New Studies Show Promise In Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injury
As the medical and scientific communities learn more about how the brain operates, it is clear that TBIs can have short and long-term consequences that were not apparent until relatively recently.
January 18, 2013
New studies show promise in recovering from traumatic brain injuryTraumatic brain injuries have been the subject of much recent research. As the medical and scientific communities learn more about how the brain operates, it is clear that TBIs can have short and long-term consequences that were not apparent until relatively recently.
Causes and symptoms
The leading causes of TBIs are falls, car accidents and impacts with an object, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC reports that 35 percent of TBIs occur in falls, while 17 percent are car accidents. The remainder come from assaults, impacts and other events.
A TBI occurs when a blow to the head or sudden motion makes the brain slam up against the skull, causing bruising or lacerations in the brain. While a TBI can include cuts or bruises that are outwardly visible, sometimes there is no other evidence of a brain injury besides behavior.
Short-term symptoms of a concussion or TBI include memory loss, headache, nausea, mood changes and fatigue.
Long-term effects
The long-term effects of a TBI can be substantial. Two studies out of Australia recently found that TBIs, even in children as young as two, decrease cognitive function, lower IQ, influence behavior and lasts for years. One of the reports, published in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury, notes that one in 30 children will experience a TBI before the age of 17. One of the studies found that one-third of children who survive a TBI will have long-lasting effects from the injury.
Significant or severe TBIs lower a child's IQ by 7 to ten points, according to the study out of Australia. Mild TBIs did not significantly affect IQ, but did increase the risk of behavior issues.
The news isn't hopeless. Home environment and therapy can help the long-term side effects of a TBI. A stable environment, good relationships and brain exercises can help in the development and rehabilitation of the brain even years after a TBI.
Get help
According to Vicki Anderson, the lead editor of both studies, one in 20 emergency visits by children are for TBI, meaning that a child is more likely to have a TBI than a burn or poisoning. Because TBIs stem from a variety of causes and may lead to significant injury and rehabilitation process, those who have suffered a TBI should contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss potential compensation.
Article provided by The Law Offices of Bretzmann & Aldridge, L.L.P.
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