How to Identify a Brain Injury

Each year an estimated 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), resulting in 230,000 hospitalizations and 50,000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The brain is one of the most important organs in the body and if injured can lead to potentially harmful short or even long-term effects.

 

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month, an opportunity to educate people about the symptoms and effects on those who suffer from TBIs.

 

A TBI is a sudden injury that causes damage to the brain and may happen when there is a blow, bump, jolt, or penetration to the head. Brain injuries can range from mild or minor, such as a concussion, to moderate or severe and resulting in a loss of consciousness.

 

According to the CDC, individuals with a mild TBI or concussion may exhibit physical, mental and/or emotional symptoms.

• Physical symptoms may include dizziness or balance problems, headaches, nausea or vomiting, vision problems, or changes in sleep.
• Mental symptoms may include attention or concentration problems, feeling slowed down, foggy or groggy, memory loss, or trouble thinking clearly.
• Social or emotional symptoms may include anxiety or nervousness, irritability, sadness, or feeling more emotional in general.

Minor brain injuries that result in a concussion can usually be monitored at home after a medical checkup. Take time to relax at home and allow the brain to recover. Avoid or cut down on screen time, refrain from driving, avoid all contact sports and activities and most importantly, get plenty of sleep.

 

People with moderate to severe brain injuries may need ongoing specialized medical care such as rehabilitation.

 

“Patients may need to re-learn how to do basic tasks in order to get back to some semblance of their normal life,” says Aspirus Medical Surgical Intensive Care Unit Nurse Alissa Zaucha.

 

Ongoing treatment may also include behavioral health support, lifestyle changes to promote brain health and education around preventing or managing physical problems that may come up during recovery.

 

Zaucha says “brain injuries of any kind should be taken as serious as any other physical injury and medical advice should be carefully followed to ensure complete recovery.”

 

A sports tackle, car crash, or unfortunate fall can all lead to a TBI and can happen to anyone at any age. To help prevent them, the CDC reminds people to:

• Buckle up every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle
• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Wear a helmet, or appropriate headgear, when you or your children ride a bike, play a contact sport, use in-line skates or ride a skateboard, bat and run bases in baseball or softball, ride a horse, or play winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding
• Take steps to prevent older adult falls
• Make living and play areas safer for children by installing window guards and safety gates near stairs

It’s important to closely monitor individuals with a potential TBI and to see your provider or call 911 if symptoms worsen.

 

For more information about TBIs, visit cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury

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