Dementia Answers: What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

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Video Transcript [Answer 1088]

Welcome, and thank you for joining me.

Today we're talking about Traumatic Brain Injury, often called TBI.

A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden hard bump, blow, or jolt to the head causes the brain to move inside the skull. Brain surgeons tell us that your brain has the same consistency and firmness as bean curd, also known as tofu. So you can imagine that the soft structure of the brain knocking against the hard skull that surrounds it might lead to some unpleasant outcomes. Also, without advanced testing, and unlike a broken leg in a cast, this type of injury is nearly impossible to see in the traditional sense. So for many people, it's a hidden condition that is not easily understood.

TBI may lead to neuroinflammation of the brain tissue, damage brain cells, and affect how a person thinks, feels, behaves, or moves. TBI can happen from falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or being hit in the head. Some injuries are mild, like a concussion, and others can be more serious, leading to long-term problems. In addition, some TBIs are severe one-time events, while others are mild but repeated over time.

Signs of a TBI can include confusion, headaches, memory loss, dizziness, mood changes, or trouble speaking. Some symptoms show up right away, but others might appear days or weeks later. For older adults, a TBI can be especially risky.

Falls are the most common cause. Even a mild injury can affect thinking, balance, and daily life. It may also increase the risk of developing conditions that express themselves as Dementia later on.

If someone has a head injury, it's essential to see a doctor right away, even if they seem okay at first. Rest, follow-up care, and sometimes physical or speech therapy may be needed to help heal the brain.

To help prevent TBI, make the home safer by removing tripping hazards, using grab bars in the bathroom, and wearing shoes with a good grip. Looking both ways at intersections when driving, wearing seat belts and helmets when participating in sports or biking, also helps protect the brain.

On behalf of the Dementia Society of America®, thank you again for joining me today. Stay informed, stay healthy, and take care of yourself.

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