Did you know that a concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury? In fact, concussions are the most common type of traumatic brain injury, and you can sustain a concussion from a car accident, playing sports, or hitting your head. When it comes to traumatic brain injury treatment, you will first need comprehensive testing in order to effectively diagnose your TBI and determine the most appropriate care you need. If you recently suffered a blow to the head, whether due to a car accident, playing a sport, or another type of accident, then you want to get checked out right away. Concussions and traumatic brain injuries can lead to lasting negative health effects if not treated properly and as soon as possible. Timely TBI treatment is essential to your health and for your recovery.
What Can Cause a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury refers to anything that disrupts the normal, healthy functioning of your brain. The most common causes of a traumatic brain injury include bumping your head, a strong blow to the head, or your head and neck getting jolted around. Penetrating head injuries can also lead to a traumatic brain injury. The most common type of TBI is a concussion, and these are common with car accidents, contact sports, and unintentional falls. The sudden force of impact from a car accident can cause you to hit your head on part of the vehicle. Contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer are more commonly associated with head injuries like a TBI. Slip-and-fall accidents can also cause a concussion or TBI if you hit your head.
Evaluation for a Traumatic Brain Injury
Anyone who has suffered a blow to the head, especially in an emergency situation like a car accident or sports accident, should undergo evaluation for a potential traumatic brain injury. You may also choose to get an evaluation for a TBI or concussion after an unintentional fall or due to a workplace incident to help give you better peace of mind after bumping your head. An evaluation for a TBI will typically include a brain scan and tests to help measure brain activity and responsiveness. For example, an electroencephalogram, often referred to as an EEG, is a type of brain scan that tests for electrical activity in your brain. Your doctor may also want to review your reaction time, mental processing, and memory capacity. These evaluations and tests help your doctor determine the most appropriate diagnosis for your head injury so that you can get the right type of treatment and care.
3 Most Common Traumatic Brain Injury Treatments
Once your doctor has determined a TBI diagnosis, they can provide you with the best treatment possible. Here are three of the most common treatment options for traumatic brain injuries:
Emergency Treatment
You may seek emergency care for a car accident or acute injury suffered while playing a sport or due to a fall. Emergency treatment for a TBI may include running diagnostic imaging tests to visualize any potential damage to the brain and identify whether there is bleeding in the brain. Emergency treatment for a TBI is most common for a moderate to severe TBI or concussion and focuses on making sure you have the oxygen and blood supply necessary to function properly. In some cases, you may also have other injuries that also need to be taken care of by a medical professional as soon as possible.
General Pain Management
For a mild to moderate traumatic brain injury, you may be able to receive general pain management and monitoring. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate form of treatment and when you will be able to regain regular activities like going back to school or work. Traumatic brain injuries typically cause headaches, so your doctor may recommend over-the-counter painkillers. If you have a mild TBI, then you may also want to temporarily reduce bright lights, avoid using cell phone or laptop screens, and avoid certain activities that make you more susceptible to injury.
Neuro-Cognitive Therapy
Depending on the severity of your traumatic brain injury, your doctor may also recommend neuro-cognitive therapy as part of your treatment. Neuro-cognitive therapy can help you work through any cognitive impairments or performance issues related to the injury.
Visit Pro-Care Medical Centers to learn more about how our team of doctors can help you recover from a traumatic brain injury.
