Jeremy D. Earle, JD

April 18, 2023

BRAIN INJURIES IN COLORADO SPRINGS

The brain stem (or brainstem) connects the spinal cord to the brain and is located at the base of the  brain. It regulates both voluntary and involuntary bodily activities. The transmission of information from the brain is responsible for vital activities such as breathing, heartbeat, and digestion.

The brain stem  also controls other activities such as face movement and muscular control. The brain stem connects our bodies to our cerebral cortex. It’s no surprise that brainstem injuries are generally fatal.

We do a lot of things in our daily lives without even thinking about it. However, many of these everyday duties are critical not just to enjoy the lives we desire to live but also to remain alive. Breathing, heart rhythm, blood pressure, swallowing, and digestion are among these functions.

While these processes occur in our bodies without our knowledge, this does not rule out the possibility that our brains are participating in them. These thoughtless processes may be attributed to the interaction between the cerebral cortex and the brain stem. As a result, it’s simple to see how brain stem damage might have serious implications.

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THE ROLE OF THE BRAIN STEM

The brain stem functions as a relay station that sends and receives information from the cerebral cortex  throughout the body. The midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata are the three structures that make up  the brain stem.

The midbrain is responsible for muscular movement, notably eye movement, and  auditory and visual processing. The brain stem’s pons is important because signals from the cerebral  cortex pass via it on their way to the spinal cord. Finally, the medulla oblongata controls our respiration, blood pressure, heart rhythms, and swallowing.

Our bodies would be two parts without the brain stem, the brain on one side and our bodies on the  other, both of which would be dead without each other. The brain stem connects the two sides of the  brain, allowing us to live the complicated, meaningful lives we do every day without ever realizing how vital our brain stems are.

If we are engaged if results in brain stem damage, however, the significance of  the brain stem becomes unavoidable.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR BRAIN STEM IS DAMAGED?

When a brain stem injury occurs as a result of an accident, the consequences may be severe. In reality,  damage to the midbrain, pons, or medulla oblongata results in “brain death,” and the unlucky victim of  the injury cannot recover. While brain stem damage may result in death, even injuries that do not result in death can result in serious brain stem injury symptoms.

Because so many vital life processes are situated in and passed via the brain stem, a brain stem injury is frequently the most devastating damage a person may endure short of death.

For example, following brain stem damage, a person may have the locked-in syndrome, a condition in which a person is completely conscious but unable to move or speak save by blinking or moving their eyes.

Despite the devastating symptoms of the disorder, a person suffering from locked-in syndrome may live in a vegetative state for decades.

Brain stem injuries may affect a person’s memory, cause paralysis, and even alter their personality. Furthermore, since the brain stem is in charge of essential body activities, any of those functions may be  halted or hampered if the brain stem is injured.

It’s not unusual for brain stem damage and respiratory issues to occur together. A person may be forced to use a breathing machine for the rest of their life due  to this.

Even if brain stem damage does not result in breathing difficulties, it might result in many other issues.  The brain stem, for example, might get crushed due to enlargement, resulting in bleeding and a stroke.

While severe brain stem injuries may end in death, lower brain stem damage, while possibly less  catastrophic, can result in several complications. For example, lower brain stem damage might result in  loss of consciousness that lasts anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes.

A person may become bewildered, confused, or disoriented as a result of the damage. Severe headaches, nausea or vomiting,  exhaustion or sleepiness, speech issues, trouble sleeping, or sleeping more than usual are all possible  side effects of the damage.

Although brain stem damage might be transient, it can also be long-term or even permanent. Because the brain stem is positioned deep inside the base of our brains, it is very difficult to treat and heal if it is  injured.

Treatment usually falls into one of two categories: either no treatment is possible, or emergency surgery is necessary to preserve the person’s life. Victims of major brain stem damage will  almost always need hospice care since they will no longer care for themselves.

WHAT CAUSES BRAIN STEM INJURIES?

From a brain stem damage car accident to slipping and falling, brain stem injuries may occur in several ways. Whiplash may cause brain stem damage in the event of an car collision. Slipping and falling may cause blunt force trauma to the head, resulting in the hemorrhaging described above.  Motorcycle accidents in Las Vegas are one of the most prevalent causes of brain stem damage.

