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Brain Injury Symptoms and Types

Brain injury, also known as, TBI occurs in men twice as often as in women and has been linked to differences in lifestyle activities. The highest risk is in males aged 15 to 24. TBI risk and frequency dips until a person reaches the age of 60. Motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of brain injury followed by sports brain injury or physical activity and physical assaults. Brain injuries affecting newborns and young children may occur during child birth, or in the growth or developmental process by accidental drops, baby shaking, falls and more. For people 60 and over, falls are the leading cause. On the rise are gunshot wounds from robberies or suicide attempts.

Brain Injury Symptoms

Of course, this information cannot replace the advice of a doctor, but when it comes to head injuries, both caregivers and the injured party must be involved in the evaluation. The impairments may be slight or severe, but cannot be ignored, including, but not limited to:

  • Disorientation and Drowsiness
  • Memory Loss
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding, such as, slurred speech or inappropriate response
  • Difficulty seeing and/or hearing
  • Changes in personality or behavior, including depression
  • Inability to perform or complete normal daily tasks at home or on the job
  • Limited mobility or difficulty walking
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Stroke
  • Coma
  • Death

Partial List of Brain Injuries

Closed Head Injuries: Closed Head Injuries are one of the most challenging brain injuries to discover. Closed head injuries involve a blow to the head, but no break in the skull. However, the resulting impairments may be significant.

Cerebromedullospinal Disconnection (Locked-In Syndrome): Locked-In syndrome describes paralysis of select muscles in the body, but does not affect consciousness. For example, victims may not be able to talk, but may be able to blink their eyes.

Concussion: Concussion is the most common form of head injury. This may result in temporary loss of consciousness, accompanied by amnesia equating to minutes preceding the accident and thereafter.

Contusion: Contusions refer to bleeding or bruising in the brain.

Coup or Contrecoup Head Injuries: Coup injuries occur on a focal point of the brain when it is jolted against the skull by an object. Contrecoup involves the impact of the opposite side of the brain when the impacted side of the skull jolts the brain from side to side while the head is moving in motion.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Diffuse Axonal Injuries may present in mild or extensive ways. Many victims suffer from a temporary or permanent comatose state.

Open (Penetrating) Brain Injuries: Open head injuries are defined by a force to the head that results in penetrating the skull.

It is important to recognize that all information contained on this website cannot be considered to be specific medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or medical advice. As always, you should consult with a physician regarding any medical condition.