Brain Injury Awareness - Welcome Back Pain Management

Brain Injury Awareness
Welcome Back Pain Management & Upright MRI Centre
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The
best treatment for traumatic brain injury is prevention. Policies such as mandatory
helmets and seat belts have reduced the incidence and severity of traumatic brain
injury. However, they still occur far too often with devastating consequences for the
person and their family.
DR. RICHARD BROWNLEE
What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Neurosurgeon
• Focal impact to the head.
Board Member of Kamloops Brain
Injury Association (KBIA)
• Acceleration – deceleration mechanisms, which cause the brain to move within
DID YOU KNOW?
Many people with mild traumatic
brain injuries go unrecognized
and untreated. Concussion in
sport has raised our awareness of
mild traumatic brain injuries.
the skull, even without a direct impact to the head.
What Are the Causes?
• Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries,
accounting for approximately 50%.
• Falls are the second leading cause of TBI accounting for 20-30%. These are
most common in persons over 75 years of age and in very young children.
• Assaults, sports related injuries and recreational injuries account for the
remainder of traumatic brain injuries.
CONCUSSION PREVENTION TIPS
• Wear protective gear during sports and recreational activities. Ensure all
equipment fits properly, is in good condition and worn correctly.
• Replace your helmet at least every five years. Extensive use or extreme changes
in temperature can cause a helmet to deteriorate faster. If a helmet is dropped
or cracked, it should be replaced immediately.
• Always fasten your seat belt to reduce the risk of serious injury in the event of a
traffic accident. Make sure children are buckled in appropriately, according to
their size and the specifications on their carseats.
• Keep your home well-lit and your floors clear of items that might cause someone
to trip and fall.
• Block off stairways and install window guards to protect children.
• Regular excercise improves balance and strengthens leg muscles.
How are Brain Injuries Diagnosed?
Examination
of
the
person
provides
information on their level of consciousness
and responsiveness, which are used to
determine the severity of a traumatic brain
injury. Diagnostic imaging studies, mostly
commonly CT scans, provide evidence of
bleeding inside the skull which can be
inside the brain if there is a laceration or
contusion or on the outside of the brain but
inside the skull. This type of bleeding puts
pressure on the brain that can cause further
brain damage.
disruption of brain function as manifest by
one or more of the following:
• Any period of loss of consciousness
(LOC)
• Any loss of memory for events
immediately before or after the
accident
• Any alteration in mental status at the
time of the accident
• Focal neurological deficits, which may or
may not be transient.
The Glasgow Coma Scale is the most widely
used assessment tools for measures the
severity of a brain injury within the first 48
hours of the injury.
1. Eye Opening
2. Motor Response
Many patients with mild traumatic brain
injury do not present to the hospital and
those who do may be discharged from
the emergency department without being
recognized as having suffered a brain injury.
The Kamloops Brain
Injury Association
Unfortunately there are limited
A concussion is a form of mild traumatic
resources for treating people
brain injury. The diagnosis is based on the
with traumatic brain injuries
history and examination. CT scans and MRI
after they are discharged from
Mild Head Injury has been defined as
scans of the brain are usually normal with
the
a traumatically induced physiological
no evidence of damage to the brain.
3. Verbal Response
hospital.
Organizations
like the Kamloops Brain Injury
Association provide resources
for patients and their families
How are Traumatic Brain Injuries Treated?
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury and can include:
1. Physiotherapy for physical problems affecting the person’s strength, balance or
coordination.
2. Occupational Therapy helps the person and their family adapt to household, work
and recreational activities that are often affected by a brain injury.
3. Psychological Treatment is also important for the patient and the family because of
changes in personality, behavior and cognitive function that result from brain injuries.
Providing these services in a multi-disciplinary integrated program is the most effective
approach that deals with physical and emotional or psychological components of the injury
simultaneously.
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that can help with basic activities
of daily living. Basic skills like
riding a bus, buying groceries,
finding accommodations and a
job can be very difficult.