Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an acquired brain injury (ABI) caused by physical damage to the brain, either as a result of a a blow to the head or by the brain impacting with the skull via a whiplash motion of the head. Bruising, bleeding, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue may occur. The head being forced to move rapidly forward or backward, usually with some loss of consciousness. As a result of this blow or rapid movement, brain tissue may be torn, stretched, penetrated, bruised or become swollen. Oxygen may not be able to get through to the brain cells and there may be bleeding.
Symptoms of TBIs range from temporary to permanent and from mild to severe. A sufferer may black out briefly after a punch to the head and then experience no more symptoms, or may remain unconscious for days or even years. The effects of traumatic brain injury can be temporary or permanent and range from mild injury, such as being momentarily stunned while playing football, to a very severe injury that may cause prolonged loss of consciousness. Concussion for any period of time, however slight, may result in acquired brain injury. In fact, Concussion, for example, is classified as a mild TBI. The Centre for Disease Control in America defines concussion as “mild traumatic brain injury”. Most people recover fully, but some suffer lasting effects, mild to severe, that may present significant challenges. While most people make a good recovery, many are left with lasting effects that, even if mild, may have significant consequences for everyday living.
© 2008 BIC
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