As the conflicts in the Middle East continue, the number of returning servicemen and women suffering with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is on the rise.
While the physical injuries sustained as a result of trauma are usually readily apparent, a brain injury may not always be immediately identifiable. Brain injury does not always result in long-term impairment or permanent disability. The location of the injury and its severity each play a significant role in the affected person’s outcome.
Symptoms that occur weeks, months and occasionally years after a concussion are often referred to as postconcussive syndrome, or PCS. These symptoms are usually the result of a forceful motion of the head or impact that causes a brief change in the injured person’s mental status, creating confusion, disorientation or memory loss.
According to the
Traumatic Brain Injury web site, brain injuries are usually classified as mild or severe.
Mild TBI is the most common form and is often overlooked at the time of the injury. A TBI is considered mild if a person experiences a loss of consciousness and/or confusion and disorientation for less than 30 minutes.
Symptoms associated with mild TBI include:
A severe TBI is one with loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes and memory loss following the injury, or a penetrating skull injury, for longer than 24 hours. Symptoms associated with severe TBI include:
Early recognition, early diagnosis, rehabilitation and treatment are the keys to successful recovery for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Addressing the behavioral health issues associated with TBI also is an integral part of the total recovery process. Visit the
Traumatic Brain Injury section to learn more.
