What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function o f the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild”, i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe”, i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.

What causes TBI?
The leading causes of TBI are:

• Falls
• Motor vehicles-traffic crashes
• Assaults
• Bullets, fragments, blasts

Who is at highest risk for TBI?

• Males are about 1.5 times as likely as females to sustain a TBI
• Military duties increase the risk of sustaining a TBI

*If you think you have sustained a TBI, seek medical care right away.*

Signs and Symptoms of mild TBI or Concussion

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue (tiredness)
• Concentration problems
• Irritability
• Sleep problems
• Balance problems
• Ringing in the ears
• Vision changes
• Forgetting things (memory problems)

Recovery from TBI

• Get plenty of sleep at night, and don’t over exert yourself during the day.
• Return to normal activities gradually, not all at once.
• Until you are better, avoid activities that can lead to a 2^nd brain injury. Remember to use helmets and seat belts to decrease your risk of having a 2^nd brain injury.
• Do not drink alcohol; it may slow your brain recovery and puts you at further risk of injury.
• If it is harder to remember things, write them down.
• If you find you are losing important items, begin putting them in the same place all the time. Park in the same place so you can find your car.
• If you are easily distracted or having difficulty concentrating, try doing only one thing at a time in a quiet, non-distracting environment.
• If you feel irritable, then remove yourself from the situation that is irritating you or use. relaxation techniques to help manage the situation. Irritably is worse when you are tired, so rest will help.
• Be patient! Healing from a brain injury takes time.
• Keep your brain active by doing activities that require strategies and fine motor skills: such as crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument, drawing, writing, painting, playing cards or board games.

Symptoms of mild TBI or concussion often resolve within hours to days and almost always improve over 1-3 months. However if symptoms persist and do not improve, medical treatment should be sought.

If these symptoms continue follow-up with your primary care medical provider:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Excessive fatigue/sleep problems
• Concentration problems
• Forgetting things
• Clumsiness
• Slowness
• Irritability
• Vision problems
• Ringing in the ears

Helpful Information

Fort Bragg Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
1-910-497-5900

Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center
1-800-870-9244 Website *

Brain Injury Association of America
1-800-444-6443 Website *

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1-800-311-3435 Website *


References
CDC Fact Sheet 3/05 www.cdc.gov-Ponsfrod, J. (2004). Information about Mild Head Injury or Concussion; Warden, D. Traumatic Brain Injury Guide Patients and Families; Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center