March is Brain Injury Awareness Month and Hammer Medical wants more people to be aware of this all-too-common injury and the impact it has on individuals, families and society.
The most common brain injuries are concussions, and most of those occur without a loss consciousness.
Who is at risk for a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? Everyone. Currently, more than 3.1 million children and adults in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of TBI. There are certain groups who are at greater risk than others.
- Males are about 1.5 times more likely than females to sustain a TBI.
- The two highest risk age groups for TBI are 0 to 4 and 15 to 19 year olds.
- Fall-related TBIs are the number one cause of death in people older than 65.
- Certain military duties increase the risk of sustaining a TBI, and 19% of returning active duty veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars have TBIs from blasts, motor vehicle accidents, helicopter crashes or gunshot wounds.
Brain injuries range in severity from mild concussions all the way to long-term vegetative states to death. For those that survive and regain consciousness, there are many common problems after brain injury. Some of the most common problems after a brain injury include:
- Problems with speech and language
- Sensory distortion (smell, taste, vision, hearing)
- Headaches/ head pain
- Cognitive impairments
- Short-term memory problems
- Behavioral issues/problems controlling emotions
- Balance/Unsteadiness
- Depression
There is no “cure” for a brain injury; only time and rehabilitative treatment. Prevention is the key to brain injury. Some easy preventative tips include wearing helmets for certain sports and recreational activities, always wearing a helmet when riding or operating a motorcycle or moped, keeping small children safe around water (bathtubs, pools) and having older children and adults take swimming lessons. Other precautions include never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or riding with anyone who is and removing tripping hazards around the house. Using mobility aids and having bathroom safety equipment installed are two easy ways to prevent these types of injuries. Let Hammer Medical help you find these types of equipment that will keep you or a loved one safe.
Source : the Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa
Tags: brain injury, Brain Injury Awareness Month, traumatic brain injury