News

Every nine seconds in the United States, someone sustains a brain injury. Brain injury is a leading cause of death and disability and accounts for approximately 2.9 million emergency room visits every year. As part of Brain Injury Awareness Month, INTEGRIS Health answers some common questions, shares symptoms and focuses on prevention.

What is a brain injury?

Acquired brain injuries, or ABIs, cause damage to the brain as a result of internal factors such as lack of oxygen, exposure to toxins and pressure from a tumor. They are not hereditary, congenital, degenerative or caused by birth trauma.

• They can be traumatic or non-traumatic.
• Common causes are stroke, cardiac arrest, brain cancer, near drowning, aneurysm, tumor, infection and encephalitis.

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, occur when brain function is altered by an external force.

• These occur when something strikes the head or the head hits something as a result of a fall, motor vehicle accident, assault, sports-related injury, gunshot or explosive blast.
• Concussions are sometimes referred to as a mild traumatic brain injury or mTBI because they are usually not life-threatening.

Common symptoms of brain injury

The symptoms of brain injury can vary depending on the type and severity, but some common signs include:

• Physical symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea and difficulty with balance or coordination.
• Cognitive symptoms such as memory problems, confusion, difficulty concentrating or speech impairments.
• Emotional symptoms that can include irritability, mood swings, anxiety and depression.
• Sensory symptoms like blurry vision, ringing in the ears or sensitivity to light and sound.

Evaluation and treatment

Brain injuries, including concussions, are extremely serious and require immediate evaluation by a provider who has experience assessing head injuries. “Brain injury requires an interdisciplinary team versed in diagnosis and treatment for the best outcomes,” says Brent Tipton, M.D., with INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation at Southwest Medical Center.

Patients are evaluated for cognitive abilities, functional mobility skills and activities required for daily living. “In treatment of brain injury, rehabilitation teams focus on the deficits found through testing and evaluations,” says Joe Bitsko, physical therapist and certified brain injury specialist at INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Inpatient Rehabilitation Southwest.

Through a team-based approach, INTEGRIS Health offers specialized services and care with the ultimate goal of returning each patient to their best possible life. “Speech therapy focuses on improving cognitive deficits, occupational therapy works with patients on activities for daily living and cognitive tasks, and physical therapy focuses on functional mobility tasks and gait training, along with balance and coordination training,” explains Bitsko.

Brain injury prevention

The best strategy to prevent brain injury is to take steps to reduce chances.

• Live an active healthy lifestyle to maintain strength, flexibility and balance.
• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a vehicle.
• Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Always wear a helmet, or appropriate headgear, when you or your children ride a bike, motorcycle, skateboard, snowmobile, scooter, all-terrain vehicle, ride a horse or play football, baseball, softball or hockey or other contact sports. 
• Take precautions to avoid falls at home such as installing handrails and window guards, using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs, removing tripping hazards, placing nonslip mats in the bath or shower floor and ensuring proper lighting throughout your home. 
• Keep firearms unloaded and locked away in a safe.

INTEGRIS Health Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation offers both inpatient and outpatient services. Support groups are also available for brain injury patients and their caregivers. For more information, email [email protected].