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TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES - Coggle Diagram
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES
DEFINITION
- TBI means the brain is damaged because of an outside force (like hitting the head or being pierced by an object).
- It can cause loss of consciousness (faint), memory loss, confusion or brain changes seen on scans.
- TBI can be mild, moderate or severe.
TYPES OF TBI DAMAGE
- FOCAL (one area): Example, direct blow, fracture or bleeding in one spot.
- DIFFUSE (many area): Brain fibers are torn (diffuse axonal injury)
- CLOSED INJURY : Head hits something but skull is not broken
- OPEN INJURY: An object enters the skull and brain
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Concussion
- a mild brain injury from a hit or sudden movement. - Symptoms: headache, dizziness, blurred vision, memory problems.
- Rest is the best treatment, but symptoms can last days to months.
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ETIOLOGY
- Traumatic: Falls, motor accidents, sports, violence, explosions.
- Non-traumatic: stroke, infections, tumors, lack of oxygen, poisoning, substance abuse.
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- Brain can be bruised (contusion), swollen, or bleeding inside.
- injury can damage axons (nerve fibers) and blood vessels
- can cause hematomas (blood collections) or hydrocephalus (fluid build-up)
CLINICAL FEATURES
PYHSICAL
- Abnormal rigid posture (decorticate, decerebrate) - weak muscles, poor balance, ataxia (uncoordinated movement) - Spasticity, abnormal reflexes, limited movement - Sensation problems (pains, touch, temperature)
COGNITIVE
- Poor attention, memory loss - Trouble starting or finishing tasks - Poor judgement, planning, or problem-solving
PSYCHOSOSIAL
- Depression, emotional changes - Trouble with social roles and independence - Confusion about identity
VISION
- Blurry vision, eye movement problems, double vision, field loss
PERCEPTION
- Difficulty recognizing objects, body neglect, apraxia (trouble planning movement), speech/ language issues
LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS
- Glassgow Coma Scale (GCS) : Checks eyes, speech, and movement
- Rancho Los Amigos Scale (RLAS): measures cognitive recovery in 8 levels ( from no response to purposeful and appropriate)
- Post-Traumatic Amnesia (PTA): measures memory loss after injury. Longer PTA = worse outcome