Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is a complex injury with a broad spectrum of symptoms and disabilities. TBI occurs when a sudden trauma damages the brain. TBI can also be called a brain injury, an acquired head injury, or simply a concussion.
Traumatic Brain Injury is caused when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, when the head is powerfully jolted or shaken, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.
Traumatic Brain Injury - How is it Diagnosed?
MRI and CAT scans can pinpoint damage, but diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury usually relies on observation and the presence of symptoms. Symptoms can easily be overlooked, especially if there is other trauma to the body, and the diagnosis of TBI can be missed. Cognitive skills testing can help detect TBI and is usually administered several days after the trauma.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury can be mild, moderate, or severe, and are not always immediate. They include:
-
Headache
-
Lightheadedness or dizziness
-
Confusion
-
Poor memory or memory loss
-
Poor concentration and lack of focus
-
Inability to perform sequential tasks
-
Difficulty organizing thought and activities
-
Poor problem-solving, decision-making and planning skills
-
Poor reading comprehension
-
Taking a long time to complete tasks
-
Blurred vision or tired eyes
-
Ringing in the ears
-
Bad taste in the mouth
-
Loss of consciousness
-
Convulsions or seizures
-
Numbness or poor coordination in limbs
-
Fatigue or lethargy
-
Agitation or restlessness
-
Change in sleep patterns
-
Mood swings and behavior changes
Traumatic Brain Injury - What is the Prognosis and Treatment?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States each year approximately:
-
1.5 million people suffer from TBI
-
50,000 people die from TBI
-
85,000 people suffer long-term disabilities
Disabilities depend on the location and severity of the injury, and the age and health of the individual. For people who recover, common long-term disabilities include problems with cognition (memory, attention, reasoning), sensory processing (sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing), communication (expressing and understanding) and behavior or mental health (depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, social inappropriateness).
Initial treatment focuses on stabilizing the patient to prevent further injury, along with testing, observation and mental and physical rest. Long-term rehabilitation can include:-
Physical therapy
-
Occupational therapy
-
Speech or Language Therapy
-
Social therapy
-
Vision Therapy
-
Psychiatric or psychological counseling
-
Cognitive skills testing and training
At LearningRx, our proven programs focus on cognitive skills training, or “brain training.” Our work with children, adults and seniors suffering from TBI (as well as many other learning problems) has shown significant results!
HOW IT WORKS: We start with a cognitive skills test that precisely identifies which cognitive skills areas require strengthening. You’re then paired with a LearningRx trainer who will meet with you one-on-one and guide you through targeted and focused exercises, timed drills, and other procedures that will quickly build those weak areas. This program actually changes the brain by creating new neural pathways (connections between brain cells).
Traumatic Brain Injury - Where can I learn more?