individuals exposed to blasts frequently have loss of memory for events before and after explosion, confusion, headache, impaired sense of reality, and reduced decision-making ability. patients with brain injuries acquired in explosions often develop sudden, unexpected brain swelling and cerebral vasospasm despite continuous monitoring. however, the first symptoms of blast-induced neurotrauma (bint) may occur months or even years after the initial event, and are therefore categorized as secondary brain injuries. the broad variety of symptoms includes weight loss, hormone imbalance, chronic fatigue, headache, and problems in memory, speech and balance. these changes are often debilitating, interfering with daily activities. because bint in blast victims is underestimated, valuable time is often lost for preventive therapy and/or timely rehabilitation.