Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) causes 20 times more disabilities than AIDS, breast cancer, spinal cord injuries, and multiple sclerosis combined.
- In the U.S. an estimated 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury each year.
- Every 21 seconds, someone will incur a traumatic brain injury.
- Every 5 minutes, one person will die, and another will become permanently disabled, from a brain injury.
- Every year, 52,000 people die from a TBI
What is TBI?
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a traumatic brain injury as a head injury that disrupts normal brain function. It can be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head, or a penetrating head injury. The injury can range from mild to severe, depending on symptoms. A mild TBI may show only a slight mental status changes for a short period of time, while a more severe TBI could present concussion or an unconscious episode for a longer period. Severe TBI can also produce amnesia.
How does TBI occur?
- Falls, often from great heights
- Auto accidents
- Being hit by a heavy or sharp object (i.e. baseball bat, golf club, bullet, knife).
- Assault or abuse, such as vigorous shaking
- Stroke, seizures or other medical problems
What are the symptom of TBI?Who is affected by TBI?
Falls are the leading cause of TBI. The rates are highest for infants to 4 years old and for adults 75 years and older. Car accident injuries are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths, with the highest risk group being adults from 20 to 24 years old.
A range of symptoms may occur, depending on the severity of the injury. Some of the more common symptoms that are almost immediately apparent include swelling of scalp, dizziness, headache, confusion, vomiting, amnesia, unconsciousness. The long-term consequences of a serious TBI include cognitive, psychological, and physical impairments.
Resources:
http://www.thinkfirst.org/Documents/FastFacts/BW/Traumatic%20Brain%20Injury.pdf
http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/BlueBook_factsheet-a.pdf
