A brain injury is a condition where there is long-term or temporary disruption in brain function resulting from injury to the brain. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when there is a strong enough impact to the head to cause damage to the brain. Common causes of TBI include motorcycle accidents, sports injuries, falls, or acts of violence.
There are a number of symptoms that can range from dizziness and drowsiness to vomiting, severe headache, and shock. If the injury is severe enough, the damage can be irreversible. TBI can cause changes in personality, affect thinking and sensation, and increase the risk of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and other brain disorders.
TBI has been called the “signature injury” of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Increasingly, soldiers are surviving nearby bomb blasts, which produce brain injury through pressure waves that “shake” the brain.
TBI can leave many lasting mental effects, including such behavioral/mental health challenges as depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness. In soldiers, the symptoms may also overlap with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, making it more difficult for doctors to treat.
On our TBI page are resources for learning more about TBI, TBI treatment, and current news.
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