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= Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) =

= Introduction = Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a classification of internal damage to the fatty tissue, synapses, nuerons, and inner workings of the brain via any sort of contact to the head. These types of injuries vary greatly in severity. Based on their severity, they can be sustained without knowing and have no tangible or measurable affects on cognitive function or they can be debilitating, kickstart CTE, and ultimately death.

History
The earliest understanding of traumatic brain injuries were cited before the 20th century was during the civil war when soldiers were struck dead by gunshot wounds to the head. The standard of the time created restrictions in terms of exploring the comorbidities of those that survived the initial wound. It wasn't unti the early 20th century that facilities and medicine had improved so that more effective studies could be carried out to better understand why a severe and even moderate blows to the head proved to be so fatal. This advancement was one that lept forward with the rest of the world's innovations. As rifles and ammunition had been advanced, World War I saw the modern weapons of war on the world stage for the first time. These rifles fired a sharper projectile that had more muzzle velocity, more penetrating power, and were more deformable. This, coupled with the widespread use of helmets, resulted in a more survivable incidence and a better opportunity to study the resulting effects. Being that teechnologies like MRI, CT Scans, and Ultrasound were not available, the medical understanding of TBI and its effects were still misunderstood. This resulted in patients with extreme TBI to be treated only for motor difficulties via different modes of physiotherapies.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Brain injuries vary based upon the severity and symptoms which is largely affected by the part of the brain that is affected and the malfunction as a result of the trauma. The most common of which is a concussion. Consussions often result in temporary LOC, headaches and light sensitivity. When several concussions are sustained, CTE is highly probable. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is one of the classifications of TBI in which bleeding occurs in the space of the brain that is normally filled with CSF. When this happens, the brain experiences a change in its surrounding natural environment and this creates a vast array of physiological problems.


 * Concussion
 * Contusion
 * Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)
 * Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemmorage (tSAH)
 * Hematoma

When a mild brain injury occurs, the person does not lose consciuosness and their eyes remain open. The following symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, disorientation, headache, and memory loss. When a moderate brain injury occurs, the individual may experience brain bleeding which could result in lethargy, and sudden LOC. When a severe brain injury occurs, unconsciousness is common, the eyes will not respond to stimulus, and LOC beyod 6 hours is common.

Treatments
Mild Injuries regarding TBI are often treatable by rest. Sleep, avoiding loud music, lights, and abrupt movement are a priority. When it comes to more severe injuries, treatment is very complex, invasive, and advanced. When neurocritical care is required, the patient is often comatose or paralyzed. In order to monitor the patient's condition, Intracranial Pressure Monitors, brain oxygen monitors, and other monitoring equipment is necessary. Anti-inflammatory drugs and invasive surgeries are often utilized to release intercranial pressure and allow for expansion, blood flow, and healing.

Rehabilitation efforts are utilized in circumstances where significant damage to the head has been inflicted and normal function is either impaired or absent altogether. Rehab methods include but are not limited to:


 * Physical therapy
 * Physical medicines
 * Occupational Therapy
 * Psychiatric Care
 * Physiological Care
 * Speech and Language Therapy
 * Social Support

A patient's rehab needs are decied by a series of functions that are critically reliant upon proper brain function.

Namely:


 * Bowel and Bladder Control
 * Speech and Swallowing abiltiy
 * Strength and Coordination
 * Mental and Behavioral State
 * Social support needs

These rehabilitation methods and criteria are essential to identifying the needs of the patient in order to restore them to the highest possible quality of life post-trauma.

Prevention
Prevention methods to reduce the probability of experiencing a traumatic brain injury include but are not limited to:


 * Wearing your seatbelt at all times in a vehicle
 * Wearing sufficient head prtection while riding bikes ,horses ,motorcycles, 4-wheelers, etc.
 * Wearing a propoerly fitted helmet.
 * Using a mouthpiece during contact sports.


 * Using safety guards for small children around staircases, windows, and tabletops.