What is traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden injury that causes damage to the brain. It may happen when there is a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. This is a closed head injury. A TBI can also happen when an object penetrates the skull. This is a penetrating injury.
Symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. Concussions are a type of mild TBI. The effects of a concussion can sometimes be serious, but most people completely recover in time. More severe TBI can lead to serious physical and psychological symptoms, coma, and even death.
What causes traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
The main causes of TBI depend on the type of head injury:
Some of the common causes of a closed head injury include:
– Falls. This is the most common cause in adults age 65 and older.
– Motor vehicle crashes. This is the most common cause in young adults.
– Sports injuries
– Being struck by an object
– Child abuse. This is the most common cause in children under age 4.
– Blast injuries due to explosions
– Some of the common causes of a penetrating injury include
– Being hit by a bullet or shrapnel
– Being hit by a weapon such as a hammer, knife, or baseball bat
– A head injury that causes a bone fragment to penetrate the skull
– Some accidents such as explosions, natural disasters, or other extreme events can cause both closed and penetrating TBI in the same person.
Who is at risk for traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Certain groups are at higher risk of TBI:
Men are more likely to get a TBI than women. They are also more likely to have serious TBI.
Adults aged 65 and older are at the greatest risk for being hospitalized and dying from a TBI
What are the symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
The symptoms of TBI depend on the type of injury and how serious the brain damage is.
The symptoms of mild TBI can include:
– A brief loss of consciousness in some cases. However, many people with mild TBI remain conscious after the injury.
– Headache
– Confusion
– Lightheadedness
– Dizziness
– Blurred vision or tired eyes
– Ringing in the ears
– Bad taste in the mouth
– Fatigue or lethargy
– A change in sleep patterns
– Behavioral or mood changes
– Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
If you have a moderate or severe TBI, you may have those same symptoms. You may also have other symptoms such as:
– A headache that gets worse or does not go away
– Repeated vomiting or nausea
– Convulsions or seizures
– Not being able to wake up from sleep
– Larger than normal pupil (dark center) of one or both eyes. This is called dilation of the pupil.
– Slurred speech
– Weakness or numbness in the arms and legs
– Loss of coordination
– Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation
Once you are stable, the treatments may include:
– Surgery to reduce additional damage to your brain, for example to
– Remove hematomas (clotted blood)
– Get rid of damaged or dead brain tissue
– Repair skull fractures
– Relieve pressure in the skull
Medicines to treat the symptoms of TBI and to lower some of the risks associated with it, such as:
– Anti-anxiety medication to lessen feelings of nervousness and fear
– Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots
– Anticonvulsants to prevent seizures
– Antidepressants to treat symptoms of depression and mood instability
– Muscle relaxants to reduce muscle spasms
– Stimulants to increase alertness and attention
Rehabilitation therapies, which can include therapies for physical, emotional, and cognitive difficulties:
– Physical therapy, to build physical strength, coordination, and flexibility
– Occupational therapy, to help you learn or relearn how to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed, cooking, and bathing
– Speech therapy, to help you to with speech and other communication skills and treat swallowing disorders
– Psychological counseling, to help you learn coping skills, work on relationships, and improve your emotional well-being
– Vocational counseling, which focuses on your ability to return to work and deal with workplace challenges
– Cognitive therapy, to improve your memory, attention, perception, learning, planning, and judgment
Some people with TBI may have permanent disabilities. A TBI can also put you at risk for other health problems such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Treating these problems can improve your quality of life.