A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur when there is a severe, violent strike to the head that causes the brain to bump against the inside of the skull. It can also occur when an object, such as a bullet or a piece of the skull, penetrates the brain.
They can be. These types of injuries can cause bleeding or swelling of the brain, as well as damage to the nerve cells. This disrupts the way the brain sends messages out to the rest of the body. Traumatic brain injuries can affect behavior, speech, sensation and movement. However, many people recover from these types of injuries and have no lasting effects.
Funding and support for this material have been provided by Allergan.
Symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include:
Symptoms of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury include all of the symptoms listed above as well as:
Always seek medical attention if you have hit your head. If you experience any of the symptoms of a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room for treatment.
If you have a mild traumatic brain injury, it's normal to feel dizzy, have a headache or feel nauseous. Other symptoms include ringing in the ears, neck pain, and feeling anxious, upset, irritable, depressed or tired. These symptoms usually go away after a few days to a few weeks.
If you have a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, you may have lasting problems with thinking, concentrating or paying attention. Short-term memory may also be affected. There may be changes to your personality and you may feel anxious, upset, irritable or depressed. You may have trouble controlling your impulses.
In some cases, a severe traumatic brain injury can lead to coma or death.
At the hospital, the doctor will perform a neurological test. You’ll be asked to answer some questions, follow some instructions and move your arms and legs. This test can help the doctor determine how severe your brain injury is. You may also have other tests, such as a computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These tests take pictures of your head and brain. They help your doctor see if there is a fracture of the skull or bleeding, bruising or blood clots in the brain.
Treatment for a traumatic brain injury depends on the severity of the injury. If you have a mild traumatic brain injury, over-the-counter pain medicine can help with headaches and neck pain.
Treatment for a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury depends on the symptom. If you are having seizures, you may be given medicine to reduce the number of seizures. If you have certain kinds of arm spasticity, you may be able to try an injection of botulinum toxin into the muscle to help stop muscle spasms. You may need surgery if there is a skull fracture, if there are blood clots that need to be removed from the brain or if there is too much pressure inside the skull.
If the traumatic brain injury is severe, you may need physical and occupational therapy to regain skills that you may have “forgotten” because of your brain injury. Some of these skills can include walking, talking and feeding yourself.
Physical therapy is made up of stretching, strengthening exercises and muscle training. It helps with flexibility, coordination and strength.
Occupational therapy can help you re-learn how to perform daily tasks, such as bathing, getting dressed, cooking and writing. An occupational therapist can also teach you more about your injury and how to deal with it.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS traumatic brain injury information page. Accessed June 15, 2010
Brain Injury Association of America. About brain injury. Accessed June 15, 2010
Johnson G. In: Traumatic Brain Injury Survival Guide. How the brain is hurt. Accessed June 16, 2010
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Traumatic brain injury. Accessed June 15, 2010
Brain Injury Association of America. Brain Injury Treatment. Accessed June 15, 2010
The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Traumatic brain injury. Accessed June 15, 2010
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff