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Brain Injury Key Concepts and Recovery Process Notes

Introduction

  • Brain injury affects various aspects of life.
  • Relationships and roles of family and friends must adjust to changes.
  • Strong support from family is essential.
  • Adjustments should be gradual, guided by healthcare professionals.

Understanding Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

  • Definition: Medical conditions altering brain function after childhood, e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, tumors.
  • Aftereffects can be cognitive, psychosocial, or physical, with disabilities often not visibly apparent.
  • Common family misconceptions:
    • Belief that more effort will lead to improvement.
    • Misunderstanding of physical presentation vs. cognitive state.

Family Adjustment to ABI

  • Family members may experience shock, fear, anger, anxiety, and guilt.
  • Roles and responsibilities shift within family units due to the injury.
  • Long-term care can lead to stress and burden on families, affecting well-being.
  • It’s critical for families to access support services.

Rehabilitation Process

  • Recovery varies; some may regain full function, others require ongoing support.
  • Recovery involves:
    • Restoration and improvement of brain function.
    • Rehabilitation begins in a medical facility and may continue at home.
    • Steps include treating immediate physical issues, then progressing to functional rehabilitation.

The Health Care Team

  • Multi-disciplinary approach essential for recovery.
  • Team includes:
    • Primary care physician, Nurse practitioners, Physiatrists, Nurses, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Speech-language pathologists.
    • Collaboration enhances recovery; family involvement is key.

The Brain Structure

  • Made up of billions of neurons, each with specific functions.
  • Divided into hemispheres; left for verbal functions, right for nonverbal tasks.
  • Major parts:
    • Frontal Lobe - emotional control, movement.
    • Parietal Lobe - sensory perception.
    • Occipital Lobe - vision.
    • Temporal Lobe - auditory information.

Types of Acquired Brain Injuries

  • Traumatic vs. Non-traumatic:
    • Traumatic: physical impact (e.g., falls, accidents).
    • Non-traumatic: diseases, strokes, toxins.
    • Includes conditions like cerebral edema and hemorrhage.

Common Physical Problems Post-Injury

  • Issues may include visual disturbances (like diplopia), hearing loss, memory issues, and speech difficulties (dysarthria).
  • Management involves professional evaluation and adaptive strategies.

Seizures Following Brain Injury

  • Types include generalized (grand mal) and partial seizures.
  • First aid for seizures includes protecting the person from harm, restoring their safety, and timing the duration of the seizure.
  • Medications available for managing seizures.

Cognitive Difficulties

  • Cognitive impairment varies; memory loss, attention issues, and executive function challenges are common.
  • Use the Rancho Los Amigos Scale for assessing levels of recovery.
  • Strategies for improvement:
    • Establish structured routines.
    • Use memory aids, simple instructions, and repetition.

Emotional and Social Issues

  • Personality and behavior changes can occur post-injury.
  • Anxiety and depression are common; managing emotions and social interactions is crucial.
  • Activities should be planned with clear goals for social engagement.

Life After Injury

  • Returning to daily life and independence involves gradual reintegration into family, work, and community settings.
  • Support resources and services can facilitate these transitions, offering assistance for practical and emotional needs.