Traumatic Brain Injuries Chapter 7

Traumatic Brain Injuries Head injuries are a leading cause of accidental death in the United States Damage is caused not only by injury but also by the effect of the brain ricocheting off the sides of the skull – Shaken Baby Syndrome is a good example – NEVER shake a baby!

Concussion Occurs when brain injury is slight Patient feels dizzy, ‘see stars,’ or lose consciousness briefly No permanent brain damage occurs

Contusion Results in brain tissue destruction Severe brain stem contusions always result in a coma lasting from hours to a lifetime If the injury occurs in the cerebral cortex, the individual may remain conscious but possible lose some brain function.

Intracranial hemorrhage Bleeding from ruptured vessels

Cerebral edema/Hematoma Swelling of the brain due to inflammation caused by the injury Swelling or hemorrhage both compress vital brain tissue which can lead to death

Cerebrovascular Accidents 3 rd leading cause of death in the US Occurs when blood circulation to a brain area is blocked (by a blood clot or a ruptured blood vessel) The vital brain tissue dies Can be diagnosed by observing the patient’s symptoms

Hemiplegia If the patient’s left-side is paralyzed, then the right motor cortex of the frontal lobes is probably involved.

Aphasias Occurs from damage to the left cerebral hemisphere where the language areas are located. Maddening to the victims because usually their intellect is unaffected. Can change a person’s personality, too – Motor aphasia: lose ability to speak – Sensory aphasia: loses the ability to understand written or spoken language

Life after Cerebrovascular Accidents Fewer than a third are alive three years later. However, some survive because they recover at least part of their lost faculties. Occurs because undamaged neurons spread into areas where neurons have died and take over some lost functions. This is a phenomenon.

Transient Ischemic Attack These are considered incomplete strokes. They restrict blood flow to parts of the brain. They last from 5 to 50 minutes Characterized by symptoms like – numbness – temporary paralysis – impaired speech Effects not permanent but are ‘red flags’ that warn for a future, more serious brain attack