A brain injury has far-reaching effects. Changes
in behavioral patterns can occur, and it is
not uncommon for people with brain injuries
to have to relearn a wide variety of skills
and to maintain this effort day after day,
year after year. The good news is that function
often slowly returns, at least to some degree.
With appropriate rehabilitation, people with
these injuries can improve their functioning
and recreate, if not resume, their lives.
What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
What are the conditions of TBI?
What are the common causes of TBI?
How can I prevent TBI?
What are the symptoms of brain injury?
For additional information on brain injury,
visit
While
You Are Waiting,
a web site that provides information to those
whose lives have been changed by brain injury.
What is a traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
"Traumatic" in this case does not
refer to emotions, but to the mechanical cause
of
the injury. A traumatic injury to the brain
is always caused by an external force: a blow
to the head, a penetration of the skull, or
even a whiplash can cause a traumatic brain
injury.
What are the conditions of TBI?
Depending on the nature of the injury, there
could be changes in physical, mental, or behavioral
functioning. Physical impairments can include
paralysis (partial or complete), seizures,
or loss of sensory abilities (taste, touch,
smell, vision, hearing). Mental effects might
include impairments to memory, concentration,
judgment, decision-making and language. Brain
injury can also lead to depression, impulsiveness,
emotional volatility, or a marked change in
personality. For a complete list of TBI conditions
visit the
Brain
Injury Association of America.
What are the common causes of TBI?
According to the Arizona Department of Health
Services, almost 40% of all traumatic brain
injuries in Arizona are a result of transportation
injuries—truck, car or motorcycle crashes
and people struck by a moving vehicle. Almost
20% of all traumatic brain injury cases are
a result of violence—assaults, suicide
and homicide attempts. Approximately 16% of
injuries are the result of falls, while less
than 2% of injuries occur as a result of accidents
during sports and recreational activities.
How can I prevent TBI?
Some accidents are unavoidable. However, there
are some things you can do to reduce your risk.
Driving safely and wearing your seat belt,
exercising caution in all recreational activities,
and wearing the proper footwear and headgear
can go a long way toward preventing injury.
Wearing a helmet, for instance, when riding
a bicycle or motorcycle can change the course
of your life.
What are the symptoms of brain injury?
Although the impact of a severe brain injury
is obvious, the lingering effects of a milder
brain injury can sometimes be subtle and may
not be recognized immediately. Recurring headaches,
dizziness or trouble with balance, blurred
vision, sleep disturbances, paranoia, eating
disorders, loss of memory and loss of writing
and reading abilities may be signs of possible
brain injury, and there are many others. You
should consult your doctor if you notice any
unusual changes in behavior after an injury.
