Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that can occur from a bump or blow to the head, or when an object goes through the skull and enters the brain. Because the brain controls all that you do, a TBI can cause many problems thatcan affect several aspects of day-to-day life. Much will depend on the severity of the injury and what part of the brain was injured. Regardless of the type and severity of the TBI,damage to the brain occurs immediately at the time of injury. Later, a person who has suffered a TBI may develop seizures or brain swelling.

A TBI may cause one or more of the following problems. These problems can affect how a person functions in school, at work, and during everyday activities. The following will be addressed in regard to causes, symptoms, assessment, and treatment:

• Physical problems - fainting, seizures, headaches, dizziness and vomiting, problems with balance, and muscle weakness.
• Sensory problems - sensitivity to light, sound, and touch; hearing loss or ringing in the ears; changes in vision or double vision.
• Behavior changes - being more emotional or feeling anxious or angry; feeling depressed or experiencing mood swings.
• Problems with thinking skills - difficultypaying attention, recalling information, and learning new information; difficulty planning, setting goals, and problem- solving.
• Speech and language problems - problems being understood because of weak speech muscles (dysarthria) or problems controlling speech muscles (apraxia); problems understanding what others say or what you read; problems finding the words to say.
• Social communication issues - difficulty following conversational rules, like taking turns and not interrupting; difficulty understanding nonverbal cues, like when someone rolls their eyes.
• Swallowing problems - trouble chewing or coughing and choking when eating or drinking.

Highlights

• Describe the causes and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury and how these can affect aspects of diagnosis and treatment within your specific discipline
• Apply knowledge of diagnostic and therapeutic options when designing functional treatment plans for patients with a traumatic brain injury

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists