What is traumatic brain injury (tbi)?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can range from a mild concussion to a severe head injury. It is caused by a blow to the head or body, a wound that breaks through the skull (such as from a gunshot), a fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain. This can cause bruising, swelling, or tearing of brain tissue.

With rest, most people fully recover from a mild brain injury. But some people who have had a severe or repeated brain injury may have long-lasting problems with movement, learning, or speaking.

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. These symptoms may include:

• Not thinking clearly, or having trouble remembering new information.
• Having headaches, vision problems, or dizziness.
• Feeling sad, nervous, or easily angered.
• Sleeping more or less than usual.

If you develop these kinds of symptoms at any time after a head injury—even much later—call your doctor.

The doctor will ask you questions about the injury. They may ask questions that test your ability to pay attention, learn, remember, and solve problems. The doctor will check for physical signs of a brain injury by checking your reflexes, strength, balance, coordination, and sensation. The doctor may order imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI to check your brain for bruising or bleeding. You may need other tests.

If your brain has been injured, you may need treatment and rehabilitation. You may need treatment right away that may include medicine, fluids, help with breathing, or surgery. Some treatment may be needed on a long-term basis. This might include:

Physical and occupational therapy.

These kinds of therapy help you regain the ability to do daily activities and to live as independently as possible.

Speech and language therapy.

This kind of therapy helps you with understanding and producing language, as well as organizing daily tasks and developing problem-solving methods.

Counseling.

Counseling helps you understand your thoughts and learn ways to cope with your feelings. This can help you feel more in control and help get you back to your life's activities.

Social support and support groups.

These give you the chance to talk with people who are going through the same things you are. Your family or friends may be able to help you get treatment and help support you.

Medicines.

Medicines can help relieve symptoms like sleep problems, chronic pain, and headaches. Medicines can also help if you have anxiety, depression, or memory problems. Talk with your doctor about what medicines might be best for you.

You may need to try different types of treatment before finding the ones that help you. Your doctor can help you with this.

Your brain will need time to heal. Rest is the best way to recover. Here are some tips to help you get better:

• Get plenty of sleep, and take it easy during the day.
• Don't drink alcohol or use drugs.
• Return to your normal activities gradually.
• Ask your doctor when it's okay for you to drive a car, ride a bike, or operate machinery.
• Ask your doctor when it is okay to return to sports or athletics.
• Avoid activities that make you feel worse. These may be physically or mentally demanding activities like housework, exercise, schoolwork, or video games.
• Ask your doctor which medicines you should and shouldn't take.
• If you feel irritable, get away from whatever is bothering you.