Raise Awareness to Lower the Risk of Brain Injury

DVBIC A Head for the Future Banner

Few people think about traumatic brain injury (TBI) unless they have one or know someone with one. Sure, you’ve heard about people getting TBIs during deployment in a war zone. But surprisingly, the vast majority of TBIs in the military are actually diagnosed in noncombat settings such as motorcycle or car crashes, falls and sports-related incidents. Since 2000, more than 320,000 service members have been diagnosed with a TBI. And concussions — actually considered a mild form of brain injury — are the most common type.

Congress established Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) in 1992 after the first Gulf War in response to the need to treat service members with TBI. As part of their A Head for the Future initiative, DVBIC’s new website helps people recognize, recover from, and prevent TBIs. Topics include what’s considered a TBI, common causes, signs and symptoms, and resources you can go to for help.

Understanding TBI symptoms and the need to seek help quickly is important to your health and the health of those you care about. Sustaining any kind of brain injury can lead to changes in cognitive abilities and control of emotions, mobility and speech. If left untreated, a TBI can have a huge impact on how someone thinks, acts and feels. Brain injuries are treatable and recovery is possible. Check out the website at dvbic.dcoe.mil/aheadforthefuture.

Cathy McDonald is the Staff Writer for the National Center for Telehealth & Technology (T2).

The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the National Center for Telehealth & Technology, the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health & Traumatic Brain Injury, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government.

 

Read other posts by Ms. Cathy McDonald