Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) By: Puja Padalia and Caitlin Newton

What is it? Occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. Can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.   The damage can be focal (confined to one area of the brain) or diffuse (involving more than one area of the brain).

Types of TBI There are two major types of TBI: Penetrating Injuries: in these injuries, a foreign object like a bullet enters the brain and causes damage to specific brain parts. This focal, or localized, damage occurs along the route the object has traveled in the brain. Closed Head Injuries: result from a blow to the head as occurs, for example, in a car accident when the head strikes the windshield or dashboard. These injuries cause two types of brain damage

Types of TBI continued… Primary brain damage which is damage that is complete at the time of impact, may include: skull fracture contusions/bruises hematomas/blood clots lacerations nerve damage (diffuse axonal injury) Secondary brain damage, which is damage that evolves over time after the trauma, may include: brain swelling (edema) increased pressure inside of the skull (intracranial pressure) epilepsy intracranial infection fever hematoma low or high blood pressure low sodium anemia too much or too little carbon dioxide abnormal blood coagulation cardiac changes lung changes nutritional changes

Symptoms For a mild TBI: Fatigue Headaches Nausea Visual disturbances Memory loss Poor attention/concentration Sleep disturbances Dizziness/loss of balance Irritability-emotional disturbances Feelings of depression Seizures Nausea Loss of smell Sensitivity to light and sounds Mood changes Getting lost or confused Slowness in thinking

Symptoms continued… For moderate to sever TBI: Not understanding speech and languages Cognitive deficit Difficulties with interpretation of touch, temperature, movement, limb position and fine discrimination Partial or total loss of vision Decrease or total loss of hearing Diminished sense of smell Loss or diminished sense of taste Seizures Physical changes Social-emotional changes

Diagnosis There are many ways that TBI can be diagnosed. One of the ways to do it is using the Glasgow Coma Scale test. The Glasgow Coma Scale is based on a 15 point scale for estimating and categorizing the outcomes of brain injury on the basis of overall social capability or dependence on others. The test measures the (1) motor response, (2) verbal response and (3) eye opening responses. The final score is determined by adding the values of 1+2+3. This number helps medical practitioners categorize the four possible levels for survival, with a lower number indicating a more severe injury and a poorer prognosis Mild (13-15) Moderate Disability (9-12) Severe Disability (3-8) Vegetative State (Less Than 3)

Treatments The first treatment, that takes place right after the accident, is known as the ‘initial treatment’ This treatment begins when the patient arrives at the hospital. After the patient is discharged from the hospital, they move on to what is called the Rehabilitative Center for treatment, they attend an active therapy session. When the patient leaves the rehabilitation center, they continue to receive physical therapy at least once a week. As well as physical therapy, the patient can do continuous activities at home to get back into the swing of things.

Treatments continued… To narrow the field of treatments for TBI down further, there are three stages: The first stage is the acute stage. This stage focuses on saving the patient’s life. The second stage is the subacute stage. This stage is to rehabilitate and return the patient to the community. The third and final stage is the chronic stage. This is when the patient continue rehabilitation and treat the long-term impairments. The recovery process for traumatic brain injuries can last months or even years.

References "Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)." TBI |Traumatic Brain Injury| Traumatic Brain Injury Resources| Brain Injury Support | Brain Injury Information . N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/content/symptoms/tbi-symptoms.html>. "Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)." American Speech-Language-Hearing Association | ASHA. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/tbi.htm#dx>. "Traumatic Brain Injury Information Page: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)." National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). N.p., 15 Apr. 2011. Web. 17 Apr. 2011. <http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm>. TBI. (2010). Retrieved 04/16/11, from <http://www.neurologychannel.com/tbi/treatment.shtml>. Treatments for traumatic brain injury. (2001). Retrieved 04/16/11, from <http://www.traumaticbraininjury.com/content/treatmentsfor/rehabilitativecentertreatment.html>.