Beyond the Fall, can a Small Fall Lead to Brain Trauma?

In short, yes. However, when we think of elderly loved ones suffering from a fall, often our first instinct is to worry about a broken hip or skeletal injury. While these injuries can be very problematic, reduce mobility, and perhaps even lead to moving a loved one to an assisted living center, there are other potential injuries that caregivers need to keep in mind in the aftermath of a fall: brain trauma.

Even without a concussion or clear indications of head injury, falls can cause invisible trauma to the brain. Unseen mental, emotional, or psychological damage may result from this kind of injury. So, it can be more difficult to know what to look for.

Facts to know about falls and traumatic brain injuries

Reaction times are slower for us as we age. So, even a little fall from the bed or misstep onto a carpeted floor can leave elderly loved ones a bit sore. Beyond that, the implications could be much more critical. When we look at the facts for brain injuries we can better understand the risk falls can pose, especially for the elderly.

Falls are easily the most common cause of Traumatic Brain Injury hospitalizations according to the CDC.

Even more important to know as a caregiver, is that age plays a critical role in deaths related to TBI incidents and unintentional falls. In 2017 those aged 75+ had incredibly high rates of deaths of all age groups measured (CDC). Despite this, many hesitate to visit the doctor. However, no matter how small the fall it is a good practice to visit a medical professional even if you don’t spot any symptoms or signs of injury. Especially because the risk of a fall often increases for those with a history of previous falls.

After the fall: Signs and symptoms to keep in mind

As a caregiver, it is important to keep in mind the various signs that could indicate brain injury following any kind of fall. Internal bleeding, bruising, and tissue damage can cause long-term injury or worse. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Mild injury:

Physical symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness, or speech impairment. Other symptoms may be sensory-related, such as sensitivity to light and sound or ringing in the ears, and blurry vision.

More difficult to access but sometimes even more critical are the behavioral or psychological symptoms. For instance, these symptoms should be a cause for concern: confusion, disoriented behavior, memory lapse, concentration problems, mood swings, depression, anxiety, sleeping difficulties, or even sleeping too much.

Moderate to severe injuries:

It is often much more clear when a more serious problem is at hand.

Physical symptoms for more severe brain injuries may include: Concussion, loss of consciousness, headache, excessive vomiting and nausea, seizures, abnormal dilation of pupils, clear fluid draining from ear or nose, weakness in fingers or toes, and loss of coordination.

The cognitive or mental symptoms will be similar to those listed above, but may have more severe indicators such as slurred speech, aggressiveness, and even falling into a coma.

Prevention and care

Even the healthiest individuals can fall or find themselves in a slippery situation ending with a hard impact that makes them feel out of sorts or even suffering pain and broken bones. As we age, these little falls can lead to much more serious problems.

It’s important to always consider in what ways you can help reduce the risk of falls with preventative measures. Encouraging elderly loved ones to stay mobile and maintain physical ability through gentle exercise can help them stay healthy and strong.