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A traumatic brain injury occurs when the skull slams against a stationary object, such as a windshield or the ground. Damage results from the rapid acceleration/deceleration of
the brain when it is slammed back and forth against the structures inside the skull. When this happens, the neural connections that transmit and receive messages between the
brain and other parts of the body are twisted, sheared, and pulled apart.
Damage may be localized to a certain area(s) or may be widespread or diffuse (diffuse axonal injury). Damage to the brain may continue after the impact if bleeding or tissue swelling inside of the brain occurs or breathing stops. Brain injury is described as open or closed. Open brain injury applies when the skull is penetrated (i.e., from a gunshot wound or object puncture). Seizures are reported as high as 30% in patients with open brain injuries. In a "closed" brain injury, there is a blow to the head such as a beating or an assault, during a motor vehicle crash, or while playing sports. "Mild" brain injury occurs when the head impacts an object or undergoes the acceleration/deceleration movement (i.e., whiplash) without direct external trauma to the head. Persons may lose consciousness for under twenty minutes or not at all. Mild brain injury can result in a constellation of symptoms that has been referred to as post-concussion syndrome and post-traumatic syndrome. These symptoms include: feeling dazed, disoriented and confused, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, sleep disturbance, fatigue, sensitivity to light/sound; difficulty with attention and concentration, memory, judgement and problem-solving, speech/language; irritability, low frustration tolerance, anger, mood swings, and depression. An acquired brain injury can also result from lack of oxygen to the brain (anoxia), such as in near drowning or suffocating, cardiac arrest, stroke, infection or toxic chemicals/drugs, such as an overdose. Brain injury can be difficult to detect; x-rays, MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (CAT scan) may appear unremarkable or normal. Brain injuries may remain undiagnosed, or may be misdiagnosed as other conditions such as psychiatric disorders. A Partial Listing of Consequences Through inner strength, rehabilitation, and support from family members and the community, people with brain injuries continue to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Brain Injury, even "mild" brain injury, can result in alterations in all aspects of a person's functioning: physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, financial, interpersonal and vocational. Among the more prominent consequences: Physical: difficulties with speech, vision, hearing, eating, swallowing, mobility and gait (walking); headaches, seizures, sensitivity to light and noise; taste changes; paralysis. Cognitive: disorientation to time and place; difficulties with memory, concentration, judgment, problem-solving, perception; problems with reading, writing, planning, shifting from one task to another, knowing the order of the steps to complete a task (i.e. sequencing). Psychosocial: Depression; anxiety; frustration; anger; egocentricity seen through insensitivity to others; low self-esteem; acts out socially; inappropriate limitations, and engaging in self-destructive behaviors such as stealing, promiscuity, gambling, spending sprees. |
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