Traumatic brain injury therapy

Traumatic brain injury, also known as TBI, is when a sudden trauma occurs that causes damage to the brain. The trauma can be caused due to the head violently striking an object or even when an object strikes the head and pierces the skull. Individuals involved in a major automobile accident will sometimes experience traumatic brain injury. Someone who has taken a fall and hit their head on a hard surface is a candidate for TBI. The main priority in TBI is seeking immediate medical help and scheduling the required traumatic brain injury therapy that will be needed.

Symptoms of TBI are varied with the severity of the injury. An individual experiencing mild TBI may feel lightly dizzy or have a momentary loss of consciousness. The person may also experience a headache, blurred vision, a sense of tiredness in the eyes, general feeling of exhaustion, a bad taste in their mouth and mood changes. Moderate to severe TBI symptoms can experience the same symptoms but may also have a headache that does not cease, nausea and vomiting, dilation of the pupils, convulsions and/or seizures slurred speech, a sense of confusion, lack of the ability to wake up from sleep, a numb feeling in the arms, legs or both and possible lack of coordination.

Immediate traumatic brain injury treatment for anyone who thinks they may have TBI is important because this gives your physician and medical team the ability to address the potential problem before it has a chance to get worse. Little will be able to be accomplished to reverse any brain damage that might have occurred if not seen immediately. Therapy usually begins by ensuring enough oxygen is getting to the brain. This is combined with general body stabilization for blood pressure, overall blood flow and rest. Moderate to severe cases will involve X-rays and CT (computed tomography) tests. This test will be done to examine the brain condition and see if there is anything outstanding that needs to be noted. There should be a rehabilitation treatment tailored to the needs of the patient and address the problems that the patient may be experiencing. Therapies can include: physical therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology and/or psychiatry needs, psysiatry (physical medicine) and social support.

Part of the social support should include family reinforcement and the contact of support groups and organizations that specialize in the topic of TBI. Some of the most noted organizations include Brain Injury Association of America, Inc. and Brain Trauma Foundation. Maintaining communication and attending support groups will help both the family and the patient understand the healing process, the expectation levels and share the experience of the healing process. Information that is shared can include research, outreach groups, education, advocacy programs and help lines. This is paramount as part of the traumatic brain injury therapy.

The time required for rehabilitation is completely dependent on the severity of the injury. The patient and family members need to work together and with their physicians and support groups to improve the chances of a meaningful recovery.

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.