Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when a severe jolt or blow to the head leads to brain damage. It can also result when an object, such as a bullet or shrapnel, pierces the brain.
What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBIs are commonly caused by sports injuries, falls, acts of violence, and collisions involving drivers or bikers. Symptoms can appear immediately after the incident or gradually emerge in the days that follow. A concussion, which is a type of TBI, results from a hit to the head or body that causes rapid movement of the head and brain. A person should seek medical attention after a severe blow to the head, especially if it seems to have altered the person’s behavior.
Injuries are categorized as mild, moderate, or severe based on how long the person was disoriented and unconscious , as well as on brain scan results. People with TBIs can experience symptoms that differ in nature and degree. They may experience headaches, nausea, disorientation, drowsiness, trouble sleeping , slurred speech, or loss of consciousness. They may also struggle with concentration , memory , decision-making , impulse control, anger , and depression . In the sensory domain, they may hear ringing in their ears, have vision impairments, or be especially sensitive to light and sound.
TBIs are quite common. About 2.87 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths were attributed to TBIs in the United States in 2014, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The number of TBIs increased by 53 percent between 2006 and 2014. In 2019, there were 61,000 TBI-related deaths.
Concussions are often overlooked or misdiagnosed, but early recognition is key to recovery. According to the CDC, signs of a concussion include:
Explore More About Traumatic Brain Injury
For a comprehensive understanding of traumatic brain injury, read our complete guide: