Even though all impacts to the head could have some serious repercussions on your everyday life, all brain injuries are not the same. Some accidents may lead to disturbing brain injuries. Often TBIs necessitate extensive medical treatment as they could be two in one injuries. Thesecoup-contrecoup injuries usually occur due to the shifting of soft brain tissue within the skull after an impact.
What Do You Mean by a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury?
The brain is a vital organ that is vulnerable to bruises when it goes through a fast movement and bounces off the bone that surrounds it. Whether your head was hit by a rapidly moving object or it was impacted when it hit the floor because of a fall, you may face any of the following kinds of brain damage.
- Coup: It is supposed to be the initial trauma specifically, at the impact site, like when you hit your head on the floor after slipping and falling or when your head hits against your car’s steering wheel at the time of a car collision. Coup injuries are usually associated with your stationary head impacted by a moving object.
- Contrecoup: This type of brain damage will occur just opposite the brain once the force of the first impact makes your brain strike the skull on the side, back, or front. Contrecoup injuries usually occur when a stationary object impacts your moving head (brain).
- Coup-Contrecoup: Both types of brain injury being present simultaneously, post an accident made your brain move fast and hit the skull leading to a coup-contrecoup injury. According to Flint Rehab, coup-contrecoup brain injuries classically occur when your head injury leads to damage on both sides of your brain. As they will be impacting multiple areas of your brain, these injuries may lead to various secondary complications.
Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Symptoms
- Vision problems
- Worsening or severe headache
- Ringing in your ears
- Memory loss
- Loss of Consciousness
- Light sensitivity
- Lack of Coordination
- Disorientation & Dizziness
- Difficulty in Concentrating
Causes of Coup/Contrecoup Brain Injuries
Coup/Contrecoup brain injuries take place when your head is impacted with great force. However, these brain injuries may worsen due to a lack of prompt and proper diagnosis and treatment. Some of the common causes of Coup/Contrecoup Brain Injuries are:
- Shaken baby syndrome
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Injuries because of slip and fall
- Sports injuries like injuries sustained while taking a blow during a boxing match or tackling during a football match.
- Violence is like a direct hit to your head with an object or fist.
- Whiplash during a motor accident.
- Workplace mishaps such as, tripping over equipment or being hit by falling objects.
How Can Brain Injuries Impact Your Life?
Severe brain injuries may lead to permanent mental and physical disabilities. Patients who recover would still be experiencing certain long-term symptoms and side effects. Motor deficits and disabilities may include vision issues, paralysis, issues with walking, swallowing, or even talking, memory issues, muscle stiffness, etc.
Conclusion
After a severe brain injury, your way of life is bound to change dramatically. Moreover, you may be under tremendous stress regarding the overpowering medical debt that you are overburdened with. You may get in touch with an expert personal injury lawyer who can assist you in recovering damages related to your case.