Los Angeles Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury: The What, Why and Wherefore of TBI
Among injuries that occur in Los Angeles, accidents that result in brain injury are some of the most detrimental to an individual's health and functionality in every day life. The brain is the largest and most important organ in the body. While the skull is designed to protect it, millions of Americans each year suffer injuries that lead to brain damage. Called “traumatic brain injury”, or TBI, more than half of the injuries sustained each year are severe enough that they warrant hospitalization. What is TBI and who is most at risk for these frightening injuries? Actually, TBI can affect anyone, although children and elderly adults are the most at risk. There’s a great deal to understand here, though.
What Is TBI?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH), traumatic brain injury is, “a form of acquired brain injury that occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.”
The Mayo Clinic elaborates on this. “Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.”
A very broad range of things can lead to TBI, including auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, violent altercations, bicycle accidents, gunshot wounds, skateboarding accidents and many more.
According to the CDC, traumatic brain injuries are very common with sports, particularly soccer and football. However, baseball, lacrosse and hockey players are also at significant risk. Conversely, an estimated 20% of TBI cases each year relate directly to violence. These cases include gunshot wounds, but also child abuse (including shaken baby syndrome), and domestic violence. As frightening as it might seem, even some very simple-seeming incidents can lead to a TBI. For instance, falling out of bed and hitting the head on the floor can cause an injury. Falling down ladders, steps or simply slipping on the streets of L.A. are also leading causes of TBIs.
Those at Risk
While anyone can suffer a traumatic brain injury, there are several specific groups of people who are at higher risk than others. For instance, children from birth to about four years of age are at great risk, both from accident and from violence. Young adults aged 15 to 24 years of age are also at risk (vehicle accident, sports accidents, etc.). Finally, adults 75 years of age or older are also at high risk for a traumatic brain injury stemming from a fall.
Among injuries that occur in Los Angeles, accidents that result in brain injury are some of the most detrimental to an individual's health and functionality in every day life. The brain is the largest and most important organ in the body. While the skull is designed to protect it, millions of Americans each year suffer injuries that lead to brain damage. Called “traumatic brain injury”, or TBI, more than half of the injuries sustained each year are severe enough that they warrant hospitalization. What is TBI and who is most at risk for these frightening injuries? Actually, TBI can affect anyone, although children and elderly adults are the most at risk. There’s a great deal to understand here, though.
What Is TBI?
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH), traumatic brain injury is, “a form of acquired brain injury that occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.”
The Mayo Clinic elaborates on this. “Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. Traumatic brain injury usually results from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body. An object penetrating the skull, such as a bullet or shattered piece of skull, also can cause traumatic brain injury.”
A very broad range of things can lead to TBI, including auto accidents, slip and fall accidents, violent altercations, bicycle accidents, gunshot wounds, skateboarding accidents and many more.
According to the CDC, traumatic brain injuries are very common with sports, particularly soccer and football. However, baseball, lacrosse and hockey players are also at significant risk. Conversely, an estimated 20% of TBI cases each year relate directly to violence. These cases include gunshot wounds, but also child abuse (including shaken baby syndrome), and domestic violence. As frightening as it might seem, even some very simple-seeming incidents can lead to a TBI. For instance, falling out of bed and hitting the head on the floor can cause an injury. Falling down ladders, steps or simply slipping on the streets of L.A. are also leading causes of TBIs.
Those at Risk
While anyone can suffer a traumatic brain injury, there are several specific groups of people who are at higher risk than others. For instance, children from birth to about four years of age are at great risk, both from accident and from violence. Young adults aged 15 to 24 years of age are also at risk (vehicle accident, sports accidents, etc.). Finally, adults 75 years of age or older are also at high risk for a traumatic brain injury stemming from a fall.
What are the Symptoms of TBI?
Just as there is a wide range of causes for TBI, there is also a very broad range of symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury which may present similar to symptoms of a concussion. Note that these will vary depending on the severity of the injury. The medical industry breaks symptoms down by whether the injury is mild or severe.
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Symptoms of a mild TBI can include (but are not limited to) the following:
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Symptoms of a moderate or severe TBI can include the following:
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Symptoms of TBI can present differently in children than in adults. Parents and caregivers should watch for symptoms including the following:
Diagnosing TBIs
It can be challenging to diagnose a traumatic brain injury, particularly in very young or very old patients. However, if you suspect a TBI, it is essential that you seek medical attention for the injured person immediately – time is of the essence because symptoms can worsen very quickly. The first step to diagnosing a TBI is what’s called the Glasgow Coma Scale, which consists of a series of questions. The patient will answer each question, and their answer (and their ability to answer) will be scored. In addition, information about the accident will be gathered and used to help inform the doctor’s decision.
Two types of imaging tests can also be used to help determine whether the brain sustained an injury and to what extent. A CT scan is one of the most common, and can help uncover evidence of bleeding within the brain, skull fractures, blood clots and more. An MRI can also be used to determine the extent of the damage. MRIs are generally used after stabilizing a patient, while a CT scan is used during the admittance and diagnostic procedures.
Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury
The most important step for any patient of any age is to receive medical treatment as soon as possible. Brain damage stemming from a TBI cannot be reversed, so treating the condition immediately is essential. The Betty Clooney Center is one of the leading treatment centers in Los Angeles County for TBI. Depending on the severity of the injury, a number of treatments may be administered or recommended. In the case of mild traumatic brain injury, chances are good that the doctor will recommend rest and medication to help with pain and inflammation. However, the patient should be monitored closely at home for signs that the situation is worsening. For moderate or severe brain injury, immediate emergency care is necessary to ensure proper oxygen supply to the blood and that blood pressure is maintained. Most treatments for moderate or serve TBI will focus on reducing bleeding and inflammation. Medications can include diuretics, anti-seizure medication, and in very serious cases, coma-inducing drugs.
- Change in nursing/eating habits
- Loss of interest in favorite activities/toys
- Unusual irritability
- Change in or inability to pay attention
- Sadness/depression
Diagnosing TBIs
It can be challenging to diagnose a traumatic brain injury, particularly in very young or very old patients. However, if you suspect a TBI, it is essential that you seek medical attention for the injured person immediately – time is of the essence because symptoms can worsen very quickly. The first step to diagnosing a TBI is what’s called the Glasgow Coma Scale, which consists of a series of questions. The patient will answer each question, and their answer (and their ability to answer) will be scored. In addition, information about the accident will be gathered and used to help inform the doctor’s decision.
Two types of imaging tests can also be used to help determine whether the brain sustained an injury and to what extent. A CT scan is one of the most common, and can help uncover evidence of bleeding within the brain, skull fractures, blood clots and more. An MRI can also be used to determine the extent of the damage. MRIs are generally used after stabilizing a patient, while a CT scan is used during the admittance and diagnostic procedures.
Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury
The most important step for any patient of any age is to receive medical treatment as soon as possible. Brain damage stemming from a TBI cannot be reversed, so treating the condition immediately is essential. The Betty Clooney Center is one of the leading treatment centers in Los Angeles County for TBI. Depending on the severity of the injury, a number of treatments may be administered or recommended. In the case of mild traumatic brain injury, chances are good that the doctor will recommend rest and medication to help with pain and inflammation. However, the patient should be monitored closely at home for signs that the situation is worsening. For moderate or severe brain injury, immediate emergency care is necessary to ensure proper oxygen supply to the blood and that blood pressure is maintained. Most treatments for moderate or serve TBI will focus on reducing bleeding and inflammation. Medications can include diuretics, anti-seizure medication, and in very serious cases, coma-inducing drugs.
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