Noteboom The Law Firm

Mild Brain Injury Symptoms May Not Be Permanent

January 7, 2011 - Researchers at the Minneapolis, Minn. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center are conducting a survey of Minnesota National Guard soldiers who were deployed to Iraq between 2006 and 2007. Preliminary results point to evidence showing most soldiers suffering from mild brain injury or concussions will see their injuries fade over time. This could end up helping soldiers and veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) ensure they are being given proper treatment.

The problem lies in the actual reporting of injuries; many reported injuries are inaccurate for one reason or another. Soldiers reporting injuries that dazed or confused them or rendered them unconscious often have difficulty accurately describing their injury. Of the 950 National Guard soldiers interviewed, up to 22% of them said they suffered at least a mild traumatic brain injury over the time of their deployment.

Concussion is another word for mild brain injury, which is typically much less severe than moderate brain injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). However, they all share many symptoms which are all classified as post-concussive symptoms, these include:

• Headaches;
• Difficulty concentrating;
• Irritability;
• Difficulties with memory; and/or
• Ringing in the ears.

The survey focused on determining if there were any connections between concussions and PTSD symptoms. Researchers found that soldiers who had sustained a concussion or a mild TBI history had a very low risk of any long-term negative issues, as long as PTSD symptoms and effects were not taken into consideration. They also found that a mild TBI will not intensify PTSD symptoms. Additionally, researchers discovered that many soldiers believe they have a brain injury when in reality they are suffering from PTSD. This will hopefully result in more accurate diagnoses, which hopefully begets proper treatment.