Overview

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs due to a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, causing damage to the brain. It can range from mild, with temporary effects, to severe, resulting in long-term complications or death. Causes include falls, vehicle-related collisions, violence, sports injuries, and combat injuries. Risk factors include age (children, young adults, and older adults), and gender (males).

Symptoms

TBI symptoms can appear immediately or later. Mild TBI symptoms include headache, nausea, fatigue, sensory problems, cognitive or mental symptoms, and mood changes. Moderate to severe TBI symptoms include loss of consciousness, persistent headache, vomiting, seizures, dilation of pupils, inability to awaken from sleep, weakness or numbness, loss of coordination, confusion, slurred speech, and coma.

Causes

TBI is caused by a blow or traumatic injury to the head or body. Common causes include falls, vehicle-related collisions, violence, sports injuries, and combat injuries. Explosive blasts and penetrating wounds can also lead to TBI.

Complications

Complications of TBI can be immediate or delayed. They include altered consciousness (coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, brain death), physical complications (seizures, hydrocephalus, infections, blood vessel damage, headaches, vertigo), intellectual problems (memory, learning, reasoning, attention, communication), behavioral changes (self-control, risky behavior, social difficulties), emotional changes (depression, anxiety, mood swings), sensory problems (ringing in ears, coordination issues), and a potential link to degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

Prevention

To reduce the risk of brain injury, use seat belts and airbags, avoid driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, wear helmets for sports and recreational activities, and avoid distractions while driving, walking, or crossing the street. For older adults, taking precautions to prevent falls around the house is essential. For children, safety measures such as installing safety gates, using nonslip mats, and proper playground equipment can help avoid head injuries.