Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in the function of the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head that can result in a loss or alteration of consciousness. A TBI could also result from a penetrating injury to the head. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a traumatic brain injury.
The severity of TBI may range from mild, where a person might be briefly confused or unconsciousness for seconds up to a couple of minutes, to severe, where a person suffers an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.
Military duties increase the risk of sustaining a TBI. Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military personnel in combat. Other causes of TBI in the military are:
- Bullets, fragments
- Motor vehicle-traffic crashes
- Assaults
- Falls
Signs and Symptoms
Mild TBI
- Post-injury onset of headaches
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision or tired eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- Excessive fatigue or lethargy
- A change in sleep patterns
- Behavioral or mood changes
- Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.
A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few seconds or minutes.
In the majority of cases these symptoms resolve completely in days or weeks. However, some individuals continue to have some of these symptoms even months after the injury.
Moderate to severe TBI
After the post-injury confusion resolves, ongoing symptoms include the same type of symptoms associated with mild TBI, but are accompanied by:
- significant loss of memory, concentration, attention, and thinking problems
- emotional or personality changes
- increased confusion
- restlessness
- increased agitation
Immediate signs of a more severe TBI are longer periods of unconsciousness (coma) and post-injury confusion.
There is an increased incidence of seizures following more severe injuries, as well as physical impairments such as slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, and loss of coordination.
Is there any treatment?
Anyone who has sustained a head injury should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Initial treatment can minimize the adverse effects of the injury. The symptoms or mild TBI typically resolve with time, but symptomatic treatment of headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, or cognitive difficulties may be indicated. A more severe TBI is typically treated acutely in a comprehensive inpatient interdisciplinary rehabilitation program with speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, cognitive therapies, and psychological adjustment counseling for the patients and family members.
What is the prognosis?
Problems resulting from a TBI depend upon the severity of the injury, the location of the injury, and the age and general health of the individual. Common impairments include problems with:
- Cognition (thinking, memory and reasoning)
- Sensory problems (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell)
- Communication (talking, putting thoughts together and understanding)
- Behavior (depression, anxiety, personality changes, poor impulse control, lack of inhibition, aggression, inability to take responsibility, social inappropriateness, alcohol or drug abuse)
Family members and loved ones of TBI patients often find that personality changes and behavioral problems are the most difficult impairments to handle and accept. Therefore, it is equally important for family members and loved ones to seek help and support for themselves.
Confidential help is available
You're not alone. We're here to help. The Illinois Warrior Assistance Program is a free program for returning Veterans. Confidential assistance is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call now – 866-554-IWAP (4927).
Created by Magellan Health Services staff; reviewed by Magellan clinical staff