Despites sometimes initial subtle symptoms, blows to the head can cause long term traumatic brain injuries. Every year in the United States, almost 1.5 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). There are many TBI causes including car accidents, slip and falls, and physical assaults. Traumatic Brain Injury is defined by the Brain Injury Association of America as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the functioning of the brain. While not all head trauma results in TBI, it sometimes difficult to determine the severity of the brain injury. Approximately, 50,000 people die each year due to TBI. The Center for Disease Control estimates that more than 3 million Americans living with TBI require long term assistance in performing daily activities.
TBI is often missed in initial medical examinations following a head injury. Initial symptoms can be subtle and can be easily overlooked. The effects of TBI can be delayed and not evident for days or weeks. People suffering from TBI experience cognitive difficulties with attention and memory, sleep problems, confusion, speech problems, mood and emotional disorders, and sensory and perceptual problems. TBI can also cause physical seizures, chronic pain, increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders.
