No one wants to ever see a loved one suffer, especially with an injury that is long-term and affects all aspects of one’s life. A traumatic brain injury is one such injury that can have devastating lifelong effects on a person and cause changes physically, emotionally, and cognitively. If your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may feel hopeless and helpless, but you should know that you are not alone and that there is help available to you and your family during this very difficult time.

Traumatic brain injuries affect almost 1.5 million people in the United States each year. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating event that occurs as the result of some form of physical trauma to the brain and can have life-long effects for not only the victim but their family and friends as well.

An acquired brain injury is the result of internal factors such as a stroke or loss of oxygen to the brain. There is no external force involved. TBI’s are the result of damage to the brain due to external factors such as being hit in the head, a car accident, a puncture wound, etc. Car accidents account for almost 20 percent of TBI’s.

TBI’s should be taken very seriously. Although the initial injury cannot be reversed, medical attention should be sought immediately to try and prevent further damage from occurring.

Symptoms of a TBI include:

· A headache that continues to get worse

· Confusion

· Slurred speech

· Behavioral changes

· Ringing in the ears

· Blurred vision

· Vomiting or nausea

· Numbness in outer extremities

· Seizures

· Dilated pupils

Treatment for TBI’s varies depending upon the type of injury sustained. Treatment can include a wide range of options such as controlling blood pressure, ensuring adequate oxygen is reaching the brain, getting rest, stabilizing the head and neck, surgery, and rehabilitation to regain lost speech and/or motor skills that may have occurred. Often psychiatric treatment is required as well due to the emotional effects a TBI can have on a person. Recovery after a TBI can be a slow process.

If a member of your family or one of your friends has sustained a TBI it is important to be patient as they go through what can be an extremely difficult recovery.