Traumatic Brain Injuries - 772 Words

The Silent Epidemic It only takes a split second for a jolt to the skull to cause extensive damage and serious impairment of the voluminous and vital neurological functions. Who would be your power of attorney? How would you pay for the medical bills? Questions the majority of people never even think of- you never think it could be you. Effects may be long term or short term, depending on the gravity of the incident. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem in the United States. Based on recent studies, on average, 1.7 million people endure a traumatic brain injury each year. The leading causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries are falls, motor vehicle accidents, struck by or against objects, and assaults. The initial†¦show more content†¦Every TBI is unique, sometimes symptoms appear right away, and other times it takes days or weeks after the injury. Symptoms of a mild TBI include: difficulty thinking, persistent headache, dizziness and irritability, alteration of normal sleeping patterns, nausea or vomiting, and anxiety. In rare cases, a blood clot may form crowding the brain against the skull after a concussion, immediate health care is needed. Considering no two brain injuries are the same, treatment is stipulated accordingly. In the case of mild injury management, it is fairly low maintenance, requiring a lot of rest and over-the-counter pain medicine. However, the patient must be monitored religiously in case of worsening or new symptoms where immediately medical attention is vital. Once cleared by a doctor, the patient steadily returns to their normal schedules. Immediately after moderate and severe injuries, treatment is concentrated on prevention of secondary damage resulting from inflammation, bleeding, or reduced oxygen supply to the brain. Medications prescribed to diminish chance of secondary loss include diuretics, anti-seizure drugs, and coma-inducing drugs. Surgery is crucial in removing hematomas (clotted blood), repairing skull fractures, and opening a window in the skull in order to relieve pressure and allow room for swelling. A large part of treatment is rehabilitation. The goal is to get patients back to their normal daily routines. Rehab usuallyShow MoreRelatedA Traumatic Brain Injury 1708 Words   |  7 PagesA traumatic brain injury (â€Å"TBI†) occurs when the brain is somehow injured, rattled, or wounded from an external source of force. The means of acquisition and the severity of TBIs are unique to each patient; therefore, symptoms and rehabilitation can vary greatly depending on the patient’s condition following the incident and how they sustained the injury. The severity of a TBI is generally classified into one of three categories: mild, moderate, or severe, and this type of diagnostic criteria influencesRead MoreTraumatic Brain Injury1030 Words   |  5 Pagesto provide therapeutic and counseling services that assist persons suffering with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or acquired brain injury (ABI) in coping and recovering from the mental illnesses that often accompany such tragedies. TBI/ABI has shown a proven link with â€Å"anxiety, depression, perso nality changes, aggression (National Alliance on Mental Illness Veterans Resource Center May 8, 2009 Traumatic Brain Injury)†, as well as many other issues. As the caregiver for a survivor of a rare and deadlyRead MoreSymptoms And Injuries Of A Traumatic Brain Injury841 Words   |  4 Pages Nearly two million people experience a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. The degree of severity from the incident may range from no underlying brain injury to severe compression of brain tissue. 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Further evaluation IV. Interventions and Treatment a. Deployed interventions i. Medications b. Nursing Interventions i. Manage symptoms ii. Family education. The human brain is a scientificRead MoreBrain Studies on Traumatic Brain Injuries1953 Words   |  8 Pagesfrom a traumatic brain injury. While working at a railroad site, an iron tamping rod (43 inches long, 1.25 diameter) went through his left cheek, through his brain, and out the skull. He surprisingly ended up surviving this traumatic injury. After a month in the hospital, he was back out on the street. Once a nice, caring person, Phineas turned into an aggressive man who could not even keep a job. Just like Phineas Gage, a TBI can potentially change everything. Brain studies on traumatic brain injuriesRead MoreTraumatic Effects Of Traumatic Brain Injury1278 Words   |  6 PagesTraumatic Brain Injury Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most common causes of death and long-term disability in children (Kraus, 1995). It is an acquired brain injury that occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain (NIH,2016). The symptoms for Traumatic Brain Injury include frequent headaches, lightheadedness and dizziness. An individual may experience having blurred vision tired eyes, and fatigue. Even stressors prior to having an injury can contribute to the result of postRead MoreImaging Of Traumatic Brain Injuries Essay1585 Words   |  7 PagesImaging of Traumatic Brain Injuries: An Investigative Report INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) consist of pathological intracranial characteristics of altered brain function cause by an outside force. TBI’s have plagued emergency rooms in recent years. TBI’s are the number one cause for death and disability in American youth and young adults. The drastic increase in TBI prognosis has been credited for reasons such as; increased competitiveness in sports, increased speeds of automobilesRead MoreEssay on Traumatic Brain Injury1034 Words   |  5 PagesTraumatic brain injury occurs when a person is hit in the head with a blunt force. This significant force to the head can happen playing recreational sports, on the playground, being in a car or motorcycle accident, falling down at home and your head impacting something, a blast or explosion. Traumatic brain injuries are also the leading cause of fatality rate and disability, especially in children, young adults and elderly. TBI is a devastating condition that affects millions of p eople nationwide