Traumatic
Brain Injury (TBI)
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may result from
any sudden impact to the head and can have
serious or even fatal consequences. At its
mildest, TBI can include a simple concussion
or what is generally considered to be a temporary
brain injury. At it’s worst it can include
Epidural and Subdural Hemotomas (blood clots
above or under the brain’s lining or
dura), Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Diffuse Axonal
Injury (damage to the brain’s message
pathways or axons), and Anoxic Brain Injury
(loss of oxygen to the brain).
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In
the United States, TBI accounts for more than 2
million injuries and deaths each year. Over half
are the result of motor vehicle accidents. Victims
of violence and injuries sustained in falls are
also significant contributors to incidents of TBI.
Traumatic brain injury results from the bruising,
bleeding, twisting or tearing of delicate brain
tissue. Symptoms of damage may be present at the
time of an injury or they may develop afterwards.
In motor vehicle accidents, a common cause of TBI
is Second Impact Syndrome or Coup-Contra Coup. Injuries
of this nature result from an impact with the head
and the consequential rapid second impact of the
brain with the interior of the skull, leading to
bruises on opposite sides of the brain.
If not diagnosed and treated quickly,
TBI can lead to permanent damage or even death.
Brain tissue does not regenerate and once neurons
are damaged they are lost forever. This can lead
to a number of problems for those that have suffered
a traumatic brain injury. With proper care, TBI
is treatable and most patients manage to adapt and
live relatively normal lives.
Problems with TBI
Traumatic brain injury can lead
to a variety of physical, mental and cognitive problems.
Patients of TBI commonly experience difficulty in
maintaining their balance and equilibrium and often
suffer memory loss. Post traumatic headaches are
another common complaint and TBI can lead to vision
and perception problems as well.
Seizures may also result from brain
injury, the most common being Complex Partial Seizure
which can cause body twitching and brief loss of
consciousness. TBI can also cause epilepsy which
may not develop until months or even years after
the injury.
TBI can effect a patient emotionally
as well as physically. More than half of all traumatic
brain injury patients experience depression and
anxiety problems. Patients may also suffer from
dramatic mood swings as they attempt to sort out
the changes taking place within their brains. Because
TBI damage may not be immediately evident, it is
very difficult to fully diagnose and a patient’s
condition may continue to change over a period of
years.
Treating TBI
Examinations to determine the extent
of TBI damage can include simple neurological tests
(cognitive and physical exams), X-rays, CT (CAT)
scans, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans, Angiograms
and EEG’s (electroencephalographs). Treatments
range from the simple positioning of the body to
reduce blood flow to the brain to surgery to relieve
intracranial pressure or to remove blood clots.
Ventricular drains may be used to reduce excessive
pressure on the brain and some patients may be placed
on a ventilator to help them breath.
TBI treatment may also include the
use of a variety of medications. Diuretics are frequently
used to reduce brain pressure and steroids are often
administered to help fight infection. Antidepressants
may also be administered and anticonvulsants may
be used to control seizures.
Patients with TBI sometimes need
to relearn simple physical tasks. Cognitive problems
must often be overcome by reprogramming portions
of the brain. Comprehensive physical and mental
rehabilitative programs are essential if success
is to be achieved although some TBI patients will
never regain complete brain function. In some cases,
behavior modification techniques are also employed
to help TBI patients cope with the emotional changes
that have occurred as the result of their injury.
Sources
for all three subjects - Brain, Spine & Amputation:
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