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Forms of Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)
Acquired Brain Injury refers to brain damage that occurs after birth. It can result from various reasons, such as a fall, tumour, transport accident, stroke, infection, lack of oxygen, stroke or a violent blow to the head.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Annually, on average one million people visit emergency departments after sustaining a head injury. While the majority recover without lasting impacts, a proportionate quantity of individuals is left with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which can have serious and long-term effects. Potential consequences include cognitive impairments, emotional changes, and physical disabilities.

TBI refers to brain damage caused by an external force affecting the head. It can arise from a vast number of incidents, including car accidents, physical assaults, falls, sports injuries, or accidents occurring at home or in your workplace. Furthermore, even low-impact injuries such as an instant jolt to the head, or repeated injuries in contact activities, can cause brain trauma.
In numerous instances, people may experience a short loss of consciousness or be impacted by symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or confusion after a mild head injury. It is projected that around 95% of all head injuries are categorised as mild and typically do not cause long-lasting damage. Although even mild categorised injuries should not be overlooked, As they could result in short-term cognitive, emotional, or physical symptoms that need to be monitored.

A moderate head injury is classified by a loss of consciousness lasting between 15 minutes and six hours or post-traumatic amnesia lasting up to 24 hours. Individuals with moderate injuries are often kept in the hospital for overnight observation and discharged if no other medial issues emerge. Nevertheless, they may proceed to experience prolonged symptoms, these can include headaches, dizziness, challenges concentrating, or mood swings, which can substantially impact their daily life and capability to function normally.

Severe head injury normally involves extended unconsciousness lasting over six hours or post-traumatic amnesia surpassing 24 hours. These patients normally need to be hospitalised and may require rehabilitation after the immediate risks have subsided. The longer the period of unconsciousness or coma, the more severe the physical and cognitive impairments tend to be, which may need ongoing care and assistance. Frequent issues include memory loss, speech and language difficulties, motor impairments, and alterations in personality. Continuous rehabilitation and mental health support are often crucial to assist patients in altering to their new situation and maximising their quality of life.

In some situations, individuals may experience Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), where symptoms endure long after the initial injury. PCS can develop after even mild traumatic brain injuries, often without clear structural damage to the brain. Common symptoms of PCS include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. These symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or longer, impacting a person’s ability to work, study, and perform daily tasks. Managing PCS often involves a range of physical therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychological support to help patients cope with enduring effects.

In addition, some individuals may develop Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease caused by recurring head injuries. This condition is often found in athletes with a history of concussions or those who have had repeated head impacts. CTE can cause symptoms such as depression, memory loss, aggression, and in some cases, early-onset dementia. Avoiding further injury and early detection are vital in regulating the progression of CTE.

Traumatic brain injuries, particularly severe cases, can also cause complications like seizures, infections, or brain swelling, which may prolong recovery time. Timely intervention, appropriate medical treatment, and a well-structured rehabilitation plan can massively enhance outcomes for TBI patients, supporting their recovery and helping them restore independence in daily tasks.

Stroke
A stroke is a medical emergency that takes place when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted, resulting in brain damage. There are two types of strokes:

1. Ischemic Stroke:

  • Cause: Ischemic strokes happen when a blood clot blocks or narrows a blood vessel, restricting blood flow to the brain. Without oxygen and nutrients, brain cells in the affected area begin to die.
  • Risk Factors: Conditions that increase the chances of clot formation, include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking. A history of heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or previous strokes also contribute to increased risk. An inactive lifestyle and poor diet also impact this.
  • Symptoms: These can onset abruptly and may include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision problems, and significant headaches.

2. Haemorrhagic Stroke:

  • Cause: A haemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the surrounding tissue. This may result in elevated pressure inside the skull, damaging brain cells and limiting normal function.
  • Risk Factors: High blood pressure is the leading cause of haemorrhagic stroke. Other factors include the use of blood-thinning medications, excess alcohol consumption, smoking, and a history of brain aneurysms. Drug abuse, particularly cocaine, and blood vessel abnormalities can also elevate the risk.
  • Symptoms: Can include sudden severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, numbness or weakness in the limbs, vision issues, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In some instances, there may also be seizures.
  • Both types of strokes can have life-altering impacts, and early detection is pivotal to reduce long-term damage.