| Traumatic brain injury is one of the most severe | | | | brain bounces against the inside of the skull when |
| and tragic injuries a person can suffer. Life-altering | | | | the head suffers a blow or it jerked or shaken |
| consequences can include decreased mental and | | | | excessively. |
| physical function, loss of memory, nervous | | | | • Open head injury – happens when the |
| system damage, communication difficulties, vision | | | | skull is compromised and the brain is punctured, |
| problems and learning disorders. | | | | typically from an object. |
| What Types of Accidents Cause Traumatic Brain | | | | Warning Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury |
| Injury? | | | | Symptoms that a TBI has occurred can be |
| A leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is | | | | obvious or subtle and include: |
| slip and fall accidents. This is especially common in | | | | • A headache that doesn't go away and |
| the elderly and can even result from nursing | | | | increase in pain intensity |
| home negligence. Some of the other causes of | | | | • Seizures |
| TBI include: | | | | • Vomiting |
| • Automobile accidents | | | | • Dilated pupils |
| • Motorcycle accidents | | | | • Numbness in arms and/or legs |
| • Truck accidents | | | | • General confusion |
| • Acts of violence, such as assault and | | | | • Blurry vision |
| battery, gun shots | | | | • Slurred speech |
| • Medical malpractice | | | | • Shifts in temperament or behavior |
| • Shaken Baby Syndrome | | | | • Ringing in the ears |
| Types of Traumatic Brain Injury | | | | Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury |
| Traumatic brain injury classifications include: | | | | After a person sustains a traumatic brain injury, |
| • Oxygen deprivation or acquired brain injury | | | | daily, work and family life can change dramatically. |
| – results when the brain does not get | | | | Any recovery may take years. And |
| sufficient oxygen, causing brain cells to be | | | | unfortunately, medical expenses and the reality of |
| damaged. | | | | short- and long-term loss of income can shatter |
| • Closed head injury –can occur when the | | | | financial security well into the future. |