what are the long term side effects of severe brain trauma?

Question

friend was mugged with severe fractures to the skull and brain damage he was hit by a large brick hard to his skull

Answer 1

Having skull fractrures is certainly concerning as it usually would be associated with internal brain injuries such as bleeding or bruising in the brain. The problem with brain injuries is that brain cells do not regenerate. Once killed off, they are gone. The function that those cells perform may be critical - however, other cells may certainly perform those same fuctions and if the damaged area is not completely damaged, there may still be good functioning.

The main problems with traumatic brain injury, whether mild or severe (ie. concussion vs intracerebral hemorrhage of some sort), tends to be in cognitive functions. Your friend may realize that he can't think or process things as quickly as before, or that he has memory lapses. Headaches and dizziness are often present as well - and while they may persist, usually to resolve.

Answer 2

There are no major long term harmful effects. As you already know it is very addictive. you really have been taking it for too long already. I'll be frank, for the past 15 years I have only used benzodiazepines ( the drug group diazepam belongs to), in epilepsy. I feel that using them in back pain is not acceptable as the risks of addiction out way any therapeutic benefit. If you want to get off them try dropping a mg at a time at 4 week intervals and it will probably be fine.

Answer 3

It really depends on what part of the brain was injured, how badly injured it was, and any number of other factors. This type of thing is something that you take one day at a time. All you are going to do by reading all of the 'what ifs' is stress yourself out or develop unreasonable expectations.

There can definitely be long term consequences, but even the medical team is likely unable to anticipate what they might be and how severe.

Answer 4

Brain trauma predisposes you to have permanent brain damage such as memory loss, Parkinson's/other movement disorders, and Alzheimer/dementia.

Have him checked out by his doctor or a neurologist.

Answer 5

there is really no knowing how severe the side effects from such trauma will be, it's a wait and see sort of thing.

Answer 6

http://www.neurologychannel.com/tbi/prognosis.shtml