Brain Injury Treatments

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is usually caused by a violent blow to the head. It could also be caused by an object entering brain tissue, such as a bullet. Injuries can be minor and heal without treatment, or they can be major. Major injuries can result in profound injury and disability or even death.

Significance

• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over one million people experience a traumatic brain injury annually in the United States. Of these, approximately 50,000 die. The CDC estimates that over five million people in the United States have a long-term need for assistance in performing routing daily activities due to a brain injury. About 75 percent of the brain injuries sustained each year are concussions, or mild TBIs.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a TBI depend on the severity of the injury. In mild cases, you may experience headache, confusion and dizziness. You could also experience mood changes, blurred vision or a brief loss of consciousness. In a moderate to severe injury, you could have loss of coordination, slurred speech, vomiting and seizures, and you may be difficult to awaken.

Stages of Treatment

• Immediate treatment of a traumatic brain injury is known as acute treatment. The focus is to save the victim's life. Emergency personnel will unblock airways, assist breathing and administer CPR if necessary. Swelling in the brain has to be monitored and treated. After the patient is stable, he will require sub-acute treatment, which focuses on detection of complications and prevention of additional injury. The patient may be sent home or admitted to a chronic care facility. Survivors of moderate to severe brain injuries may require treatment of long-term consequences of the injury.

Medications

• Injured brain tissue may swell, leading to further complications. Diuretics may be prescribed to reduce the amount of fluid in tissue. If you have had a moderate or severe brain injury, your doctor may prescribe anti-seizure medication, since people with brain injuries are at higher risk of having seizures.

Other Treatments

• Many patients who have had a brain injury require therapy to relearn basic skills, such as walking and talking. The type of therapy needed varies depending on the severity of the injury and what part of the brain was injured. For some injuries, including skull fractures, surgery may be required.

General Tips

• If you have a mild TBI, certain home treatment options can help speed your recovery. It's important to get plenty of rest and not rush back into your normal responsibilities. Avoid doing anything that could cause another jolt to the head. Check with your doctor before attempting to drive a car or operate heavy machinery. If you need help remembering, keep a pad and paper handy to write things down. Above all, be patient with yourself.