Brain injuries are one of the most concerning issues in the U.S. A recent study in shows, almost 1.5 million people suffer from brain injuries which is huge in number compared with deadly physical problems like multiple sclerosis (10,400), Spinal cord Injuries (11,000), HIV/AIDS (51,334), and Breast Cancer (176,300).
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can be defined as damage of brain or functional disabilities of the brain due to a direct or indirect hit in head or skull that protects the brain from all possible threats. In such cases, the brain can be bruised, stretched or torn to cause bleeding. The problems for a brain injury may start from mild and turn into severe in a shortest period of time.
Types of Brain Injury:
Nerve Damage: Nerve damage is the basic type of brain injury that may occur when receives a blow to the head. In first stage, you may not be aware of the injury & your doctor may also describe the problems as mild. But one important thing you should keep in mind is that a mild problem can turn into a serious problem that leads to loss of consciousness, known as a coma, losing control over sensory organs or arms or legs.
Bruising: It can be defined as bleeding inside of the brain due to a direct hit to the head. This can lead to functional disability of the brain, Coma, Seizures, brain damage or higher pressure inside the skull.
Oxygen supply interruption: Oxygen is a human’s lifeline and fuels the brain so it can fulfill its responsibilities. Blood flow within the brain can be interrupted due to an injury. This may creaate obstacles or decrease sufficient oxygen supply to brain that can lead to brain damage. This problem is popularly known as Anoxia.
Hematoma: Hematoma means blood pools inside of the brain. There are three types of hematoma including Epidural hematoma (outer layer of the brain, between the brain & skull), Subdural hematoma (middle layer of the brain), Intracerebral hematoma (the inner part of the brain). Hematomas also causes similar problems like nerve damage, bruising or oxygen deprivation
Cerebral hemorrhage: This is bleeding inside the head. It may occur in three areas of the brain including the outer surface, inside the spaces of the brain, or into the tissues.
Causes & Risk Groups of people
Researchers identified leading causes of brain injury which are, falls (28%), motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%), struck by/against (19%), Assaults (11%), Blasts or certain military duties for Military personnel. Also, the highest risk age group is identified as children 0-4 years of age or 15-19 years old.
Treatment of brain injury is based on the depth of the problem; it may include surgery, therapy, or a rehabilitation process that helps to overcome the problems. Finally, awareness and head protection is the best way to avoid incidents like brain injuries.
