When a severe blow to the head occurs, the brain hits against the skull, and the impact can result in a brain injury. Two leading causes of traumatic brain injury (TBIs) are falls and automobile accidents. A concussion is the most typical type of TBI; therefore, take precautions to reduce your risk of TBI-causing accidents. An auto accident doctor in Greenville will help you when you or a loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury.
Many treatments can help a person recover from TBI, which may also reduce or resolve some of the physical, emotional, and cognitive problems associated with the wound. The type, location, and duration of the treatment will depend on the extent of the damage and the area of the brain.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disturbance of the brain’s normal function caused by a blow, bump, or jolt to the head. It may also be caused by the head violently hitting something or by an object piercing the skull and entering the brain tissue. The injury may be non-penetrating, like being stuck in the head in a car accident, or penetrating, like a gunshot wound.
Any of the following clinical symptoms indicate a change from how the brain functions typically:
- Diminished or lost consciousness
- Memory loss for the events before and after the incident (amnesia)
- Focal neurological impairments, including muscular weakness, visual loss, and speech changes
- Change in mental states, such as confusion, sluggish thinking, or trouble focusing
Depending on how much of the brain has been harmed, TBI symptoms can range from mild to severe. While many TBI victims recover within a few days, more severe cases might result in death or irreversible brain damage.
Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury
The degree of the injury determines the course of treatment. People with mild to moderate TBIs may only need basic treatment. Your care may involve a small period of rest from sports, school, or work. In a few weeks, symptoms should improve.
For severe TBI, people often need in-patient care and more intense medications. Below, we discuss the different treatment options.
Rest
Rest is sometimes all that is needed to cure mild TBI. However, it’s vital to adhere to the advice of an auto accident doctor in Greenville regarding complete rest and a gradual return to normal activities following a mild TBI. The recovery process could take much longer if you return to regular activities too soon and start experiencing TBI symptoms.
Even if they are not physically demanding, some activities, such as working on a computer and paying close attention, can wear out the brain. Therefore, limit these activities to let your brain rest. Alcohol and other drugs can also hinder recovery and raise reinjury risk. Re-injury during the healing process can impair recovery and increase the risk of long-term issues, such as severe brain damage and even death.
Immediate Emergency Care
Emergency care for moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries focuses on ensuring you have enough oxygen and an adequate blood supply, maintaining blood pressure, and preventing further damage to the head or neck.
Also, you might have other injuries that must be addressed. As a result, additional treatments in the emergency room or intensive care unit focus on minimizing secondary damage due to inflammation, bleeding, or reduced oxygen supply to the brain.
Medications
Medications to limit secondary brain damage immediately after an injury may include:
- Anti-anxiety drug helps relieve anxiety and fear
- Anticoagulants to stop blood clots and improve blood flow
- Anti-epileptic drugs to help prevent seizures
- Antidepressants are used to treat the symptoms of depression and mood swings
- Diuretics assist in removing fluid from the body that could raise intracranial pressure
- Muscular relaxants help ease constricted muscles and lessen muscle spasms
- Stimulants that promote alertness and focus
Surgery
Emergency surgery might be necessary to prevent further harm to the brain’s tissues. A doctor can resolve the following cases through surgery:
- Removing Clots (Hematoma): Large regions of clotted blood, sometimes known as hematomas, can result from bleeding in the brain or space between the brain and skull. The pressure from these pockets of clotted or pooling blood can harm brain cells.
- Repairing Skull Fractures: The healing process for the skull and associated tissues can be hastened by repairing severe skull fractures or clearing the brain area of skull fragments or other debris.
- Bleeding in the Brain: Surgery may be required to stop the bleeding in the brain after head injuries.
- Opening the Skull’s Window: Surgery may be performed to reduce pressure inside the head by emptying collected cerebrospinal fluid or making a window in the skull to allow more significant space for swelling tissues.
Rehabilitation
The majority of those who have suffered severe brain injuries will need rehabilitation. In addition, relearning basic abilities like walking and speech might be necessary. The goal is to improve your capacity to carry out daily duties.
Typically, therapy starts in the hospital and continues there or in a residential treatment center, an inpatient rehabilitation unit, or outpatient care. Depending on the severity of the brain injury and the area of the brain harmed, you may require different therapy.
The following are the types of rehabilitation specialists you may need:
- Physiatrist: A physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist known as a “physiatrist” oversees the entire rehabilitation process, handles any medical issues that may arise, and provides medication when necessary.
- Occupational Therapists: They aid patients in acquiring, revising, or improving daily living abilities.
- Physical Therapists: A physical therapist assists with walking, balance, and mobility by helping patients develop new movement patterns.
- Speech Pathologist: These specialists assist the patient in smoothing their communication abilities and, if necessary, use assistive technology.
- Neuropsychologist: A neuropsychologist helps manage behaviors or learning coping mechanisms and provides psychotherapy for emotional and psychological well-being. They can also assess cognitive impairment and performance.
- Rehabilitation Nurse: They assist with discharge planning from a hospital or rehabilitation facility and provide continuous rehabilitation care and services.
- Traumatic Brain Injury Nurse: A TBI nurse is an expert who assists with care coordination and informs the family about the damage and healing process.
- Recreational Therapists: They specialize in recreational activities and time management.
What Can an Auto Accident Doctor Do for You?
An auto accident doctor at the Carolina Spine and Pain Center is here to help you when you or a loved one sustain a traumatic brain injury from an accident. We are the best auto accident injury treatment in Greenville. Also, we provide personalized treatment that is affordable and guaranteed to help you with your pain. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
