Issues With Traumatic Brain Injuries
Posted by
Joseph BernardoMarch 07, 2008 10:21 AMTraumatic Brain Injury, now frequently referred to as Post Concussive Syndrome can be a devastating injury yet
can be overlooked by health care providers and family members alike. After the initial traumatic event to the head and brain has been dealt with by health care providers, family members provide the after care. They are untrained
in recognizing or responding to the symptoms presented by the injured person.
The newer term, PCS ,is a poor fit for these very serious injuries. They are difficult to diagnose in the first place
so why reduce the alarming nature of these injuries by fostering this much weaker and banal term ? Various levels of injury, differing degrees of symptoms, and weak descriptions of a serious injury all contribute to a difficult diagnosis of Traumatic Brain Injury. Since any head trauma and/or brain injury is potentially a life long if not life threatening injury, why diminish the needed concern by using a term that doesn't aptly decribe much of anything.
Everybody can understand Traumatic Brain Injury. What does Post Concussive Syndrome mean ?
Awareness is crucial. Reducing awareness hinders the recognition of this type of injury and prevents a deserving
patient from getting complete medical care and rehabilitation to restore his or her cognitive functions. Be aware of changes in behavior or personality after an injury. Look, also, for reductions in energy level/exhaustion or sleeping more than normal. Have cognitive functions changed at all ? Can the person remember things the same way ?
What are the signs and symptoms of TBI?The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be subtle. Symptoms of a TBI may not appear until days or weeks following the injury or may even be missed as people may look fine even though they may act or feel differently.
For a list of common signs and symptoms of TBI, see Signs and Symptoms.
What are the long-term outcomes of TBI?
CDC estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans, approximately 2% of the U.S. population, currently have a long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a TBI.2
These, of course, are very general symptoms and do not always apply. They do not necessarily appear immediately after the trauma and frequently will not manifest themselves for weeks or months. The key is to recognize these changes and seek appropriate follow up medical or rehabilitative care.