Why It’s Important to Protect our Brain

Why It’s Important to Protect our Brain

May 29, 2022

Has everyone seen the movie concussion by Will Smith? If not, the short version is that a lot of football players even though they wear helmets suffer brain damage later in life. You'll see this with boxers as well.  Muhammad Ali is a great example of what happens when you injure your brain. You may not feel the impact of the brain right away, but with a brain injury it could incapacitate the rest of your life. 

What are Brain Injuries?

boxing brain

The brain is one of the most important organs in the body so if something happens to it, other organs in the body can also be affected. Brain injuries result from sudden changes to the brain, whether from an external source or an internal one.

There are two types of brain injuries: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Non-traumatic Brain Injuries (NTBI). TBIs are caused by external impacts the the brain, while NTBIs are caused by internal factors. Both can either be life-threatening or pose a minimal risk to health. Here’s a look at the different kinds of brain injuries.

 

Non-traumatic Brain Injury Types, Causes, and Treatment

NTBIs, also known as acquired brain injuries (ABIs), are actually more common than TBIs— and TBIs are pretty common. This is because NTBIs can be caused by hereditary factors, poor health habits, infectious diseases, and even by a lack of oxygen to the brain.

Aneurysms

Brain aneurysms are bulges in the blood vessels of the brain that leak or rupture, causing bleeding in the brain. It’s caused by the thinning of the artery walls, and usually (but don’t always) occur at the base of the brain. Smoking, drug use, and excessive alcohol consumption can increase your chances of having an aneurysm, and so can having high blood pressure or a family history of aneurysms. Treatments for ruptured aneurysms include surgery and flow diverters.

Brain Tumor

brain tumor

A brain tumor is a type of cancer— an abnormal growth of cells— in the brain. Brain tumors can either be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The exact cause of either type of brain tumor is unknown, but risk factors include having a family history of brain tumors and being exposed to radiation.

Meningitis

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges (membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord), and is caused by either a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection. Bacterial meningitis is the most severe type, and requires immediate medical treatment. Fungal and viral meningitis aren’t as serious as bacterial meningitis, but still requires treatment

Near-Drowning

Near-drowning is exactly what it sounds like: a person almost drowning. Suffocation still happens in a near-drowning— except the victim is rescued before they die. This means that there is still some loss of oxygen to the brain. Victims of near-drownings need immediate medical treatment, including CPR.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the flow of blood to the brain has been interrupted. Trouble speaking and raising the arms are two prominent symptoms of a stroke. Having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight, and smoking can all increase your chances of having a stroke.

Treatment depends on what type of stroke occurred and how fast medical attention is received. Some people can make a full recovery, while others may require occupational, physical, recreational, and/or speech therapy.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury Types, Causes, and Treatment

brain surgury

The most common type of external brain injury is a concussion, which is commonly referred to as mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Concussions, although mild, have the potential to become deadly if left untreated. Any sudden blows to the head should be monitored carefully and closely, even if no other symptoms are present. The most common symptoms of a concussion include:

  • Amnesia
  • Blurry vision
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Ringing in ears

Young children and older adults are at the highest risk of concussions because they’re at the highest risk of falling and hitting their heads. However, people of all ages can get a concussion, whether it’s from falling, a motor vehicle accident, injury from high-risk sports, being in combat, or even from being physically abused. Nonviolent brain injuries are usually accidental, but they can also be done to a person intentionally.

Sudden blows to the head can be very dangerous and cause more than just a concussion. These are typically more violent, intentional brain injuries known as a penetrating brain injury. This is when an object penetrates the skull and the brain, and can result in death if not treated promptly and properly— properly meaning that the penetrating object should only be removed by medical professionals. If you’ve suffered a TBI, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers.

You can limit your risk of developing NTBIs by practicing good lifestyle habits that include eating healthy, exercising, and making smart decisions about your health and safety. Accidental TBIs can also be prevented by making good safety choices, such as wearing your seatbelt when riding in or driving a car, and wearing a helmet when biking and playing high-risk sports.



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