Brain Injury Awareness: Facts and Information
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. According to Brain Injury Association of America, “an estimated 2.8 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury, and more than 5 million people are living with a permanent brain injury-related disability.” Brain injury can have lifelong impacts, with some outcomes showing improvement and deterioration up to two decades after an injury has occurred. Sustaining a brain injury can have impacts on mental, cognitive, and physical health. Keep reading to learn about brain injury and how to support those living with a brain injury.
What is a Brain Injury?
A brain injury impacts the way an individual thinks, behaves, and feels. With a wide range of symptoms, brain injury can change everything about a person in a matter of moments. This can both the individual and their support network. There are many factors that play a role in the impact of a brain injury, so it is important to remember that every brain injury is different from person to person (source).
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
There are different types of brain injury. Traumatic Brain Injury, also referred to as TBI, “occurs when brain function is altered by an external force” (source). This can be caused by strikes to the head, when the head hits something, or a jolt that causes sudden brain movement. There are different types of TBIs, which you can learn more about here.
Concussion
Also referred to as mild traumatic brain injury or mTBI, concussions are usually not life threatening. They are caused by an impact or jolt that makes the brain jump or twist within the skull. Despite the name, concussions can have serious impacts on an individual. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding concussions:
“A concussion/mTBI is an injury to the brain, not just ‘seeing stars’.
“Most students and athletes will recover completely within 2-3 weeks if given the proper periods of rest and a gradual return to activities.
“After sustaining a concussion, it is very important to avoid any activity that places one at risk of sustaining another concussion.” (source)
To read more about concussions, click here.
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
A non-traumatic brain injury, also called an acquired brain injury (ABI), is caused by “damage to the brain by internal factors, such as a lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins, or pressure from a tumor” (source). Despite the name, this type of brain injury can still have traumatic psychological impacts. The name comes from the cause of the injury, not its long term impact.
Some symptoms of non-traumatic brain injuries are: dizziness, vision changes, poor coordination, headaches, and difficulty speaking.
To learn more about ABIs, click here.
Signs and Symptoms
Brain injury symptoms can vary widely based on type, severity, and where the brain was injured. Sometimes the injury will impact other areas and symptoms may not arise for days to weeks after the initial injury and can change over time. Losing consciousness may or may not occur at the time of injury and does not indicate alone that a brain injury has occurred.
It is advised to see a doctor if you or a loved one has sustained a blow to the head or body that concerns you or causes behavioral changes. A list of symptoms can be found in the infographic below.
