A herniation is an abnormal tissue protruding through an opening. When it comes to personal injury accidents, the most common types of herniation include brain herniation and herniated discs. Here, we discuss the dangers of both injuries and how to best treat them.
What is a Brain Herniation?
Abrain herniation happens when blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue shift from their original location inside the skull. It is a medical emergency that requires medical attention right away. This is because brain herniation can be deadly if not treated right away.
Brain swelling usually causes brain herniation. When the brain swells, it places undue pressure on the brain tissues. This compresses and pushes parts of the brain and forces them to squeeze into other areas.
The leading causes of brain herniation are:
● Accidents that cause head and brain injuries, resulting in swelling or cerebral edema and/or subdural hematoma, in which the blood pools on the surface of the brain beneath the skull
● Brain bleeds or hemorrhage
● Stroke
● Brain tumor
It’s vital to note that the symptoms of brain herniation vary, particularly the moment they appear. For instance, it can occur right after or an hour after a serious motor vehicle accident. Following a stroke, brain herniation symptoms may appear within a couple of days. Likewise, symptoms start slowly and then suddenly worsen in a person with a brain tumor.
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc happens when a disc between two vertebrae breaks and its contents pop out. This in turn results in the disc collapsing, causing them to put pressure on the nerves. It is typically caused by degeneration and drying out of the disc, which is a common aging process. But, it can also result from improper physical movements and motor vehicle accidents.
During a motor vehicle accident, a herniated disc can occur when the impact of the crash results in one of the vertebrae pushing into the spinal canal, where it can become compressed and irritate or place pressure on the spinal cord. While a herniated disc is not fatal, it can sometimes result in nerve damage that causes permanent disability.
When dealing with a herniated disc, you must watch out and get emergency care for serious nerve compression symptoms, including losing sensation in the shoulders and/or limbs, loss of balance, and/or loss of bowel or bladder control.
Speak to Our Experienced Tampa Personal Injury Attorneys Today
Brain herniation and herniated discs, depending on their severity and related symptoms, can lead to secondary conditions that need extensive and expensive treatments temporarily or permanently. Thus prompt, proper, and ongoing medical treatment is necessary to manage their side effects.
Get in touch with Hancock Injury Attorneys for any concerns or questions about your personal injury case. Our Tampa personal injury attorneys can tell you all about your legal options and sources of financial compensation. Discuss your case in a free case evaluation with one of our personal injury attorneys in Tampa by calling 813-915-1110 or filling out ouronline form.
