Learn about a TBI
What is a TBI
A TBI (traumatic brain injury) is an abrupt incident resulting in harm to the brain; usually caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. This is a case of a closed head injury, but there can also be cases of a penetrating head injury, where an object penetrates the skull and causes a TBI. Symptoms of a TBI can range. They can be mild, moderate, or severe. Concussions are a mild form of a TBI, where as more severe TBIs can lead to serious physical and mental symptoms, coma, and sometimes death.
Causes and Symptoms of a TBI
1. Causes of a closed head TBI
- Falls (common in ages 65 and older)
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Being struck by an object
- Child abuse (common in children ages 4 and younger)
2. Causes of a penetrating TBI
- Being hit by a bullet or shrapnel
- Being hit by a hammer, knife, or baseball bat
- A head injury that can cause a bone to penetrate the skull
3. Symptoms of a TBI
Mild TBI symptoms
- Headache, confusion, dizziness, fatigue, and more
Statistics
According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 475,000 people in the U.S. in the age group of 0-14 sustain TBI annually, of which up to...