Every year, many thousands of Americans suffer from head injuries in accidents, crashes and other unexpected events. But head injuries can offer cause another event called a traumatic brain injury or TBI. Unfortunately, TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. In fact, according to recent studies, approximately 30% of all head injuries result in a brain injury that ultimately causes death or serious disability. TBI victims that survive a TBI often suffer from injuries that last for the rest of their lives.
What Causes TBI?
TBI can be caused by a jolt, bump, blow, or penetrating injury that alters the normal activity of the victim's brain. However, not all head injuries result in a TBI. Some TBI are mild with a slight change in mental status or loss of consciousness. A severe TBI could be caused by a harder blow and could result in an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after a head injury. Mild injuries can cause a variety of symptoms or a combination of mild and severe reactions.Effects Of TBI
The effects of TBI vary based upon the nature of the injury, the area of the head, the age of the patient and many other factors. In addition to serious disabilities and impairments to everyday activities, TBI can cause the following problems in patients:- Loss of sensation
- Personality changes
- Depression
- Impaired thinking or memory
- Impaired movement
- Loss of sensation
- Insomnia or changes in sleep patterns
What Types Of Injuries Can Cause TBI?
The type of injury can often dictate how seriously the patient will be impaired. However, certain types of injuries are definitely more common than others. The most significant number of TBI injuries are caused by falls, assaults, car and bike accidents. The age of the patient often determines what the most common causes are for head injuries. Small children ad the elderly are more prone to injuries from falls and assaults while adults tend to receive more injuries from car or bike accidents.TBI Risk Factors
- Men are more likely to die from TBI injuries.
- Persons over 65 years are more likely to suffer a TBI injury.
- Falls caused the highest number of TBI deaths for people over the age of 65.
- Auto accidents were the top cause of TBI death in children and young adults until age 24.
- In children ages 0-4, physical assaults were the leading cause of TBI death.
- For children ages 0-14 and adults 45 years and older, falls were the leading cause of TBI death or disability.