By Jacqueline Armour, PT, DPT, NCS
Many people are aware of the implications of a traumatic brain injury due to a motor vehicle collision as it often occurs at the same time as other more visible diagnoses such as a broken bone or bruising. However, what you probably don’t realize is that most brain injuries are “invisible” to others, which can make living with disability even more challenging. A brain injury can lead to difficulty thinking, concentrating, speaking, or swallowing, or it can lead to paralysis or loss of sensation, to name a few effects.
Acquired brain injuries can be caused by a variety of things including:
Infections
Toxic Exposure
Trauma
Substance Overdose
Stroke
Concussion
Oxygen Deprivation (Drowning)
Benign or cancerous tumors
Did you know that the most common cause of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is falls? The largest increase in fall related TBI deaths since 2008 occurred in people 75 years and older. After a brain injury, an individual will often need interdisciplinary care including physical (PT), occupational (OT), and speech therapy (ST). It is important to note that early PT and OT intervention is proven to reduce the risk of falls especially older adults and those with neurologic diagnoses.
Every brain injury is unique, just as everyone that experiences one is unique. If you have a loved one, friend, or coworker who has experienced a brain injury, remember they are more than their brain injury! Don’t let that define who they are.
Do your part to protect your brain – don’t forget to wear a helmet on the slopes this winter or when you get back on your bike this spring! And wear your seatbelt all-year round!
If you or your loved one needs help after a brain injury, our team is eager to help!
References: https://www.biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/brain-injury-awareness, www.cdc.gov