A brain injury occurs after an accident in which the head suffers a blow, violent impact, or jolt, causing damage to one or more regions of the brain. This commonly happens in car or sports accidents. The injury can vary in severity, but a severe impact requires immediate hospital attention and can be fatal.

Brain injuries are classified into two types:

Penetrating injuries:

These occur when a foreign object (bullets, pipes, etc.) comes into contact with the brain, causing damage to various areas.

Closed head injuries:

These occur when the head receives a blow without any object directly penetrating the brain.

Primary brain injury:

This is the immediate damage following the blow. It can include skull fractures, lacerations, nerve damage, hematomas or blood clots, and contusions.

Secondary brain injury:

This is the damage that remains after the blow, such as brain swelling, fever, hematomas, anemia, changes in blood pressure, epilepsy, and increased intracranial pressure.

Moderate to severe brain injuries present with:

• Seizures
• Seizures
• Loss of consciousness
• Drainage of clear fluid from the nose or ears
• Difficulty waking up
• Coordination problems or loss of coordination
• Persistent vomiting or nausea
• Persistent headache, which may worsen or persist
• Tissue lacerations
• Slurred speech or slurred speech
• Disorientation
• Aggression or abnormal behavior
• Dilated pupils
• Vertigo
• Numbness or weakness in arms and legs

What are the consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Many physical problems can appear after an injury, such as headaches, seizures, vomiting or nausea, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), loss of vision or hearing, decreased sense of sight, hearing, taste, or smell, problems with body coordination, infections, paralysis or loss of sensation in the face, difficulty concentrating, and problems with memory, learning, attention, or reasoning. Another common consequence is language or communication difficulties, such as trouble understanding spoken or written words, problems speaking or writing, and difficulty continuing a conversation.

In the most severe cases, an injury can cause:

Coma:

When a person is completely unconscious.

Vegetative state:

The person can open their eyes, but is unable to move, make sounds, or have reflexes; this can be temporary or permanent.

Brain death:

There is no brain activity, so the brain cannot perform vital functions.

What should I do if a family member or friend has suffered a traumatic brain injury?

Immediate medical attention is necessary. Sometimes, brain injuries require care and rest; however, more severe cases require hospitalization and, occasionally, surgery. Care and medication instructions should be provided exclusively by specialized personnel.

Rehabilitation is commonly necessary after a brain injury, always as recommended by a doctor. In the most severe cases, it may be required to relearn how to walk, talk, or eat. The goal of therapy is to improve quality of life. It is essential to consult with medical personnel about the possible consequences and prognosis.

Therapy is multidisciplinary and varies for each case, as it must assess the severity, consequences, the affected area, and the patient's stage of recovery. Physical therapy, group therapy, and speech therapy may be combined.

For someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, the support of family and friends is crucial because it can have permanent consequences even with therapy.

A traumatic brain injury cannot be prevented; however, it is always important to be aware of the risks and know the preventive measures when engaging in activities such as driving, extreme sports, wearing a helmet when riding motorcycles or bicycles, and, in the case of young children, being careful to prevent falls.

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