In Canada, the most common cause for fatalities and disabilities in the aftermath of an accident, are Traumatic Brain Injuries (commonly shortened as TBI). Among the accidents which result in such fatalities and disabilities are motor vehicle accidents and slip and falls, which make up more than half of the reported cases annually reported.
What we are going to focus on in this article is that, from these reported slips and fall and motor vehicle accidents, roughly seventy percent of victims reported that they were experiencing fatigue in association with their Traumatic Brain Injuries.This is because, when your brain is injured, it will also be your ability to concentrate that will take a hit. And as a result, you will find yourself struggling to be surrounded by people, no matter how much you love them, and you will also feel too exhausted to invest time in your sports, or exercise, or even basic household chores.
The Struggle For Diagnosis
Traumatic Brain Injury associated fatigue is the result of troubled neural connections which are no longer able to transfer commands from the brain to other parts of your body. The result of this is trouble with functions in all areas – psychological, physical, and mental. While there are ways to measure your level of abilities in all of these areas, there are no tests which can prove that the decrease in these functions was actually caused by your Traumatic Brain Injury and not something else.
Other potential causes for chronic fatigue syndrome include respiratory problems, depression, anemia, stress, medication, and a sedentary lifestyle. There is a selection of causes which can easily be ruled out, but the fact of the matter is that we have yet to discover a way of definitively proving that Traumatic Brain Injury is the culprit behind some patients’ fatigue.
The Differences Between Primary And Secondary Fatigue
Primary fatigue refers to the fatigue which stems directly from the brain injury and its associated losses in neural connections which in turn have impacted certain functions in any and all areas, be it physical, psychological, or mental. Secondary fatigue, while also stemming from the Traumatic Brain Injury, is not the result of the losses in neural connections, but rather the result of other side-effects of the injury, such as discomfort, pain, or stress. Again, this can impact functions in all areas.
That is one of the reasons that TBI and spinal injuries are classified as catastrophic and are awarded the highest amount of compensation. From loss of consortium to future medical costs and rehabilitation can last for years. However, it always helps to have a personal injury lawyer in Sault Ste Marie represent your claim.