Symptoms of TBI

Visual Disturbances 

• Occur in 30-85% of cases
• Blurred vision, photo sensitivity, change in field of vision, anomalies of accommodation
• Difficulties of accommodation are the most common symptoms of blunt force trauma and include difficulty reading through the inability to recognize words and abnormal eye movement or skipping lines 
• Abnormalities of vergence result in occasional or constant eye strain which causes one to see the print on a book as “shimmering” or “floating” 
• Light sensitivity causing pain and headaches 

Altered Smells or Tastes 

Cranial nerve damage is a common finding in mild to moderate head injury. One of the results can be a loss or alteration in the sensation of smell and therefore in the sensation of taste. 

In a recent study by Varney, a PET scan was able to detect the specific damage associated with anosmia. The patient can have altered tastes from before the occurrence of the injury and an inability to cook properly due to anosmia (lack of smell).

Endocrine/Glandular Dysfunction

• In moderate and severe cases, glandular disruptions are the cause of sexual dysfunction in TBI victims
• Glandular dysfunction following a traumatic injury can also result in onset cranial diabetes insipidus. It is important to track your symptoms after an accident and look for those that may hint at diabetes: unusual thirst, change in urination, lightheadedness, fainting)
• Other common symptoms include fatigue, depression, hypothyroidism, and hypoadrenalism.

Vertigo/Dizziness