If you suffer any injury to your head, you should take it seriously. Brain injury is something that can be mild, but it also can be quite serious. It is difficult to assess the extent of the injury just by looking at a person because most of the damage is inside the skull. In addition, not all symptoms happen immediately after the injury. It could be days or even weeks before the symptoms of a brain injury become apparent, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Brain injuries can be mild to severe, which refers to the damage to the brain, not the severity of the injury. It can also happen to anyone, including children and infants. The symptoms in children can be different than those in an adult because they may not be able to verbalize what they are feeling. You should watch children for signs that include acting depressed or having low energy, a loss of appetite, crying for no obvious reason and a change in sleeping habits.

In adults, the symptoms of a mild brain injury can be physical, sensory and mental. Mental symptoms may include memory loss, depressed feelings, anxiousness, mood swings and problems concentrating. Sensory symptoms may include sensitivity to light or sound, blurred vision, changes in smell or taste and ringing in the ears. Physical symptoms can be dizziness, problems sleeping, headaches, nausea, loss of consciousness, confusion and changes in sleeping habits.

A more severe injury could also cause additional symptoms that include slurred speech, serious confusion, seizures, drainage from the ears or nose, pupil dilation, coordination problems and unusual behavior. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.