There has been much attention and focus in the media recently on brain injuries. And this is a good thing because these injuries are terribly serious and can have devastating consequences of the injury victims. With so much attention being paid to these injuries it’s appropriate to review exactly what is meant by a brain injury, review the extent of the problem, TBI causes as well as the costs associated with TBI.
Brain injuries are graded or ranked based on their severity. So, you have mild traumatic brain injuries or MTBI at one end of the spectrum and traumatic brain injuries or TBI at the other.
As I have addressed MTBI extensively in other posts here on San Francisco Injury Law Answers, this post will focus specifically on TBI.
What is a TBI?
A traumatic brain injury or TBI is caused by a disruption of the normal functioning of the brain. This is often caused by a blow to the head, when the head strikes an object, or when an object penetrates the skull and a head injury results. In such an injury the brain often suffers a diffuse axonal injury, which takes place when nerve cells are torn apart. Additional damage to the brain takes place as the brain bounces inside the skull at the time of impact.
Numerous areas of the brain are vulnerable to this type of injury due to the location of each section. For instance, the frontal lobe, the temporal lobes, and the brain stem.
The frontal lobe controls and is involved in many cognitive activities and functions and serves as the emotional control center. This region of the brain influences what we think of as personality. And because of its location, the frontal lobe is almost always injured in a TBI.
The brain stem and temporal lobes are also of great importance and play a vital role in memory, attention, and cognitive skills.
How many people suffer TBI?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TBIs are involved in a substantial number of deaths in the US every year. According the the CDC’s reports, 1.4 million individuals sustain TBI every year. And among those 1.4 million TBI victims there are approximately 50,000 deaths, 235,000 hospitalizations, and 1.1 million injury victims are treated and released from medical centers, hospitals, and emergency departments.
Among children who suffer TBI there are approximately 2,685 deaths each year as well as 37,000 hospitalizations and 435,000 emergency room visits.
So, what are the causes of TBI?
There are many causes of TBI. But some of the leading causes are falls, motor vehicle or car accidents and collisions, individuals being struck by objects, and assaults.
What are the signs and symptoms of TBI?
TBI signs and symptoms can be clear and easy to spot or sublet and missed at first. Some symptoms may even take days or weeks to become fully visible.
Here is a list of common signs and symptoms of TBI:
- Ringing in the ears.
- Loss of sense of smell or taste.
- Blurred vision.
- Headaches that do not fade.
- Neck aches that wont go away.
- Difficulty speaking, communicating, or reading.
- Slowness of thought.
- Loss of balance.
- Nausea (an urge to vomit).
- Increased sensitivity to lights or sounds.
- Significant changes in mood.
- Significant changes in sleep patterns.
When Children experience TBI they may have the same symptoms as adults. However, often children have a more difficult time expressing how they are feeling. Symptoms to look for with children include the following:
- Vomiting.
- Tiredness.
- Irritability.
- Changes in eating.
- Changes in sleep patterns.
- Loss of balance or unsteady gate.
- Loss of newly acquired skills.
- A loss of interest in a child’s favorite toy or playmate.
If you or a child have suffered any of the above signs and symptoms of a TBI in association with a head injury of any sort, seek medical care immediately.
What are the long-term consequences of TBI?
According to the CDC approximately 5.3 million Americans suffer from long-term disabilities due to TBI. Many of these injury victims need assistance with basic activities of daily living due to TBI.
TBI can cause significant and wide ranging changes in the brain that impact every aspect of a persons life. A TBI victim can have an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy as well as other brain disorders.
What are the costs associated with TBI in the United States?
The CDC estimates that the costs of TBI from direct medical care and costs associated with loss of productivity to society from TBI victims is approximately $60 billion.
Traumatic brain injuries are very serious injuries that can have long-lasting and permanent results. If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury of any type – TBI or MTBI – seek professional medical treatment immediately.
