• Abulia – inability to make decisions; lack of willpower, slow reaction, short responses to questions.
  • Anoxia – lack of oxygen to an organ, which generally has a profoundly negative effect on that organ. In the case of the brain, this can lead to brain death.
  • Aphasia – inability to speak or understand language.
  • Ataxia – problems with muscle coordination that spring from damage to the brain.
  • Brain plasticity – the ability of the brain to allow unused areas to take over the function of damaged areas.
  • Concussion – a blow to the head resulting in a temporary or permanent change in function. Can be mild to severe.
  • Contrecoup – a bruise to brain tissue not near the site of an injury, resulting from shaking of the brain inside the skull.
  • Diffuse axonal injury – “shearing” injury to nerve tissue in multiple areas of the brain. A primary cause of brain injuries, it disrupts communications and functions of the brain.
  • Edema – swelling due to fluid buildup.
  • Emotional lability – rapid mood swings without any cause.
  • Hematoma – a buildup of blood in tissues due to injury.
  • Hypoxia – insufficient oxygen to the organs.
  • Intracranial pressure – pressure on the brain from the cerebrospinal fluid in which it rests.
  • Locked-in syndrome – a state in which the patient is awake and aware but completely paralyzed and cannot communicate or move.
  • Persistent vegetative state – a longstanding condition in which the patient cannot produce any meaningful words or movements. Different from a coma.
  • Seizure – an uncontrolled discharge of nerve energy that results in convulsions, loss of consciousness or behavioral changes.

If you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury that caused these symptoms or any others, you should speak with the Northern California brain injury attorneys at Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen immediately. With more than 45 years of experience, we are committed to providing the personal touch to our clients — returning calls promptly and explaining your case fully — while aggressively pursuing their cases in court. For a free, no-obligation consultation, call Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen today at 1-866-765-4643.