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Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

You never know how a TBI affects the brain until you see an expert with decades of experience treating traumatic brain injuries. Doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists in New York and New Jersey have the tools and techniques to treat the various types of TBI, as each carries its own set of challenges for healing. While some types of TBIs heal by themselves, don’t take any chances. Get the best advice and guidance by calling Neuro Injury Specialists as soon as possible after a blow to your head.

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    What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

    TBI Treatment Specialist in Bbrooklyn NYCA traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a general term that describes a variety of injuries  to the brain. TBIs generally are caused  by a blow to the head that affects your brain’s operation. It can be anything from a minor jolt to a major accident. The impact leads to damage like swelling or bruising of the brain tissues.

    How TBI affects the brain may be short-lived or may last for many years. Typically, if you have a mild TBI — like a concussion — you recover fully after a period of rest. