There 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.