Demystifying Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (known as TBI) results from a violent blow, jolt to the head, or an object that penetrates brain tissue. This hit or jolt to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull or damages the skull. In turn, it causes the destruction of brain cells and impairs the function for which that part of the brain is responsible.

An injury to the front of the brain might impact problem solving or planning skills.

An injury to the back of the brain might impact sight, language, or body awareness.

There are three external “mechanisms” that cause traumatic brain injury.

• Open head injury – injuries from bullet wounds and other penetrating objects.
• Closed head injury – a result of a fall or car crash where nothing penetrated your brain but you sustained significant head trauma.
• Deceleration injury – when your brain is shaken inside your skull, as often happens in sports injuries.

Treatment

Brain injury is unpredictable in its consequences and impacts everyone differently. After diagnosis, treatment for brain injury may include some combination of surgery, medication, and rehabilitation therapies, like speech therapy, cognitive therapy, physical therapy or occupational therapy.

The goal of brain rehabilitation therapy is to recover lost skills of daily living and maximize independence.

Fast Facts

• 1.5 million people sustain a brain injury each year
• 5.3 million men, women, and children are currently recovering from or living with a TBI in the U.S.
• Most common causes: automobile accidents, violence, falls.