Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a disruption in normal brain function caused by an external force—typically a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head.
It can range from mild (such as a concussion) to severe, leading to long-term or permanent disability, coma, or death.
Common Causes
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls (especially in the elderly and young children)
- Assaults or physical violence
- Sports injuries
- Military combat (e.g., blast injuries)
Types of TBI
- Concussion: Mild TBI with temporary symptoms.
- Contusion: Bruising of brain tissue.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Widespread damage to brain cells from shearing forces.
- Penetrating Injury: Object pierces the skull and brain (e.g., bullet wound).
- Hematoma: Bleeding in or around the brain (epidural, subdural, intracerebral).
Symptoms – Mild TBI (Concussion)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Nausea
- Brief loss of consciousness
Symptoms – Moderate to Severe TBI:
- Loss of consciousness for minutes to hours
- Persistent headache or vomiting
- Seizures
- Slurred speech
- Weakness or numbness
- Behavioral or mood changes
- Cognitive impairments
Diagnosis
- Neurological exam
- CT scan or MRI
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) to assess severity
- Neuropsychological testing for long-term cognitive evaluation
Treatment
- Emergency care to prevent secondary injury (e.g., swelling, bleeding)
- Surgery (if needed for hematomas or skull fractures)
Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech/language therapy
- Cognitive therapy
Long-Term Impact
- Memory and concentration problems
- Emotional and behavioral changes
- Physical disabilities
- Increased risk for conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) or post-concussion syndrome
