First Choice Neurology

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Brain Injury Awareness MonthThere are an estimated 2.8 million people treated for traumatic brain injury or brain injuries in the United States each year. Children are at the highest risk of brain injuries. A brain injury is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. The most common brain injuries happen from a sports injury or a car accident. Symptoms of a brain injury can be immediate or delayed. This can include blurry vision, confusion, and difficulty concentrating.

Brain injuries may be classified as traumatic or non-traumatic to describe the cause of the injury. They may also be classified as mild, moderate, or severe to indicate the initial severity of the injury. A mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily.

What Can Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?

• Falls
• Assaults
• Car and Motorcycle Accidents
• Sports Injuries
• Abusive Head Trauma
• Gunshot Wounds
• Workplace Injuries

What Can Cause a Non-Traumatic Brain Injury?

• Stroke
• Infectious Disease (Meningitis, Encephalitis)
• Seizure
• Electric Shock
• Tumors
• Toxic Exposure
• Metabolic Disorders
• Neurotoxic Poisoning (Carbon Monoxide, Lead Exposure)
• Lack of Oxygen (Drowning, Choking, Hypoxic/Anoxic Injury)
• Drug Overdose

Brain Injury Warning Signs

• Trouble Thinking or Remembering
• Problems Sleeping
• Slurred Speech
• Problems with Vision or Hearing

 

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain function. Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and problems with concentration, memory, balance, and coordination. Concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head or a violent shaking of the head and body. This occurs from a mild blow to the head, either with or without loss of consciousness and can lead to temporary cognitive symptoms.

Symptoms for a concussion may include headache, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sleepiness, and excessive fatigue.

There’s no specific cure for a concussion. Rest and restricting activities will allow the brain to recover. This means one should temporarily reduce sports, playing video games, watching TV, or too much socializing.

 

If you or a loved one is suffering from a brain injury, contact a neurologist at First Choice Neurology today! We have several locations throughout Florida.

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