Traumatic Brain Injury

Define Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

An Acquired Brain Injury is an injury to the brain which:

- Occurs after birth

- Is not related to a congenital or a degenerative disease

- Can cause temporary or permanent impairments that result in physical, emotional, and intellectual difficulties.

Define Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

A TBI is a type of acquired brain injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain and is caused by:

- A blow to the head

- A penetrating head injury

- The injury may be a closed- or an open-head injury. A closed-head injury is when the skull stays intact, while an open-head injury is when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain.

Define Non-traumatic brain injury

A Non-Traumatic Brain Injury is a type of acquired brain injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain and is caused by an internal event, rather than an external force. Non-traumatic brain injuries are just as serious and life altering as TBIs.

Give 10 examples of Non-traumatic brain injuries

- Stroke

- Drug induced

- Anoxic brain injury

- Exposure to toxins

- Meningitis

- Encephalitis

- Brain tumors

- Near drowning

- Infection

- Aneurism

Give 10 examples of traumatic brain injuries

- Concussion

- Violence

- Blast injury

- Struck by or against something

- Falls

- Motor vehicle crash - Abusive head trauma

- Shaken baby syndrome

- Sports injuries

List 6 causes of TBI

- Falls: Falls from heights like buildings, trees, ladders, bicycles, etc., as well as small falls like slips, tumbles down steps, and loss of balance.

- Struck by/against something: falling debris, motor vehicles, violence, etc.

- Motor vehicle crash: Cars, motorcycles, ATVs, etc.

- Violence: Domestic violence, gang violence, assault, shaken baby syndrome, etc.

- Explosion/Blast Injury: Military service members (combat and non-combat positions), civilians, journalists, etc.

- Concussion: Sports-related injuries, motor vehicle crashes etc.

List 8 causes of non-traumatic brain injures

- Stroke

- Infection: Meningitis, Encephalitis, etc.

- Anoxia/Hypoxia: (No oxygen or too little oxygen is making it to the brain)(Near drowning, asphyxiation, strangulation, aspiration, etc.)

- Brain Tumors

- Aneurysm

- Exposure to Toxins ((cleaning products, pesticides (DDT/DDE, Chlorpyrifos), PCB's, arsenic, ethanol, toluene, etc))

- Drug Induced: (Cocaine, Methamphetamines, Inhalants, MDMA, etc)

Provide the 4 factors that determine the severity of a brain injury

- Determining the severity of a brain injury usually depends on four factors:

1. Confusion/Disorientation

2. Loss of Consciousness

3. Memory Loss

4. MRI/CT/Imaging

In regards to brain injuries define comorbidities

- The effects a brain injury can have on a person often leads to the development of comorbidities.

- Two or more simultaneously present chronic diseases or conditions are known as comorbidities. (Brain Injury + a chronic disease or condition)

Provide 6 examples of common type of comorbidities

- Substance use/abuse

- Sleep problems

- Depression and suicidality

- Epilepsy

- Neurodegenerative diseases (EX. ALS, Alzheimer's, dementia, etc.)

- Fatigue

Define P.U.R.P.L.E. in regards to preventing abusive head trauma

- The Period of PURPLE Crying is an evidence-based approach to preventing abusive head trauma through parent and caregiver education.

P: peak of crying (your baby may cry more each week, the most in month 2, then less in months 3-5)

U: unexpected (crying can come and go and you don't know why)

R: resists soothing (your baby may not stop crying no matter what you try)

P: pain-like face (a crying baby may look like they are in pain, even when they are not)

L: long lasting (crying can last as much as 5 hours a day or more)

E: evening (your baby may cry more in the late afternoon and evening)

Provide 11 signs of a traumatic brain injury

- Confusion or disorientation

- Loss of consciousness

- Severe headache

- Nausea or vomiting

- Dizziness

- Blood or clear fluid draining from nose or ears

- Weakness, numbness, or tingling in limbs

- Trouble walking

- Slurred speech or vision

- Seizures

Provide 6 signs of stroke

- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body

- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches

- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements

- Sudden problems with walking or balance

- Sudden vision changes

- Sudden trouble speaking

Define FAST in regards to assisting someone who is possibly having a stroke

An easy way to remember these signs and symptoms is to use the acronym FAST:

F-Face drooping-Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person’s smile uneven?

A-Arm Weakness- Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S-Speech Difficulty-Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat simple sentences. Is the sentence repeated correctly?

T-Time to call 9-1-1-if someone shows any of these symptoms. Even if the symptoms go away, get the person to a hospital immediately. Check the time so you’ll know when the first symptoms appeared.