Undiagnosed Close Head Brain Injury Head injuries can range from a minor bump on the head to a devastating brain injury. Learning to recognize a serious head injury, and implementing basic first aid, can make the difference in saving someone's life. Common causes of head injury include traffic accidents, falls, physical assault, and accidents at home, work, outdoors, or while playing sports. Diagnosing traumatic brain injury involves physical and neurological examinations that evaluate the presence and extent of brain injury. During physical examination, vital signs (pulse and blood pressure), irregular breathing patterns, and visible external injuries to the head or body are assessed. A contusion can also occur in response to shaking of the brain within the confines of the skull, an injury called "countrecoup." Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of head injury that occurs when a baby is shaken forcibly enough to cause extreme countrecoup injury. 
Damage to a major blood vessel within the head can cause a hematoma, or heavy bleeding into or around the brain. MARILYN'S STORY http://nrgclinic.com/about.htm Brain Injury - How Is It Diagnosed?People with head injuries must get emergency medical treatment in thefirstfew hours. This can make the difference between recovery and disability or death. It is helpful to have a neurologist involved early in the diagnosis and treatment. It is even more vital if symptoms continue for more than a few days or weeks. After an injury, the patient is stabilized. Then doctors can assess the severity of the brain injury. They check the person’s level of consciousness and neurological functioning. They use the Glasgow Coma Scale. This measures eye opening, verbal response, and motor response. The test has 15 points. A score of zero is consistent with brain death. A total score of 3 to 8 is a severe brain injury. From 9 to 12 is a moderate injury. And 13 or 14 is a mild injury, with 15 being normal. Imaging tests may also be used to help in the diagnosis. These may include X-rays and CT (computerized tomography) scans. Brain Injury Characteristics: Just as each individuals is unique, so is each brain injury. Physical disabilities, impaired learning and personality changes are common. Frequently reported problems include: - Physical:
Speech, Hearing, Paralysis, Headaches, Vision, Seizure Disorder, Muscle Spasticity, Reduced Endurance. - Cognitive Impairments:
Concentration, Attention, Perceptions, Planning, Communication, Writing Skills, Short Term Memory, Long Term Memory, Judgment, sequencing, Reading Skills, Orientation. - Behavioral / Emotional Changes:
Fatigue, Anxiety, Low Self-Esteem, Restlessness, Agitation, Mood Swings, Excessive Emotions, Depression, Sexual Dysfunction, Lack of Motivation, Inability to Cope, Self-Centeredness.
Causes of Head Injury Pie Chart Some statistics about brain injury According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001): - 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury every year.
- Each year, 80,000 Americans experience the onset of long-term disability following TBI.
- More than 50,000 people die every year as a result of TBI.
- Every year, over 1.5 million Americans sustains a traumatic brain injury.
- Among those who survive, 80,000 people per year must learn to cope with lifelong losses of function.
- 5.3 Million Americans - 2% of the U.S. population currently live with disabilities resulting from a brain injury.
- Motor vehicle accidents cause 44% of brain injuries; falls, 26%; assaults and firearms, 17%; sports and recreation and other, 13%.
- An estimated 200,000 children are hospitalized each year with brain trauma and 30,000 sustain permanent disabilities.
- Every year in the U.S., 50,000 children sustain bicycle-related brain injuries; of those, over 400 die.
- Males are twice as likely to sustain a brain injury than females, and young men between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate of injury.
- Every year, 50,000 Americans will die as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
In the time it took you to read these facts, at least two more Americans sustained a traumatic brain injury. For additional national statistics, go to the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/fact_book/29_Traumatic_Brain_Injury.htm What Is Brain Injury (PDF format) How the Brain is Hurt http://www.tbiguide.com/howbrainhurt.html Understanding How the Brain Works http://www.tbiguide.com/howbrainworks.html Consequences Of Traumatic Brain Injury - PHYSICAL: Impairment of speech, vision and hearing loss, headaches, muscle spasticity, paralysis and seizure disorders.
- COGNITIVE: Memory deficits (short and long-term), limited concentration, impaired perception and communication, difficulties with reading, writing, planning, and judgment.
- PSYCHO-SOCIAL/BEHAVIORAL/EMOTIONAL IMPAIRMENTS:
Fatigue, mood swings, denial, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction/dyscontrol, lack of motivation, and problems with interpersonal skills.
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The Effects of Brain Injury July 05, 2006 by Joel Bieber In my practice, I see the effects of traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, many times certain symptoms of brain injury have gone completely undiagnosed by the attending physicians. Initially, emergency and rescue is usually called to the scene to treat life threatening conditions that may be present. Then, the injured party may be taken to the hospital, where they are treated for certain injuries that may show up on x-ray. Not surprisingly, the only attention that is paid to a potential brain injury is when the nurse or doctor may hand some prepared form relating to concussion. All the injured party may know is that they have some amnesia or continue to experience headaches. One symptom of brain injury is a loss or impairment of smell and taste. The University of Pennsylvania reports that up to 30% of patients with a head injury have some kind of olfactory loss that may result from injury to the delicate nerves that pass from the nasal canal, through the cribriform plate and then to the olfactory bulb. Typically, my clients do not really put the head injury and loss of smell or taste mechanically related to the head injury. As a result, their condition does not get the medical attention it deserves. With the loss of smell and taste, a person no longer has the ability to enjoy the fragrance of a summer flower or the taste of good food. In addition, this places our clients at a high risk for depression, anorexia, and weight loss. Treatments are available to assist in treating this specific injury. A team approach that starts with smell and taste testing and may include medical doctors and dentists may help in providing such care. In addition, such medical care providers help access the damage which, in turn, helps our firm in making sure wrongdoers are held accountable for causing this injury to our clients. http://www.joelbieber.com/brain_070506.htm Some statistics about brain injury According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2001): - 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury every year.
- Each year, 80,000 Americans experience the onset of long-term disability following TBI.
- More than 50,000 people die every year as a result of TBI.
- Every year, over 1.5 million Americans sustains a traumatic brain injury.
- Among those who survive, 80,000 people per year must learn to cope with lifelong losses of function.
- 5.3 Million Americans - 2% of the U.S. population currently live with disabilities resulting from a brain injury.
- Motor vehicle accidents cause 44% of brain injuries; falls, 26%; assaults and firearms, 17%; sports and recreation and other, 13%.
- An estimated 200,000 children are hospitalized each year with brain trauma and 30,000 sustain permanent disabilities.
- Every year in the U.S., 50,000 children sustain bicycle-related brain injuries; of those, over 400 die.
- Males are twice as likely to sustain a brain injury than females, and young men between the ages of 15 and 24 have the highest rate of injury.
- Every year, 50,000 Americans will die as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
In the time it took you to read these facts, at least two more Americans sustained a traumatic brain injury. For additional national statistics, go to the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/fact_book/29_Traumatic_Brain_Injury.htm TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SURVIVAL GUIDE by Dr. Glen Johnson Clinical Neuropsychologist http://www.tbiguide.com/ Here is a great starting place to help you if you have an Undiagnosed Close Head Brain Injury |