Brain Injury Facts

Signs and symptoms may include:

- Fatigue	- Memory problems
- Trouble problem solving	- Difficulty finding words
- Irritability	- Difficulty making decisions
- Inability to concentrate	- Personality changes
- Trouble organizing thoughts	- Easily confused

Types of Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the head caused by an external physical force. Most traumatic brain injuries are caused by accidents or assaults to the skull that are sufficiently hard to cause the brain to move within the skull or to cause the skull to break and directly injure the brain. TBI may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness and an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It may also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning. The damage can be focal, confined to one area of the brain, or diffuse, involving more than one area of the brain.

Causes of TBI include:

- Domestic violence and assaults
- Falls
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Shaken baby syndrome
- Sports and recreational accidents

An acquired or non-traumatic brain injury (ABI) refers to any type of brain damage occurring after birth that is not hereditary, congenital, degenerative, or the result of an external impact. Acquired brain injury takes place at the cellular level of the brain and may result in mild, moderate, or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, physical functions, and psycho-social behavior.

Causes of ABI or non-traumatic brain injury include:

- Brain tumors, intracranial tumors, intracranial surgery
- Excessive drug and alcohol abuse
- Lack of oxygen caused by an airway obstruction, such as in near-drowning
- Seizure disorder
- Stroke or aneurysm

For more information and resources, contact the I&R Department:

1-800-242-0030 or 1-508-475-0032

info@biama.org