You must speak with an attorney if you have been in an accident and have sustained brain stem damage. Brain stem injuries are among the most devastating injuries a person may get since the care required after the injury is costly and may last the victim’s whole life.

Furthermore, a person’s capacity to work may be injured as a result of the injury. If you have been involved in an accident involving brain stem damage, please call Valiente Mott, a Las Vegas personal  injury law company, for a free consultation now.

THE EFFECTS OF BRAIN STEM INJURIES ON THE THREE PARTS OF THE BRAIN STEM

The brain stem comprises three sections that work together to keep the body’s key processes running smoothly.

THE PONS

A little part of the brain stem that delivers and receives neurological impulses between the  cerebellum and the medulla oblongata.

THEMIDBRAIN

Vision, hearing, motor control, sleep, alertness, and temperature regulation are linked to the midbrain.

THEMEDULLAOBLONGATA

This structure is directly related to the spinal cord and governs reflexes such  as coughing, sneezing, and swallowing. Ventilation and the cardiovascular system are also regulated.

Damage to just one of these brain stem parts is terrible enough, but when all three of these areas are injured, the results may be disastrous. The heartbeat and breathing may stop, resulting in death.

Because of the enlargement, the brain stem might get squeezed, resulting in bleeding and stroke. This may cause speech problems, breathing problems, including sleep apnea, and swallowing problems.

There may be personality changes and memory loss in severe instances.

Loss of consciousness, coma, and paralysis may occur in extreme instances. A victim may be left in a vegetative condition for the rest of his or her life, or death may come quickly due to heart and lung failure. Treatments for brain stem injuries are essentially non-existent due to their remote position deep  inside the lower brain.

A VARIETY OF FACTORS CAUSES INJURIES TO THE BRAIN STEM.

Accidents involving cars and motorcycles are the biggest cause of brain stem damage. They  have an impact on individuals of all ages. Seatbelts in cars and helmets on motorcycles have been  demonstrated to protect against these injuries.

Decreased frontal and backward neck hyperflexion, as well as reduced twisting, provide this protection. These are two severe movements that, in many circumstances, may result in brain stem damage.

INJURIES TO THE BRAIN BECAUSE OF THE FALLS

Falls from high areas, such as trees, windows, ladders, or roofs, may cause brain stem injuries. Children  are vulnerable to these sorts of injuries as a result of various sports and recreational activities. Brain  stem injuries may occur through falls off playground equipment and from skateboarding, biking, horseback riding, and participating in contact sports. Youth and adults alike have been demonstrated to benefit from protective headwear.

CONSEQUENCES OF A BRAIN STEM INJURY

A person who survives brain stem damage will confront various mental, physical, emotional, and  financial obstacles. Depending on the severity of the damage, these obstacles might continue for a long  period, possibly a lifetime. You may lose your job or be unable to work at all. There may be a need for

further treatment and rehabilitation. To live anything like a normal existence, the individual may become completely reliant on others. In many circumstances, the damage that wreaked havoc on a person’s life was caused by the negligence of another party.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A SKILLED BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEY

A person who has suffered brain stem damage due to another’s carelessness must immediately seek the  advice of an expert brain injury attorney. In certain circumstances, a settlement mill or general practice  attorney will not suffice.

The experienced brain injury attorney understands the long-term expenses of the damage and the high level of pain and suffering, impaired quality of life, and loss of consortium.

The  lawyer will not settle the case for a sum that seems to be a lot of money at the moment but is really a small percentage of the lawsuit’s worth. He or she will fight tenaciously for the case’s genuine worth, even if it means a courtroom battle in front of a jury. The lawyer is aware of previous wins and intends to  exceed them.

SEEK THE ADVICE OF A KNOWLEDGEABLE COLORADO BRAIN INJURY ATTORNEY.

Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, is prepared to fight for the greatest reward for traumatic brain injury plaintiffs. They have the necessary experience and perseverance to succeed. Schedule a free consultation with an expert brain injury attorney immediately if you or a loved one has been wounded due to the carelessness or malice of another.

You may be entitled to a considerable financial settlement for current and future medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Don’t put it off any longer; contact Warrior Car Accident Lawyers, right now.

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