Developing Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Following a TBI

When a person bumps or strikes their head on an object, they may develop a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is a very serious injury that can cause issues with the function of the brain. Individuals diagnosed with TBIs may have problems understanding, communicating, thinking, and solving problems. Another serious complication that can arise from a TBI is post-traumatic epilepsy.

What is post-traumatic epilepsy?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, post-traumatic epilepsy is when an individual experiences “recurrent and unprovoked post-traumatic seizures that occur at least 1 week after traumatic brain injury.” If an individual has seizures within the first week after their TBI diagnosis, these are referred to as post-traumatic seizures, rather than epilepsy.

According to the Epilepsy Foundation, there is a correlation between the severity of a traumatic head injury, and the likelihood of developing post-traumatic epilepsy. A person who suffers a penetrating head injury, diffuse axonal injury, a severe skull fracture, intracranial hematomas, or another serious TBI are very likely to develop post-traumatic epilepsy. Seizures within the first week or coma lasting more than 24 hours are also early predictors that an individual may develop post-traumatic epilepsy. Around 1 in 50 people with TBIs end up developing post-traumatic epilepsy.

What causes TBIs?

The main cause of post-traumatic epilepsy is a TBI. If you have a concussion, coup-contrecoup injury, contusion, or any other type of TBI, you are at risk of developing post-traumatic epilepsy.

TBIs can be caused by any blow or severe impact to the head or skull. Therefore, if you are in a car accident, fall down a set of stairs, sustain injuries in a sports accident, or are assaulted by a person, there is a good chance that you could have a TBI. If you suspect that you might have a TBI, you should seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Your doctor will run tests and look at your brain to see if there are any injuries present.

What does a seizure “look” like?

People who develop seizure disorders like post-traumatic epilepsy may experience a range of symptoms. They may not know they are having a seizure, either.  Some of the more common signs and symptoms include:

• Staring into the air
• Unresponsiveness
• Shaking of the body or body parts (head, arms, legs)
• Stiffness
• Inability to speak
• Confused thoughts
• Inability to understand
• Hearing strange sounds
• Odd tastes in the mouth
• Smelling strange smells
• Loss of consciousness
• Anxiety or fear
• Breathing issues
• Rapid eye blinking

When a seizure occurs, the individual is experiencing an “electrical discharge” in the brain. This causes their symptoms to begin.

The long-term ramifications of post-traumatic epilepsy

Post-traumatic epilepsy usually occurs within the first two years after a TBI diagnosis, so it is critical that healthcare providers and family members keep a close eye on these patients for the first 24 months following the injury. If they do not have any seizures, their chance of developing post-traumatic epilepsy decreases after five years.

About 25 to 40 percent of patients with post-traumatic epilepsy end up in remission. However, their chances of having seizure remission depend on how many seizures they experience, and how often they occur.

How to treat post-traumatic epilepsy

If a person has one seizure after being diagnosed with a TBI, their healthcare provider should begin treatment as quickly as possible. This usually consists of prescribing anti-seizure medications. The sooner the individual can start this medicine, the lower the risk of developing further brain injuries. This medicine is usually taken for several weeks or months, depending on the severity of the brain injury and how high the risk of recurrent seizures is.

If the individual has a late seizure, they will be required to take long-term medications, as the probability of recurring seizures rises. The doctor will assess the injuries on the brain, determine what type of seizures the individual is experiencing, and go over their medical history. This will help them decide which type of anti-seizure medication will work best.

There is a risk that the medications will not work for some people. If this is the case, the healthcare provider will most likely take a look at the brain injury, try to keep the seizures in one area of the body, and recommend surgical treatment. During surgery, the doctor will remove brain tissue that may be causing the post-traumatic epilepsy. In addition, speech therapy, occupational therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and physical therapy will be a significant part of the patient’s treatment plan.

Tips for reducing the risk of a brain injury

We cannot control the behavior of others, but we can take steps to mitigate our risks of injury and trauma:

• Wear a seat belt every time you get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
• Do not drive while intoxicated.
• Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
• Wear a helmet when playing sports.
• Make sure your child always rides in a car seat.
• Keep areas hazard-free for the elderly and young children.

If you are suffering from post-traumatic epilepsy after being involved in an accident that was not your fault, get in touch with McNicholas & McNicholas at your earliest convenience. Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyers have the experience, skills, and knowledge to help you navigate the complex legal system and fight for your right to the compensation you deserve. To schedule a remote case evaluation, fill out our contact form or call our office today.

Please be aware that this blog is not legal advice. Every person’s case is unique and different. Therefore, you should consult with one of our attorneys to get legal advice based on your personal circumstances.