Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)/ intracranial injury

- occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain

- TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism (closed or penetrating head injury), or other features (e.g., occurring in a specific location or over a widespread area).

- Head injury usually refers to TBI, but is a broader category because it can involve damage to structures other than the brain, such as the scalp and skull

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traumatic_brain_injury

- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) happens when a bump, blow, jolt, or other head injury causes damage to the brain.

Every year, millions of people in the U.S. suffer brain injuries. More than half are bad enough that people must go to the hospital. The worst injuries can lead to permanent brain damage or death. Half of all TBIs are from motor vehicle accidents. Military personnel in combat zones are also at risk.

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/traumaticbraininjury.html

- Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm

Causes• Injuries to the head as results from automobile, motorcycle and bicycle accidents

• falls • assaults

• gunshot wound• Child

abuse

Severe head trauma often causes coma or an abnormal deep stupor from which it may be impossible to arouse the affected individual by external stimuli for an extended period.

SymptomsCognitive and language deficits

Memory lossSeizures

Perceptual disordersDifficulty in paying attention

Display inappropriate/exaggerated behavior

Preventions

- Because Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) cannot be cured, steps must be taken to prevent an injury from occurring. advice for the prevention of TBI is often common sense.

http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/prevention/)

TBI Prevention Methods Include:

Always wear a seat belt in a motor vehicle

Use an appropriate child safety seat or a booster Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs Always wear a helmet when on a bicycle, motorcycle, scooter, snowmobile and other open unrestrained vehicles

Wear a helmet when participating in contact sports Wear a helmet when horseback riding

Wear a helmet while skiing, snowboarding, skating and skateboarding

Fall Prevention Methods:

Use the rails on stairways

Provide adequate lighting, especially on stairs for people with poor vision or who have difficulty walking Place bars on windows to prevent children from falling

Sit on safe stools

Do not place obstacles in walking pathways

Gun Safety:

Keep guns locked in a cabinet

Store guns unloaded

Store ammunition apart from guns

Occupational therapists can help people who have sustained a TBI. The type and duration of intervention depend on how severe the injury.

Interventions

http://www.brainline.org/content/2009/06/traumatic-brain-injury-effects-and-interventions.html

What can an occupational therapist do?

Evaluate the client engaging in daily activities at home. Establish and restore (depending on the age of the client) endurance and strength.

Help the client minimize overstimulation and confusion in his or her environment.

Help the client perform simple tasks that are meaningful to the person’s life.

Implement weekly checklists of household chores. Recommend equipment that can aid a person in performing daily life activities.

Teach a person with TBI to compensate for problems with thinking.

What can families and friends of a person with a TBI do?

Become educated about the recovery process of a family member with a TBI.

Provide long-term support to a family member with a TBI. Learn techniques to help the person with a TBI manage cognitive and physical problems.

Help the person adapt his or her home to accommodate the effects of a TBI.