Brain Injury Brain Injury Cartoon characters may have anvils dropped on their heads and barely miss a step, but head injuries can have long-term consequences. Post- traumatic disorders that follow brain injury also may include headaches and psychological difficulties. Studies on athletes have shown that a second head injury soon after a previous injury may cause more severe damage or even death. Doctors say a lot of people may avoid seeking treatment for pain and difficulties following a head injury because of cultural attitudes.
Movies show action heroes taking severe blows to the head without their performance being impaired.
The prevalence of injury-related lawsuits may even make doctors suspicious of patients who complain of nagging pain. Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center say parents may not even be aware their children have had an injury causing brain trauma. A child may have fallen off a bicycle, for example, without the parent realizing that the injury was severe. If someone who's been hit in the head seems disoriented or confused after the injury, even if they didn't lose consciousness, there's a possibility of brain injury and a doctor should be consulted. Loss of consciousness is a sign of a possibly severe injury.