TBI Signs and Symptoms
Some symptoms are evident immediately, while others do not surface until several days or weeks after the injury. 
With mild TBI, the patient may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. The person may also feel dazed or not like him- or herself for several days or weeks after the initial injury. Other symptoms include:
headache
mental confusion
lightheadedness
dizziness
double vision, blurred vision, or tired eyes
ringing in the ears
bad taste in the mouth
fatigue or lethargy
a change in sleep patterns
behavioral or mood changes
trouble with memory, concentration, or calculation
symptoms may remain the same or get better; worsening symptoms indicate a more severe injury
With moderate or severe TBI, the patient may show these same symptoms, but may also have:
loss of consciousness
personality change
a severe, persistent, or worsening headache
repeated vomiting or nausea
seizures
inability to awaken
dilation (widening) of one or both pupils
slurred speech
weakness or numbness in the extremities
loss of coordination
increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
vomiting and neurological deficit (e.g. weakness in a limb) together are important indicators of prognosis and their presence may warrant early CT scanning and neurosurgical intervention.
Small children with moderate to severe TBI may show some of these signs as well as signs specific to young children, including:
persistent crying
inability to be consoled
refusal to nurse or eat
Anyone with signs of moderate or severe TBI should receive immediate emergency medical attention.
