Traumatic Brain Injury Treatment
Trauma brain injury is often caused by external inflicted trauma. This means being involved in a car crash or struck with a hard object can cause this to happen. This will affect the person's thinking and functioning and the only way to get better is with traumatic brain injury treatment.
Studies show that there are 1.5 to 2 million new cases filed annually. Although the number of fatalities has gone down due to faster emergency response and better medical facilities to treat the injured, it is not enough since some survivors have not been able to recover 100% from the accident.
A more disturbing figure is the fact that 70,000 to 90,000 patients will suffer long term loss of functioning. This means the family will have to pay thousands of dollars for treatment.
Traumatic brain injury treatment is different for each individual because the injury you have in your head is different from what the other individual has. The best to way to rehabilitate if this is still possible is by first running a few tests.
Patients that are brought in to the emergency room in many cases have to undergo surgery. There are three types namely Craniotomy, Burr Holes and Bone Flap Removal. The procedure is designed to stop the bleeding by removing whatever pressure is present that is causing the blood to clot.
Medication is also given to relieve the pain. One part of traumatic brain injury treatment is fluid restriction because liquids that the body receives will just be absorbed by the brain like a sponge which defeats the purpose of easing the swelling.
During recuperation, the head and the neck should be slightly elevated to decrease the amount of blood flowing to the brain. This should be left in this matter until the doctor sees it fit to do so.
If the person is in a coma, the best form of traumatic brain injury treatment until he wakes up is using barbiturates, a ventricular drain or a ventilator.
For those that have cognitive and communication problems, traumatic brain injury treatment is done through therapy designed to increase his motor and alertness. Mental exercises will be given so he can orient himself with the things around him like where he is and who are the people that are present.
A speech therapist will help the patient talk again or even swallow food. Studies show that some patients that suffer from traumatic brain injury have difficulty talking or eating.
For those that have difficulty walking or maintaining balance, physical therapy will be used. This will enable the individual to move normally again instead of relying on a wheelchair, crutch or cane.
An occupational therapist may also work hand in hand with the physical therapist so that the person will be able to get back to work.
The goal of traumatic brain injury treatment is to help the individual regain the skills that were lost as a result of the accident. Rehabilitation itself can be done at home or by making regular visits to the clinic or hospital.
The success of most traumatic brain injury treatment is also dependent on the support given by family and friends since they know more about the patient such as what were his hobbies and interests.
By tailoring this to his needs, doctors will be able to come with an approach that can produce results even if this means using computer-assisted programs to make it happen. After all, there is no clear solution with traumatic brain injury treatment.
Head Injury Tip #1
Any injury to the head should be taken very seriously. Otherwise, the injured person could suffer from paralysis or even death if necessary medical treatment is not administered immediately. Without conducting some tests, like x-ray and/or CT scan, the injured or the doctor will not know the extent of the injury.
Head Injury Tip #2
Observe the injured person constantly for additional symptoms that may develop. Document these changes meticulously to help the patient's physician in diagnosing the extent of the brain injury, since onset of symptoms may occur days, weeks or months after the initial injury.
Head Injury Tip #3
Get as much details as soon as possible about the incident that caused the traumatic brain injury. Whatever the cause of the injury - car accident, work-related, working around the house, etc., it will be important to have all the details documented in case the cause of the injury ends up in court.