Oregon drivers like you may suffer from long-term health ramifications if you get involved in a crash. Head and brain injuries are among the most common that crash victims suffer from.
A brain injury – especially a traumatic brain injury (TBI) – can have lasting impacts on your life. One area where this shines through with utmost clarity is in your short-term memory.
How TBIs affect memory
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center examines how crashes can impact short-term memory. TBIs can impact long term memory as well, but this is not as common because different areas of the brain store short- and long-term memory. The hippocampus stores short term memory and it is at the front of the brain, which often takes the heaviest hits during moments of head trauma.
As the brain injury heals, damage to your memory often improves, too. However, some people end up struggling with short term memory loss or damage for months, years or even a lifetime. In these cases, you must gauge what changes you need to make in your life to help make up for your memory loss.
How memory influences aspects of daily life
Unfortunately, short term memory affects many areas of your life. If you cannot remember things in the short term, you may struggle with basic necessities. This includes keeping your house stocked with food or going to the doctor.
It can also impact your ability to work. Many employees with memory loss from TBIs end up having to take leave. Some cannot continue working at their job because they cannot keep up with the demands. In these situations, you may want to consider the possibility of seeking compensation.