What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a sudden damage to the brain resulting from a blow or jolt to the head and is commonly caused by car accidents, falls, sports injuries, or assaults. Dr. Deryk Harting, a member of one of the highest rated auto injury medical care facilities, Chambers Medical Group in the Tampa Bay area, explains Traumatic Brain Injury.

The injury occurs from the brain crashing against the skull or from penetrating trauma to the brain. The severity of TBI can vary, ranging from mild concussions to severe permanent brain damage. Treatment for mild cases may involve rest and medication, while severe cases may require intensive care and life-saving surgery. Survivors of TBI often experience lasting effects on physical and mental abilities, emotions, and personality which can require rehabilitation for recovery and skill relearning.

Symptoms of TBI vary based on the type and location of the injury including loss of consciousness, confusion, memory loss, headaches, visual problems, and emotional disturbances. TBI commonly results due to car accidents, falls, sports injuries, ATV/snowmobile/motorcycle accidents, gunshot wounds, and assaults. Approximately 1.5 to 2 million adults and children suffer TBI annually in the United States, with 1.1 million experiencing mild injuries and about 235,000 hospitalized with moderate to severe injuries.

TBI involves primary and secondary injuries. The primary injury occurs at the moment of impact and may affect one lobe or the entire brain. This causes bruising, bleeding, and tearing of nerve fibers. Secondary injuries, usually more damaging, occur from delayed trauma as the brain swells and pushes against the skull which reduces oxygenated blood flow.

Traumatic Brain Injury can be classified:

• Mild TBI: Individual is awake with eyes open and has symptoms like confusion, disorientation, memory loss, headache, and brief loss of consciousness.
• Moderate TBI: Individuals are lethargic with eyes open to stimulation, experiencing loss of consciousness for 20 minutes to 6 hours, and potential brain swelling or bleeding causing sleepiness.
• Severe TBI: Individual is unconscious with eyes not opening even with stimulation and loss of consciousness lasting more than 6 hours.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries include:

• Concussion: A mild head injury causing a brief loss of consciousness, typically not resulting in permanent brain damage.
• Contusion: A bruise to a specific brain area caused by head impact, termed coup or contrecoup injuries.
• Hematoma: Formation of a blood clot when a blood vessel ruptures, leading to various types such as epidural, subdural, or intracerebral hematomas.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Involves shearing and stretching of nerve cells at the cellular level due to rapid back-and-forth movement of the brain inside the skull.
• Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage (tSAH): Bleeding into the space surrounding the brain, impacting cerebrospinal fluid, and causing widespread effects.

Diagnosis involves:

• The Glasgow Coma Score (GCS): A 15-point test assessing consciousness level based on eye opening, responses to orientation questions, and following commands.
• Imaging tests: Computed Tomography (CT) scans and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to identify fractures, bleeding, and injury severity.
• Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS): Providing information on brain metabolism for prognosis.

Recovery from TBI progresses through stages: coma, confusion/amnesia, and recovery. Rehabilitation depends upon the severity of the injury. More severe cases may require monitoring intracranial pressure, brain oxygen, electroencephalogram (EEG) or even surgery. These types of patients are often discharged when symptoms stabilize and may include transitioning to long-term care or rehabilitation centers. Rehabilitation facilities like long-term acute care and skilled nursing facilities help patients rebuild strength and relearn daily activities. Less severe cases may include rest and medication in combination with support from physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy specialists aiming to capitalize on the brain’s plasticity and promote nerve cell regeneration. Family members also play a vital role by providing support during the recovery process. Ultimately, patience is essential, as recovery can take weeks, months, or years.

Reducing the risk of TBI involves various preventive measures:

• Wearing helmets during activities like biking, motorcycling, skateboarding, or ATV riding.
• Avoiding impaired driving by not driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Using seat belts and child safety seats consistently and correctly.
• Implementing home safety measures to prevent falls, including non-slip mats and handrails.
• Exercising for increased strength, balance, and coordination.
• Wearing protective headgear during sports activities.

In conclusion, understanding traumatic brain injury encompasses recognizing its types, causes, symptoms, and accurate diagnosis. The recovery process involves comprehensive rehabilitation, family support, and preventive strategies to mitigate the risks associated with head injuries.

— This article is written by Deryk Harting, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Florida.

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Have you been in a car accident? If you or somebody you know has been in a car accident, be sure that you seek medical attention from a car accident doctor or car accident chiropractor to treat your injuries. Visit Chambers Medical Group  to receive world-class medical treatment for your injuries.

Chambers Medical Group has car accident medical clinics in the following locations:

• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Tampa
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Plant City
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Brandon
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lakeland
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Sarasota
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Louisville
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Lexington
• Car Accident Medical Clinic in Florence