Health Awareness

Saturday, March 1, 2014

(NAPSA)—Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—some 2.5 million occur a year—but knowing a few facts can help protect yourself and your family. Silent But Deadly A TBI is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a pene- 5 trating head injury that disrupts A blow to the head may not seem One of the most serious prob- lems is what’s knownas “talk and die syndrome.” The head injury to look for days and weekslater as you resume regular daily activity is important. behave “normally” immediately ticularly bicycling. The severity and the victim succumbs to the tended period of unconsciousness the normal function of the brain. sufferer is able to walk, talk and after, and everyone thinks he or she is just fine. Then, hourslater, headaches andirritability develop injury. What To Do That’s why it’s wise to err on the side of caution and get medical help immediately when a head injury may be involved. In addition, all concussion victims should take a complete break from cogni- tive as well as physical activity for the first three to five days, then try some light cognitive tasks and see how it goes. If headaches or dizziness come back, it’s not time to resume activity. Stay vigilant serious at first, so knowing what may range from “mild,” brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” an exor amnesia. Who Gets Hurt Men are more likely to have TBI hospitalizations than women, and children under 4 and adults over 65 are more likely than others to be hospitalized. African Americans have a higher death rate from brain injury than any other ethnic group; 25 percent higher than for the overall population. Signs and Symptoms Most people understand head- aches follow concussions, often and promptly seek medical attention if headaches reappear. The headaches may indicate a brain starting immediately after the blow to the head occurs. What thinking about a brain injury permanent and life threatening injury but no one may have been when the event occurred. Some head injury symptoms don’t show up until the person starts resum- ing everydaylife and its demands. What Causes TBI Falls are the leading reason people have headinjuries but they can also be due to slow-speed car accidents and sports injuries, par- many do not realize, however, is that these headaches can become and may not occur immediately but long after a seemingly innocu- ous incident. Learn More For further facts on handling brain injuries including whether you might need a lawyer, get a free guide at http://accidentattor neys.org.

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