Traumatic brain injury and treatment

Head Injury happens when your headhitsthe windshield, the flooror some other object. Injury to the head or brain can also occur without direct impact to the head, as in severe "whiplash." The compression, twisting, and distortion of the brain inside the skull associated with this impact or violent movement has the potential to cause localized as well as widespread physical damage and electrochemical disruption throughout the brain.

What is more, damage is often sustained to bone, muscle, and vertebral tissues of the cranial (skull and scalp) and cervical (neck and shoulder) structures. Thus, head injury is the general term that refers to potential injury involving the complex of cerebral, cranial, and cervical structures. Mild head injury, specifically, refers to trauma that results in no loss of consciousness, or only brief loss of consciousness, typically less than five minutes.

Post-concussion syndrome usually involved symptoms stemming collectively from injury to the cerebral, cranial, and cervical areas.

Common symptoms of post-concussion include:

• Headache and other pain
• Dizziness or light headedness
• Memory and concentration difficulty
• Amnesia,
• Sleep disturbance,
• Frustration and irritability,
• Periods of confusion or mental dullness,
• Emotional and behavioral changes,
• Loss of self confidence,
• Fatigue and weakness,
• Tinnitus or ringing in the ears,
• Visual distortions,
• Slow reaction time.

Many symptoms weaken or diminish altogether over time - often within 12 to 18 months from the injury. Usually, there are no abnormalities on routine exam and traumatic brain injury is often an overlooked or under-diagnosed problem.

The neuropsychologist performs a comprehensive evaluation and reviews developmental and medical history, diagnostic test results, successful and unsuccessful treatments, and emotional reactions in order to fully understand the complex sequale involved in head injury. This understanding, complex as it usually is, forms the basis for predicting, prescribing, and achieving optimum clinical resolution.

A neuropsychologist will fully evaluate the patient’s impairments, disabilities and probability of recovery. Additionally, a course of appropriate treatments will be determined, helping patients and their families build the right team of medical professionals necessary for rehabilitation and chronic TBI treatment.

Traumatic brain injury causes a number of serious complications that typically require both immediate and ongoing, long-term treatment. While the first stages of treatment for TBI involve sustaining life and preventing further injury, chronic care requires a combination of rehabilitation programs and assistive technologies.

Emergency care for moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries focuses on making sure the person has an adequate oxygen and blood supply, maintaining blood pressure, and preventing any further injury to the head or neck. Additional treatments in the emergency room or intensive care unit of a hospital will focus on minimizing secondary damage due to inflammation, bleeding or reduced oxygen supply to the brain.

Dr. Kristjan Olafsson, is a famous neuropsychologist and also providing neuropsychological services. He has been providing traumatic brain injury.