Possible Health Effects
Brain injury symptoms can affect many parts of a person’s health and daily life. These effects may stay the same over time, get better, or get worse.
Brain injuries are chronic health conditions
A brain injury can affect many parts of a person’s health and daily life. These effects may stay the same over time, get better, or get worse. Sometimes, symptoms seem to go away but come back later, especially during times of illness, stress, or fatigue. That is why brain injury can be considered a chronic or ongoing medical condition.
Every person’s experience and brain injury journey will be different.
A person’s recovery journey after a brain injury may be short (days to weeks) or long (months, years, or lifelong). The good news is that many people living with brain injury will begin to feel better and become active members of their communities. Research is ongoing to determine ways to better predict health outcomes for people after a brain injury. Knowing more about health outcomes can help medical professionals create individualized treatment plans and better identify people in need of specialized care.
It is important to treat secondary injuries that may occur after a brain injury.
Medical professionals will watch for secondary injuries after a person gets a brain injury. Secondary injuries are health problems that are linked to physical changes in a person’s brain, such as swelling, bleeding, or changes in blood flow and oxygen, that can cause more harm to their brain. Medical professionals will create treatment plans to help address or lessen the effects of secondary injuries on a person’s brain. Examples of secondary injuries are listed below.
Brain swelling: Brain swelling occurs when too much fluid builds up in the brain (and inside the skull). This can lead to pressure on the brain that can harm brain cells or affect blood flow in the brain.
Hematoma: A hit to the head can cause blood vessels to break, forming a hematoma or a pool of blood inside the brain. This may lead to damage to brain cells or brain swelling.
Hydrocephalus: Hydrocephalus occurs when the flow of fluid into different parts of the brain is blocked or disrupted. Fluid can build up and lead to pressure in the brain.
Hypovolemic shock: A person with a brain injury may lose a lot of blood. A big loss of blood may affect the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, leading to hypovolemic shock.
Intracranial pressure: Pressure in the brain due to fluid buildup or bleeding is called intracranial pressure or ICP. ICP can harm brain cells.
Medical professionals can help manage health problems after a brain injury.
Some health problems after a brain injury appear right away, while others may develop later over time. Studies show that a brain injury can increase the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other forms of dementia, as well as seizures, headaches, fatigue, and pneumonia. Medical professionals can create treatment plans to help address many of the health problems that can appear or get worse after a brain injury. It is important for each person with a brain injury to receive an individualized treatment plan based on their medical needs. The sooner a person gets care, the better chance that a health problem can be managed or improved. Below are examples of some possible health effects after a brain injury.
Advances in research and care are improving outcomes for people living with brain injury.
We now know that the brain can adapt and heal in many cases. Research shows:
- The brain can form new connections (neuroplasticity)
- Recovery can happen across the lifespan, no matter a person’s age
Learn more about the role of brain health after brain injury.
At the same time, earlier diagnosis is improving access to care, awareness of brain injury is growing, and research and education efforts continue to expand. Learn how you can get involved.
Both physical activity and mental (cognitive) activity can support brain function and overall well-being.
Physical activities that may help include walking, jogging, swimming, taking an exercise class, gardening, or spending time being active with pets. These activities can support strength, mood, and overall health.
Cognitive activities can also help keep the brain engaged. Some people find structured programs or tools helpful, such as home-based cognitive exercises or brain-training apps. Others may benefit from reading, puzzles, games, or learning new skills.
It’s important to remember that there is no single “best” resource or approach. Changes in thinking or memory over time can be affected by many factors, including sleep, medications, nutrition, and stress. A balanced approach that supports overall health—along with regular mental and physical activity—can make a meaningful difference.
Below is a list of resources and programs that can help with cognitive exercises:
Compassionate answers. Real support. Every step of the way.
Contact the National Brain Injury Information Center at 1-800-444-6443 to speak to a specialist about:
- Help with care needs
- Legal and financial resources
- Services in your community
Learn more about brain injury and check out our educational tools and resources
Aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak or understand speech, read, or write. There are different types of aphasia:
- Expressive aphasia: A person has difficulty speaking but understands speech.
- Receptive aphasia: A person can speak but may use incorrect words or have trouble understanding and processing information.
- Global aphasia: A person has difficulty with speaking and understanding speech and may not be able to read or write.
Aphasia affects a person’s ability to speak or understand speech, read, or write. There are different types of aphasia:
- Expressive aphasia: A person has difficulty speaking but understands speech.
- Receptive aphasia: A person can speak but may use incorrect words or have trouble understanding and processing information.
- Global aphasia: A person has difficulty with speaking and understanding speech and may not be able to read or write.
Bladder and bowel incontinence involves the loss of bladder and bowel control due to problems with communication pathways between the brain and a person’s bowel and bladder muscles. This can lead to bed wetting and a person having problems getting to the bathroom in time.
Bladder and bowel incontinence involves the loss of bladder and bowel control due to problems with communication pathways between the brain and a person’s bowel and bladder muscles. This can lead to bed wetting and a person having problems getting to the bathroom in time.
Blood clotting disorders may lead to an increase in bleeding and blood clots in the brain.
Blood clotting disorders may lead to an increase in bleeding and blood clots in the brain.
Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by weakened muscles that affect speech clarity. For example, a person may speak slowly or slur their words.
