Traumatic Brain Injury

Damage to the brain due to injury.  A focal brain injury is confined to one specific area.  A diffuse injury is less defined and usually affects more than one brain area.  In closed trauma, nothing penetrated the brain itself.  In penetrating trauma, an object penetrated the brain.  Depending on the severity of the brain damage, TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe.  Symptoms may occur immediately or over a period of weeks.  Mild TBI can cause concussion, a dazed feeling, a short period of unconsciousness, and a feeling of “not being myself” which lasts for a few weeks.  It can also cause some of the symptoms of moderate to severe impairment, such as attention deficit, altered taste, blurred vision, cognitive impairment, poor concentration, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, headache, lethargy, memory deficits, mood changes, ringing in the ears, and sleep pattern alterations.  Moderate or severe brain trauma may also cause an abiding or worsening headache, agitation, confusion, coordination loss, concussion, restlessness, repeated nausea or vomiting, seizures, slurred speech, and weakness or numbness in the extremities.   Treatment depends on the type and severity of injuries.  Minor head injuries are often treated at home with bed rest, Ice, hydration, and pain relievers.  In event of an open wound, it would be thoroughly cleansed and stitched or glued.  An immunization for tetanus is given, if needed.  People with serious head injuries are admitted to the hospital for observation and treatment.  Seizure medication may be given, and a intracranial pressure monitor (ICP) may be surgically inserted into the brain.   When there is a close head injury with bleeding inside the skull, craniotomy surgery may be needed to remove the blood and relieve the pressure.  Patients with severe TBI may need a breathing tube and surgery to remove a foreign object or stop bleeding.  Severe TBI patients often require long term physical, occupational, speech, cognitive, and behavioral therapies.