What is a TBI?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”), a TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild” (i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury). Most TBIs that occur each year are mild, commonly called concussions.
Approximately 2.5 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury annually with more than 50,000 dying. The leading causes of TBI are falls, being struck by or against objects, motor vehicle crashes and assault.
How big is the problem?
The following statistics are from the CDC:
In 2013, about 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States.
TBI contributed to the deaths of nearly 50,000 people.
TBI was a diagnosis in more than 282,000 hospitalizations and 2.5 million ED visits.
What are the leading causes of TBI?
In 2013,1 falls were the leading cause of TBI. Falls accounted for 47% of all TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States. Falls disproportionately affect the youngest and oldest age groups:
More than half (54%) of TBI-related ED visits hospitalizations, and deaths among children 0 to 14 years were caused by falls.
Nearly 4 in 5 (79%) TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in adults aged 65 and older were caused by falls.
Being struck by or against an object was the second leading cause of TBI, accounting for about 15% of TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States in 2013.
Over 1 in 5 (22%) TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in children less than 15 years of age were caused by being struck by or against an object.
Among all age groups, motor vehicle crashes were the third overall leading cause of TBI-related ED visits, hospitalizations, and deaths (14%). When looking at just TBI-related deaths, motor vehicle crashes were the third leading cause (19%) in 2013.
Risk factors for TBI
Among TBI-related deaths in 2013:1
Rates were highest for persons 75 years of age and older.
The leading cause of TBI-related death varied by age.
Falls were the leading cause of death for persons 65 years of age or older.
Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of death for persons 5-24 years of age.
The leading cause of TBI-related hospitalizations varied by age:
Falls were the leading cause among children 0-14 years of age and adults 45 years of age and older.
Motor vehicle crashes were the leading cause of hospitalizations for adolescents and persons 15-44 years of age.
Identifying Brain Injuries
According to Braininjury.com
Frontal Lobe: Forehead
Loss of simple movement of various body parts (Paralysis).
Inability to plan a sequence of complex movements needed to complete multi-stepped tasks, such as making coffee (Sequencing).
Loss of spontaneity in interacting with others.
Loss of flexibility in thinking.
Persistence of a single thought (Perseveration).
Inability to focus on task (Attending).
Mood changes (Emotionally Labile).
Changes in social behavior.
Changes in personality.
Difficulty with problem solving.
Inability to express language (Broca’s Aphasia).
Parietal Lobe: near the back and top of the head
Inability to attend to more than one object at a time.
Inability to name an object (Anomia).
Inability to locate the words for writing (Agraphia).
Problems with reading (Alexia).
Difficulty with drawing objects.
Difficulty in distinguishing left from right.
Difficulty with doing mathematics (Dyscalculia).
Lack of awareness of certain body parts and/or surrounding space (Apraxia) that leads to difficulties in self-care.
Inability to focus visual attention.
Difficulties with eye and hand coordination.
Occipital Lobes: most posterior, at the back of the head
Defects in vision (Visual Field Cuts).
Difficulty with locating objects in environment.
Difficulty with identifying colors (Color Agnosia).
Production of hallucinations.
Visual illusions – inaccurately seeing objects.
Word blindness – inability to recognize words.
Difficulty in recognizing drawn objects.
Inability to recognize the movement of object (Movement Agnosia).
Difficulties with reading and writing.
Temporal Lobes: side of head above ears
Difficulty in recognizing faces (Prosopagnosia).
Difficulty in understanding spoken words (Wernicke’s Aphasia).
Disturbance with selective attention to what we see and hear.
Difficulty with identification of, and verbalization about objects.
Short term memory loss.
Interference with long term memory.
Increased and decreased interest in sexual behavior.
Inability to categorize objects (Categorization).
Right lobe damage can cause persistent talking.
Increased aggressive behavior.
Brain Stem: deep within the brain
Decreased vital capacity in breathing, important for speech.
Swallowing food and water (Dysphagia).
Difficulty with organization/perception of the environment.
Problems with balance and movement.
Dizziness and nausea (Vertigo).
Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia, sleep apnea).
Cerebellum: base of the skull
Loss of ability to coordinate fine movements.
Loss of ability to walk.
Inability to reach out and grab objects.
Tremors.
Dizziness (Vertigo).
Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech).
Inability to make rapid movements.
If you suspect you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact Bennett Injury Law immediately for a free consultation.