Dysarthria is a speech disorder caused by weakened muscles that affect speech clarity. For example, a person may speak slowly or slur their words.
Gastrointestinal/nutritional problems may include bleeding, reflux, constipation, or other problems. A person may require a feeding tube to support their nutritional and energy needs.
Gastrointestinal/nutritional problems may include bleeding, reflux, constipation, or other problems. A person may require a feeding tube to support their nutritional and energy needs.
Hemiparesis means weakness on one side of the body, while hemiplegia means paralysis (no movement) on one side of the body.
Hemiparesis means weakness on one side of the body, while hemiplegia means paralysis (no movement) on one side of the body.
People living with brain injury are at increased risk for common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). New or increasing mental health problems can occur right away or years after a brain injury. Mental health care should be a routine part of brain injury care. Counseling, peer support, rehabilitation services, and community programs can make a meaningful difference. Recognizing the signs and connecting people to care early can improve outcomes. Read more about mental health and brain injury.
People living with brain injury are at increased risk for common mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). New or increasing mental health problems can occur right away or years after a brain injury. Mental health care should be a routine part of brain injury care. Counseling, peer support, rehabilitation services, and community programs can make a meaningful difference. Recognizing the signs and connecting people to care early can improve outcomes. Read more about mental health and brain injury.
Motor dysfunction might include tight or spastic muscles, poor coordination, tremors, weakness, and trouble with balance.
Motor dysfunction might include tight or spastic muscles, poor coordination, tremors, weakness, and trouble with balance.
Also referred to as “storming,” PSH happens when the part of the brain that controls autonomic body functions—like heart rate, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure—is injured and is not working correctly. PSH is linked to increased sweating, heart and breathing rate, as well as higher body temperature, blood pressure, and muscle activity. Some people experiencing PSH will feel faint or nauseous when they stand up. Others may have headaches or feel overly tired.
Also referred to as “storming,” PSH happens when the part of the brain that controls autonomic body functions—like heart rate, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure—is injured and is not working correctly. PSH is linked to increased sweating, heart and breathing rate, as well as higher body temperature, blood pressure, and muscle activity. Some people experiencing PSH will feel faint or nauseous when they stand up. Others may have headaches or feel overly tired.
Post-traumatic headaches are linked to pain or throbbing in the head. A person may also experience nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and blurred vision. Headaches are the most common symptom experienced by people after a brain injury.
Post-traumatic headaches are linked to pain or throbbing in the head. A person may also experience nausea or vomiting, sensitivity to light or sound, and blurred vision. Headaches are the most common symptom experienced by people after a brain injury.
Damage to parts of the brain that control hormone production may affect a person’s energy, mood, sleep, and hunger.
Damage to parts of the brain that control hormone production may affect a person’s energy, mood, sleep, and hunger.
PBA is a condition that leads to involuntary, sudden, and frequent laughing or crying that does not match how the person feels or the situation.
PBA is a condition that leads to involuntary, sudden, and frequent laughing or crying that does not match how the person feels or the situation.
Respiratory problems may include slow or irregular breathing, sleep-related breathing problems, breathing too fast or shallow, and/or needing help to breathe with medical equipment.
Respiratory problems may include slow or irregular breathing, sleep-related breathing problems, breathing too fast or shallow, and/or needing help to breathe with medical equipment.
A seizure involves the sudden appearance of convulsions (or shaking), problems with sensation, or a loss of consciousness.
A seizure involves the sudden appearance of convulsions (or shaking), problems with sensation, or a loss of consciousness.
Some people have trouble with how they sense and feel the world around them due to problems with processing information.
Some people have trouble with how they sense and feel the world around them due to problems with processing information.
Sexual disinhibition may include inappropriate sexual behaviors, including unwanted hugs, kisses, and flirtatious advances. Read more about sexual disinhibition.
Sexual disinhibition may include inappropriate sexual behaviors, including unwanted hugs, kisses, and flirtatious advances. Read more about sexual disinhibition.
Spasticity involves muscle tightness or stiffness in the arms and legs.
Spasticity involves muscle tightness or stiffness in the arms and legs.
People living with brain injury are at increased risk for substance use disorders. Use of alcohol and illegal drugs after a brain injury can affect recovery. There is no safe amount of alcohol or illegal drugs for a person recovering from a brain injury.
People living with brain injury are at increased risk for substance use disorders. Use of alcohol and illegal drugs after a brain injury can affect recovery. There is no safe amount of alcohol or illegal drugs for a person recovering from a brain injury.
After a brain injury, some people develop extra bone in places where bone shouldn’t grow, such as in the muscles, joints, or soft tissues.
After a brain injury, some people develop extra bone in places where bone shouldn’t grow, such as in the muscles, joints, or soft tissues.
There are several types of vision problems a person may experience. Examples include:
- Visual neglect: The brain of a person with visual neglect ignores half of their body, even though their eyes are working normally.
- Convergence insufficiency: A person’s eyes have trouble working together to focus on something close, like a book.
- Cortical visual impairment: A person can see things, but their brain has difficulty understanding what they see.
There are several types of vision problems a person may experience. Examples include:
- Visual neglect: The brain of a person with visual neglect ignores half of their body, even though their eyes are working normally.
- Convergence insufficiency: A person’s eyes have trouble working together to focus on something close, like a book.
- Cortical visual impairment: A person can see things, but their brain has difficulty understanding what they see.