Severe Brain Injury: Frequently Asked Questions

Severe head injury may be characterized by an extended period of unconsciousness (coma), lasting days to months. Individuals with severe head injuries may make progress, however, often sustain significant permanent impairments.

severe brain injury occurs when trauma to the brain produces a significant neurological injury, resulting in physiologic changes to a person's brain. Four types of injury may cause trauma to the brain: • Closed head injuries occur when the brain tissue is injured by hitting the inside of the skull. ...

Depending on the location and severity of the injury, there may be physical and/or behavioral effects. A severe head injury may affect a person's ability to work, learn, and live with their family. Possible physical effects include difficulty with mobility and coordination, difficulty talking and communicating, severe headaches, and difficulty with sensation. Possible behavioral effects include personality changes, depression, short attention span, learning difficulties, and memory difficulties.

Depending on the location and severity of the injury, there may be physical and/or behavioral effects. A severe head injury may affect a person's ability to work, learn and live with his or her family. Possible physical effects include difficulty with mobility and coordination, difficulty talking and communicating, severe headaches and difficulty with sensation. Possible behavioral effects include personality changes, depression, short attention span, learning difficulties and memory difficulties.

Severe brain injury is characterized by a low Glasgow Coma Scale at the time of the initial medical intervention. Usually there is also a second assessment at twenty-four hours after the injury. The individual is often in a coma or a state of diminished consciousness, which lasts for hours, and may extend to days or weeks. ...

The following are some tips for preventing severe brain injury: -Wear a seatbelt every time you are in a motor vehicle. -Buckle your young child into a child car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt. -Always wear a helmet while riding a bike or motorcycle, playing a contact, riding a skateboard or using skates, while riding a horse, or while skiing or snowboarding. -Keep guns and bullets in a locked cabinet. -Avoid falls by using step-stools, ladders, and installing handrails on stairways.

A severe brain injury produces physiologic, cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioural changes. Some individuals develop medical problems related to specific deficits caused by the brain injury. The part of the brain that is injured determines the long-term effects. Often a severe brain injury involves multiple areas of the brain, resulting in multiple disabilities. Physical functions can be affected, such as standing, walking, and eye-hand coordination. ...

severe brain injury produces physiologic, cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioral changes. Some individuals develop medical problems related to specific deficits caused by the brain injury. The part of the brain that is injured determines the long-term effects. Often a severe brain injury involves multiple areas of the brain, resulting in multiple disabilities. Physical functions can be affected, such as standing, walking, and eye-hand coordination. Cognitive changes can include issues with memory and language. ...

Motor vehicle accidents -Gun related incidents -Various acts of violence -Slip and falls -Recreational Accidents (bicycle, motorcycle, ATV accidents) -Industrial Accidents

This depends on the areas of the brain that were injured and the extent of the injury. There is a window of time after the injury that is called the spontaneous recovery period . This is when the brain attempts to recover and repair the bruised neurons. The process takes weeks and may extend for months beyond the date of the injury. Rehabilitation helps stimulate the brain to retrain other neurons to take the place of those that have died. Often a person must relearn physical skills as well as functional skills. ...

Little can be done to reverse brain damage caused by trauma. Many victims require lifelong care and institutionalization. According to one study reported in 1999, the cost of traumatic brain injury in the United States exceeded $48 billion annually. Return to Brain Injury home page

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.

No research has been done to determine what degree of cognitive deficit would exclude a person with TBI as a reliable reporter of her/his own level of community integration. In the TBI model systems evaluation research, former inpatient rehabilitation patients are routinely interviewed with regard to their social and community activities.