|
Traumatic
brain injury is sudden physical damage
to the brain. The head forcefully
hitting an object, a closed head injury,
may cause the damage or by something
passing through the skull and piercing
the brain, like a gunshot wound, penetrating
head injury. The major cause of traumatic
brain injury is from motor vehicle
accidents. Other causes include falls,
sports injuries, violent crimes, and
child abuse.
Physical, behavioral,
or mental changes are dependent upon
which areas of the brain are injured.
Most often focal brain damage is done,
which is damage confined to just a
small area of the brain. This point
is usually where the head has hit
an object. Closed head injuries often
times causes scattered brain injuries
or damage to other areas of the brain.
Diffuse damage is the result of an
impact causing the brain to move back
and forth against the skull. Frontal
and temporal lobes, responsible for
speech and language, are often the
most affected because they sit in
the areas of the skull that allows
more room for the brain to shift and
sustain injury. Speech and language
is therefore affected, as well as
voice, swallowing, walking, balancing,
and coordination difficulties and
changes in the ability to smell and
in memory and cognitive skills.
The Effects of Traumatic
Brain Injury
The effects of the
brain damage are generally greatest
immediately following the injury.
However, long-term problems are difficult
to assess because some damage may
be caused by contusion, bruising of
the brain that is usually temporary.
Focal damage may result in long-term
and permanent difficulties. Other
areas of the brain can learn to take
over the functions of the damaged
areas over time and can improve the
condition. When a traumatic brain
injury occurs in a child they may
progress better than an adult because
their brain has a greater capability
to be flexible.
The brain stem regulates
basic arousal and regulatory functions,
as well as being involved in attention
and short-term memory. When a traumatic
brain injury occurs and affects this
area disorientation, frustration and
anger can result. In moderate to severe
injuries swelling can cause pressure
on the brainstem. Consciousness or
wakefulness can be affected so a person
may fall into a coma.
Higher up in the
brain, than the brain stem, is the
limbic system, which helps regulate
emotions. The temporal lobes are connected
to the limbic system and are involved
in many different cognitive skills,
including memory and language. Behavioral
disorders have resulted from damage
to the temporal lobes, or seizures
in this area. Almost always, the frontal
lobe is injured in traumatic brain
injuries because it is so large in
size and is located near the front
of the cranium. The frontal lobe is
considered the emotional and personality
control center, as well as many cognitive
functions. Damage to the frontal lobe
can lead to decreased judgment and
increased impulsivity.
Traumatic brain injury
can cause cognitive impairments, like
trouble concentrating, trouble organizing
thoughts, and becoming easily confused
or forgetful, may occur in conscious
people. Learning new information may
be difficult and interpreting actions
of others will lead to social problems,
like making inappropriate statements.
Problem solving, decision-making,
and planning could be difficult as
well as judgment.
Language issues like
articulating words and forming sentences
may become difficult after TBI. Frustration
and anger can be directed at the other
person because of the difficulties
a person with TBI can experience when
trying to carry on a conversation
or others may not even be aware of
their errors. Reading and writing
becomes a problem also. Mathematical
abilities, simple or complex, are
also often affected.
A traumatic brain
injury can cause conditions, such
as dysarthia, which starts to slow,
slur, and make speech difficult to
understand if the speech mechanism
muscles become damaged. Swallowing
can become problematic brought on
by dysphagia, and a condition called
apraxia can make repeating words in
a consistent manner difficult.
If you would like
a FREE confidential consultation with
one of our experienced personal injury
lawyers,
CLICK HERE
! !
|
