TBIs result from a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or from a penetrating head injury. Explosive blasts can also cause TBIs; this is a particular concern among those who serve in the military. Essentially, any external force that causes the brain to move within the head can disrupt normal brain function, leading to loss of consciousness, or being dazed and confused. Military service members and veterans of recent conflicts and combat are a population of special concern. Since September 11, 2001, the U.S. has deployed more than 2.7 million men and women to support combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.9 According to the Department of Defense’s evaluation of U.S. military casualty statistics: Further, military personnel with a history of mild TBI are at an increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress (PTS).3,11 Among U.S. Army infantry soldiers returning from Iraq, 43.9% of those who reported a TBI with loss of consciousness also reported symptoms of PTS. In 2014, TBIs accounted for approximately 2.5 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the US.3 Of these, approximately: However, these numbers grossly underestimate the true occurrence of TBI: they do not include those who received no care, or received care at another type of medical facility. TBI is involved in nearly half of all trauma deaths and one-third of all injury-related deaths. Every day, 153 people in the US die from injuries that include TBI.3,4 Symptoms: Cognitive impairment is the hallmark of TBI; however, physical, sensory, and cognitive symptoms emerge in even mild TBI, and are progressively worse in moderate-to-severe injury. 14 TBIs can lead to a spectrum of secondary conditions that might result in long-term impairment, functional limitation, disability, and reduced quality of life.2 Diagnosis: Classification of TBI based on patterns and types of injury is important to ensure proper treatment and long-term therapy. However, the complexity of TBI and limitations of available assessment tools make this challenging.3 Treatment: Many stakeholders are involved in the continuum of care for moderate to severe TBI.5 More effective diagnostic, rehabilitation, and treatment strategies are needed to mitigate the negative health impact of TBI. Moving forward, various types of predictive and diagnostic tests have been envisioned for TBI to better assess premorbid risk factors, provide prognostic indicators at the TBI event, and predict treatment response and disease progression. Traumatic Brain Injury on Wikipedia Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Traumatic Brain InjuryWhat Is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Clinical Signs of Alteration in Brain Function3
TBI in Veterans: a Population of Special Concern3
TBI is a Leading Cause of Death and Disability in the United States12
TBI Disrupts Normal Functioning of the Brain, and Has a Broad Spectrum of Symptoms and Disabilities3,5
Unmet Needs Exist in the Diagnosis and Treatment of TBI
Further Reading – Suggested TBI Resources
References