Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A Brief Look at TBIs

Caleb Oshier

Salt Lake Community College

Professor Compbell
Psychology 1010

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A Brief Look at TBIs
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) have earned a more and more prominent place in
the eye of the public and medical professional. The affect that TBIs have had on our
youth in contact and high speed sports, such as lacrosse or mountain biking, has helped
boost recognition for TBIs. This would account for one of the two highest risk age
groups being 15-19 years, the other being 0-4 years old (Brainline.org, 2014). Of the 1.7
million who sustain a TBI each year in the United States: 52,000 die; 275,000 are
hospitalized (Brainline.org, 2014). These are some significant facts that have demanded
research and attention to better identify and treat TBIs.
Our text book briefly talks about TBIs but more information was needed to get a
better idea of the nature of TBIs. Brainline.org is a great resource citing much of its data
from the CDC. Brainline .org had numerous facts and numbers to back the critical nature
of TBIs as well as some from helpful information for patients and those around patients,
both medically trained and not. Though Brainline.org was helpful it was formatted in a
point and click format for better navigation of quick information. For a good paper type
of format The National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov) proved to be great resource. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a
form of acquired brain injury, occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain.
TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object

Traumatic Brain Injuries

pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. (The National Institute for Neurological
Disorders and Stroke [http://www.ninds.nih.gov]) is how TBIs are defined by the
NINDS. This helps define TBIs but more is needed to diagnose them.
Using tests like the Glasgow Come score to rate a persons motor response, verbal
response and eye opening to different stimuli is a good way to get a basic idea of the level
of current brain injury. Further testing such as PET, MRI and CT scans are important for
getting a more detailed idea of what problems the patient is dealing with and what
treatment is needed for the patient. Treatment has evolved considerably over the past five
years. Five years ago I received and TBI while dirt biking and after being hospitalized,
for observation, I was told to not hit my head again for at least weeks. Today minor
concussions are being treated seriously with an emphasis on, not only protecting your
brain, resting your brain. Student athletes are, often times, getting brain scans prior to
playing in possible contact sports to have a better base line in case of a TBI during the
sport. This kind of proactive approach is saving brains and some of those high risk youth
for more permanent affects. Sometimes prevention and non-invasive treatment arent
enough and surgery is needed to relieve pressure in or around the brain. Even the
techniques around brain surgery are rapidly evolving.
Five years ago I was dirt biking up a logging road and coming in to a corner when
I was hit head on by two other riders. I dont remember the crash but I remember waking
up very disoriented. I pulled off my helmet and found cerebral spinal fluid and blood
coming from my nose. The two other riders left me to find my way back which was a
very confusing ride. My memory was very scattered for the ride back to my truck and for

Traumatic Brain Injuries

my drive home. I was hospitalized for 24 hours then released with the orders to not injure
my head for at least 6 weeks. There was no follow up. My memory was very scattered for
at least two weeks with a slow return to almost normal. Since then I get moments were
there are gaping holes in my memory on things like words or tasks. I dont forget things
like necratizing fasciitis but things like what kind of a bike I have or a close friends name.
Had my treatment been more thorough I might have had a better recovery.
A friend of mine, recently, hit his head on a rock while wearing a helmet. He was
momentarily knocked unconscious. He sought out medical help and was advised to avoid
bright lights, reading, heavy activity and strenuous brain activity. He was told to rest and
take it easy for at least one week. He had no complaints after the low speed crash, other
than a mild headache yet he was treated seriously and given information to help with a
more successful recovery. Treatment like this is a great step forward for the treatment of
TBIs.
As we continue to learn about how TBIs affect our brains we continue to learn
how to treat it and better prepare ourselves for prevention. Prevention and preparedness
such as base line MRIs or wearing a helmet can make a huge difference in the outcome
of TBIs. TBIs can have a lifelong profound effect on your life and there are things like
down time or knowing how to recognize a TBI that can save a lot of heart ache later in
life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

References

1. Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG. Traumatic Brain Injury in the United
States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths 20022006.
Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for
Injury Prevention and Control; 2010. Retrieved from
http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/07/facts-about-traumatic-brain-injury.html
on September 21, 2014.
2. Office of Communications and Public LiaisonNational Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (2014, July). Retrieved from
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/tbi.htm on September 23, 2014