Whether it’s an accident, a sports injury, or the result of an explosion, brain injuries are always tragic. But thankfully, there are a variety of treatments and recovery plans that can help get patients back on their feet.
Sports injuries
Whether you’re playing sports or just watching them, traumatic brain injuries are a major concern for the medical community. They’re caused by falls, collisions, and overexertion. They can lead to permanent brain damage and even death.
The most common types of sports injuries are head injuries, which can vary in severity. They range from mild physical trauma to a brain hemorrhage. Depending on the type of injury, you can expect to have symptoms for up to three months.
Athletes can avoid the most serious brain injuries by implementing safety-promoting rules. They can also decrease the risk of head injuries by using protective gear and neck conditioning.
The most common types of sports injuries are caused by collisions, overexertion, and falls. They can result in bleeding in the brain, coma, or death.
Explosive blasts
Physicists and engineers are currently trying to break down the nuances of blast injury through computational models. But, there are still many variables that the research community must consider.
In addition to understanding the mechanisms of blast injury, the research community also needs to evaluate preexisting medical conditions. These factors are crucial to determining the long-term effects of blast-induced TBI.
Animal models are invaluable in the study of blast-induced TBI. The common models are mice, rats, and non-human primates. These animal models are commonly used due to their tractability and cost-effectiveness. These models are also genetically modified to study the role of genes in blast-related pathology.
Several biomarkers can be used to track neurophysiological changes after a low-level blast. These biomarkers include neuroimaging findings, such as concussion, post-traumatic stress disorder, and brain atrophy.
Diffuse axonal injuries
Unlike other types of brain injury, diffuse axonal injury is a type of head injury that is difficult to detect on initial imaging scans. The most common cause of diffuse axonal injury is a high-speed motor vehicle accident. Symptoms may appear years after the injury and may not be apparent until a patient is diagnosed.
Diffuse axonal injury is a severe form of brain injury that can lead to loss of consciousness and long-term neuropsychological impairment. DAI is often associated with a poor clinical outcome. Fortunately, a multidisciplinary team of doctors can help patients with diffuse axonal injury recover. They may include a physician, brain injury specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, counselors, and nurses.
The multidisciplinary team will develop an individualized recovery plan to meet the needs of the patient. The plan may include physical and occupational therapy, medications, and psychological adjustments.
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Approximately 10 to 14 people per year are affected by subarachnoid hemorrhage. This type of brain bleed is caused by traumatic head injury or ruptured brain aneurysm. The mortality rate of patients with aSAH is 50% and more than a third of patients are unable to return to normal functioning. This leads to a high socioeconomic cost.
There is a lack of knowledge about the cause of SAH and this leads to poor prognosis. Therefore, the goal of this study was to explore the impact of early brain injury on the clinical outcome of patients with SAH. The findings may improve the management of patients with aneurysm rupture.
The clinical definition of early brain injury encompasses the initial clinical symptoms, neuroimaging findings and metabolic distress. A combination of these factors is thought to contribute to the morbidity and mortality of patients with SAH.
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
Symptoms of CTE are degenerative changes in the brain, and can occur years or decades after a head injury. They may start off as minor cognitive or behavioral problems, such as difficulty with balance or memory. They may then progress to dementia. Some of the cognitive symptoms can be treated with certain medications. These medications may also help with behavioral symptoms.
CTE symptoms are similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. They may cause behavioral changes, including impulsiveness, depression, or aggressiveness. They may also affect the ability to think and organize thoughts. They can also lead to alcohol abuse or suicide.
There are four stages of CTE, which are based on the type of tau pathology found in the brain. In the early stages, symptoms include cognitive difficulties, such as impulsivity or behavioral problems, such as aggression. The symptoms can get worse over time. The disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can affect people of any age.
