A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain or skull caused by an external force, such as a strike or impact. Brain injuries are often permanent and disabling, unlike other injuries, such as broken legs or cuts that can heal. The leading causes of traumatic brain injury are falls, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults.
Signs and Symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be either subtle or obvious depending on the severity of the injury. Some common signs and symptoms of a TBI include:
* Headaches or neck pain that do not go away
* Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
* Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
* Getting lost or easily confused
* Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy or motivation
* Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
* Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping)
* Lightheadedness, dizziness, or loss of balance
* Urge to vomit (nausea)
* Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
* Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily
* Loss of sense of smell or taste
* Ringing in the ears
The Burden of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Each year in New York State, TBIs result in:
2,100 deaths
18,500 hospitalizations
82,000 emergency department visits
$860 million in hospital charges
Falls, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults are the leading causes of TBI.
Who is at Greatest Risk?
Males are more likely to sustain a TBI.
Adults 65 years and older have the highest rate of TBI deaths.
Children under the age of one and adults 65 years and older are most likely to sustain a TBI severe enough to require hospitalization; 15 to 19 year olds have the third highest rate.
Children under the age of one, followed by 1 to 4 year olds, are the most likely to be treated in an emergency department for a TBI; 15 to 19 year olds have the third highest rate.
In motor vehicle crashes, not wearing a seat belt, alcohol, and speed are all associated with high rates of TBI.
Prevention Tips
Among Kids
Winter
Children are most commonly injured when the sled hits something or gets out of control. Find hidden dangers of rocks or tree stumps hidden under snowy bumps by walking the slope with your child before the first run.
" Playing hockey without a helmet is dangerous. Blows from a puck or stick can injure a brain. Require your child to wear a helmet at all times when playing hockey. Check the effects of weather conditions and temperatures on outdoor ice before skating.
" Most skiers are hurt at the beginning and end of the day. Arrange for lessons to help how to ski or snowboard safely.
" Snowmobile riders are most often hurt by falling off snowmobiles during collisions. Know with whom your child is riding, their age, driving skills and safety habits.
" Children using safety belts are less likely to die or to be severely injured in a crash. Children learn from their parents. You set the best example for your child by always buckling upon every trip. Know when to use a safety seat or booster seat for your child.
Spring
" Bicycle incidents are most likely to occur within five blocks of home. Teach by example. A bicycle helmet is a necessity not an accessory.
" Baseball has the least amount of safety equipment required of any youth sport. Check that your child's baseball helmet meets standards of the national Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment. (NOCSAE)
" Falls are the most common cause of playground injuries. Check the surface under playground equipment. Avoid asphalt concrete, grass and soil surfaces. Look for surfaces with shredded mulch, pea gravel, crushed stone and other loose surfaces.
" Two-thirds of all-terrain vehicle accidents have involved children under 16 years old. Model safe behavior by always wearing helmets with face protection and protective clothing.
" Brain injuries occur when skaters fall and hit their heads on the pavement.
Wear a helmet for protection against falls.
" Brain injury is the leading cause of death among children hit by cars. Always stop at the curb or edge of the road; never run into the street.
Summer
" Most children who survive drowning are found within two minutes of being under water; most who die are found after 10 minutes or longer. Always supervise your child around water.
" Alcohol use is a leading factor in boating incidents and deaths. Stop your child from riding in a boat with anyone who has been drinking alcohol.
" A bicyclist who is wearing a helmet is less likely to die, be seriously injured or become disabled if hit by a car. Buy a helmet that meets the safety standards of ANSI , Snell, or ASTM. Tighten chin strap to keep helmets from slipping forward or backward. Only two fingers should fit under the chin strap Place the helmet directly over the forehead.
" Screens are designed to keep out bugs, not to keep in children. Install child safety window guards.
Fall
" Concussion is the most common consequence of brain injury in contact sports. Ask if coaches and other staff know the correct procedures for grading a possible concussion and have guidelines for removing a child from the game.
" Injuries from soccer sharply increase at age 14 due to more aggressive play and the heavier weight of players. Use the body and extremities, not the head, to hit the ball.
" During horseback riding, the most serious injuries are caused by being separated from the horse while riding or by falling with the horse. Be a role model, and always wear a riding helmet. Choose a horse that matches your child's ability.
" Falls are the leading cause of injury on Halloween. Use face paint or cosmetics instead of loose fitting masks. Make costumes short enough to prevent tripping.
" Most children that are hit and killed by cars are playing in the street. Wait for the school bus in a safe place off the road. Walk facing traffic if there is no sidewalk.
Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Brain Injury.
Association of America to reduce the chances that you or your family members will have a brain injury.
* Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.
* Always buckle your child into a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt(according to the child's height, weight, and age) in the car.
* Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
* Wear a helmet and make sure your children wear helmets when:
• Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle;
• Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing;
• Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard;
• Batting and running bases in baseball or softball;
• Riding a horse; or
• Skiing or snowboarding.
* Avoid falls in the home by:
• Using a step stool with a grab bar to reach objects on high shelves;
• Installing handrails on stairways;
• Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows;
• Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around;
• Removing tripping hazards such as small area rugs and loose electrical cords;
• Using non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors;
• Putting grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower;
• Maintaining a regular exercise program to improve strength, balance and coordination;
• Seeing an eye doctor regularly for a vision check to help lower the risk of falling.
Make sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood, mulch, and sand.
Keep firearms stored unloaded in a locked cabinet or safe. Store bullets in a separate secured location.
source: cdc.gov
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