How does the human brain work?

The brain is made up of millions of nerve cells (neurons) that carry information to direct functions of the body such as body movements, breathing, body temperature, metabolism, heart rate, and thought processing. It also controls the senses such as, sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing. When someone suffers a severe brain injury, these functions can become impaired.

What are the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries?

The three leading causes of brain injury are auto accidents, violence, and falls. Other causes include sports injuries, airway obstruction, medical error, and electrocution. Brain injuries also can result from exposure to toxic gases and chemicals, near drowning, choking, infectious disease, stroke, and heart attack.

How do brain injuries occur?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are injuries suffered when there is a sudden and violent impact to the head, as opposed to hereditary or genetic causes. Such brain injuries happen when an impact breaks the skull and directly damages brain tissue. They can also occur when an outside force causes the brain to move inside the skull, damaging nerve fibers and brain tissue.

How many brain injuries are serious?

Almost 1.5 million people suffer serious brain injuries each year. Most of the injuries are relatively minor, including mild concussions. Nearly 250,000 people each year require hospitalization as the result of brain injuries and more than 70,000 die.

Who is most at risk?

Brain injuries can happen to anybody, but statistically men suffer twice the risk of women because they drive more and are more likely to suffer injuries performing physical labor. The risk is also higher in children, young adults, and people older than 75, most of whom suffer brain injury in falls.

What can be done for victims of severe traumatic brain injury?

Little can be done to reverse brain damage caused by severe trauma. Many victims require long term care and institutionalization. According to one study reported in 1999, the cost of serious brain injury in the U.S. exceeded $48 billion annually.

What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?

Symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Lethargy or fatigue
• Lightheadedness
• Change in sleeping patterns
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Mood or behavior changes
• Trouble with thinking, memory, or concentration.

Symptoms of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury may show these same symptoms, but may include:

• Convulsions
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Seizures
• Dilation of the pupils
• Headaches that gets worse or do not go away
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the extremities
• Loss of coordination
• Increased restlessness, confusion, or agitation.

How are TBIs treated?

Anyone with symptoms of moderate or severe TBI should receive immediate medical attention. Typically, little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by the injury, but medical professionals can help to preventing further injury. Primary concerns include:

• Insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and body
• Maintaining adequate blood flow to the brain
• Stabilizing blood pressure

Various imaging exams help in determining the diagnosis of a TBI patient. Patients with mild to moderate injuries may receive neck and skull X-rays to check for bone fractures and breaks. For moderate to severe cases, the imaging test is a CT scan. Moderately to severely injured patients receive rehabilitation that involves individually personalized treatment programs in the areas of:

• Physical therapy
• Psychology
• Social support
• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Psychiatry