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- Traumatic Brain
Injury is acquired brain injury that is caused by external physical
force resulting in open or closed head injuries that result in impairments.
It does not include congenital or degenerative brain injuries or diseases.
- The peak incidence
of TBI is in the 15-25 yr old age range with male:female ratio of
3:1. The main cause of TBI is road accidents.
- The brain is
comprised of a variety of areas that control different functions.
These areas must work together to be able to control the bodies activities.
- TBI causes both
primary injuries, such as lacerations and bruising of the brain caused
by the initial injury, and secondary complications which can occur
later and cause further brain damage.
- The process of
recovery from severe TBI includes coma, post-traumatic amnesia (PTA),
lucidity and recovery, and retrograde amnesia. The severity of TBI
is measured by the duration of PTA.
- Rehabilitation
helps the person make the most of recovery that occurs spontaneously.
It involves 3 stages - acute management, community re-integration,
and social rehabilitation.
- The four main
categories of long term impairments caused by TBI are motor sensory,
communication, cognition, and behaviour / personality.
- Most TBI patients
return to their families. Aspects of both the patients and the families
life will be affected, which can put stress on family members.
- There are a variety
of services available to help people with TBI and their families
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