TBI is a major cause of death and disability in the United States, contributing to about 30% of all injury deaths. Every day, 138 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI. Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing) or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression). These issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families, friends, loved ones and communities. 1
A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury 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.1
The HII is currently developing Patient Information resources for our site, which visitors and members can use. In the meantime, please visit the below links for some extremely informative TBI patient-related information.
- RadiologyInfo.org – The radiology information resource for patients
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury
- Brain Injury Association of America – Living With Brain Injury
- Brainline.org – For People with Traumatic Brain Injury
- American Association of Neurological Surgeons – Patient Information
- Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) – Online resource for parents, players and coaches
References
- “Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Fact Sheet”, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html