Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – Types, Causes, and Symptoms
01 May 2022Traumatic Brain Injury occurs when a person receives a jolt or blow to the head or body. Similarly, after an object breaks the brain tissue, such as a bullet or a broken piece of skull, it’s a traumatic brain injury.
Brain injuries are critical since they temporarily affect the brain cells and, if not treated in time, cause permanent damage. Brain damage includes but is not limited to torn tissues, bruising, bleeding, and any other form of physical damage to the brain. If these damages do not receive immediate care, they cause long-term complications or even death.
Memorial Village Emergency Room offers treatment for traumatic brain injury near you. They have an emergency room in Houston, TX, and have qualified and very experienced practitioners. It would be best if you understood the types, causes, and symptoms of TBI to be well informed and prepared to handle the problem.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
The severity of head injuries determines the types of traumatic brain injuries. The severity depends on several factors, such as specific neurological symptoms during the damage, loss of consciousness, and head CT or brain MRI abnormalities. They include;
- Severe TBI entails individuals who have lost consciousness for over 24 hours due to a head injury. They are primarily associated with alteration of brain MRI or head CT.
- Moderate TBI entails head injury causing loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours. Confusion can follow this for up to one week.
- A mild concussion is the most prevalent TBI, and they entail minor alterations of consciousness such as loss of consciousness for not more than 30 minutes. People with mild concussions usually experience confusion spans lasting for about one day.
- Nontraumatic – some TBIs do not result from trauma. Instead, they result from seizures, strokes, or life-threatening events such as choking or near-death drowning experiences. They occur due to oxygen deprivation in the brain.
Other Types of TBI
- Closed
- Open
- Complicated
- Uncomplicated
Causes of TBIs
Traumatic brain injuries occur when you receive a brutal or violent hit on the head, thus altering the chemical and energy flow in the brain. In mild TBIs, changes are short-lived, whereas changes are long-term, causing severe brain damage in severe TBIs.
According to statistics, falls account for more than 50% of emergency visits for TBIs. Interestingly, children under the age of 17 and older people 65 form the most significant number of visitors for fall-related TBIs.
Additional causes include:
- Gunshot wounds
- Sports and recreational
- Domestic violence
- Military or work-related injuries
Symptoms
Traumatic brain disorder symptoms are dependent on the severity of the injury. The primary sign is loss of consciousness after receiving a shock, which a blow, or a fall may cause. Depending on the impact of the collision, some people feel dizzy for several minutes, while others are unresponsive for more extended periods.
Since mild TBI is the most popular, its symptoms include:
- Confusion or memory problems
- headaches
- Dizziness
- Convulsions or seizures
- Behavior changes
- Blurred vision
- Slurred speech
- Light sensitivity
- Insomnia
In children, there are several additional symptoms. They include:
- Crying nonstop and being inconsolable
- Refusal to drink, eat and breastfeed
Diagnosis
Once you suspect a TBI, visit an emergency room to have the healthcare provider examine your symptoms thoroughly. You will be interrogated more about the injury, including the cause. The healthcare then chooses one of the three tests available to conduct a diagnosis. The tests include:
- Imaging tests – The healthcare provider uses a CT scan or MRI machine to check for swelling or bleeding in the brain.
- Neurological evaluation – this test is usually performed by a neurologist. The test focuses on checking your thinking, memory, motor function (reflexes, balance, and coordination), and sensory functions such as touch, vision, and hearing.
- Blood test – A particular test called Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator checks for proteins in your blood that indicate the presence of a concussion or a mild TBI.
Conclusion
Traumatic brain injuries are common and can become critical if not attended to urgently. It is advisable to visit an emergency room as soon as possible after you receive such an injury. The health care provider can offer instant help to avoid long-term side effects.