Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is damage to the brain that can result from violent impact to a person’s head. TBI symptoms range from mild to severe, typically depending on force of the impact and extent of the damage. Typical symptoms range from short term dizziness and confusion to chronic memory loss and cognitive disability.
Traumatic brain injury places significant stress on the human brain, making it very difficult to maintain appropriate cognitive abilities. Although other organs within the body, such as the skin, possess the capability to self-renew after injury, the brain cannot simply regenerate. Much of the focus within the last 10 years has been spent on discovering the impact of neural stem cells on the regenerative efforts of the brain. Since the 1960s, it has been suggested that new adult brain cells are capable of regenerating; however, it was not until the late 1990s that confocal microscopy revealed that newborn brain cells can differentiate into neurons upon maturation.
Traumatic brain injury is a devastating worldwide disorder, and is believed to become the third most prevalent health concern contributing to patient mortality by 2020. The annual cost of TBI is estimated at ~$80 billion, so developing therapeutic treatments that can protect patients ranging from repetitive concussions to severe injuries is important.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to damage to the brain caused by an external physical force sometimes seen with a car wreck, fall, sports-related accident, or assault. A TBI is not caused by internal factors such as a stroke or tumor, and it does not include brain damage that results from prolonged lack of oxygen. It is possible to have a TBI and never lose consciousness. Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects and may be accompanied by pain. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a sudden, external, physical assault damages the brain. It is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults. TBI is a broad term that describes a vast array of injuries that happen to the brain. The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (happens in more than one area of the brain). The severity of a brain injury can range from a mild concussion to a severe injury that results in coma or even death.
TBI is a major cause of death and disability worldwide, especially in children and young adults. Males sustain traumatic brain injuries more frequently than do females. The 20th century saw developments in diagnosis and treatment that decreased death rates and improved outcome.
The longer a person remains unconscious, the greater the chance of brain death. The medical team should keep the appropriate family members aware of exactly what is going on; do not hesitate to ask questions about every treatment. There are no “dumb questions. ” Once the patient is stable and life-threatening injuries have been treated, the rehabilitation phase of treatment will follow. Generally, chances of recovery are better when rehabilitation can be started quickly, particularly with people over 25. As people age the muscles atrophy more quickly with bed rest, so it is important to begin movement as soon as possible.
