Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion

A Center for Disease Control Information Overview

"A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is an injury that affects how the brain works. Anyone can experience a TBI, but data suggest that some groups are at greater risk for getting a TBI or having worse health outcomes after the injury."

A TBI may be caused by a:

Bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or
Penetrating injury (such as from a gunshot) to the head.

There are three main types of TBI:

A TBI may lead to short- or long-term health problems

Depending on the severity of the injury, those who get a TBI may face health problems that last a few days or the rest of their lives. For example, a person with a mild TBI or concussion may experience short-term symptoms and feel better within a couple of weeks or months. A person with a moderate or severe TBI may have long-term or life-long effects from the injury.

A person with a possible TBI should be seen by a healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider may have treatment to help speed your recovery.

Most people with a mild TBI or concussion can recover safely at home following a medical check-up.
People with a moderate or severe TBI may need ongoing care to help with their recovery.

A TBI during childhood may affect brain development

TBI affects children differently than adults. An injury of any severity to the developing brain may:

Disrupt a child’s development.
Limit their ability to participate in school and other activities, like sports.

As a result of a TBI, children may experience changes in their health, thinking, and behavior that affect learning, self-regulation, and social participation, all of which are important to becoming a productive adult.

TBI is a major cause of death and disability

There were over 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2020.That’s about 176 TBI-related deaths every day.

TBIs can affect the lives of people of all ages.

Anyone can experience a TBI, but data suggest that some groups are at greater risk of dying from a TBI or experiencing long-term health problems after the injury.

Examples of groups who are more likely to be affected by TBI, include:

Racial and ethnic minorities
Service members and Veterans
People who experience homelessness
People who are in correctional and detention facilities
Survivors of intimate partner violence
People living in rural areas

TBIs may be missed in older adults

Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized and die from a TBI compared to all other age groups. Still, TBIs may be missed or misdiagnosed in older adults because symptoms of TBI overlap with other medical conditions that are common among older adults, such as dementia.

Healthcare providers should check for signs and symptoms of TBI if an older adult has:

Fallen or has a fall-related injury, such as a hip fracture
Been in a car crash

This is especially important among older adults who are taking blood thinners" like anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet medications that can increase the risk for brain bleed, following a TBI, and may put someone at risk for a more severe or fatal injury.

Reference:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, March 21). Get the Facts About TBI. Retrieved September 30, 2022, from Centers for Disease Control

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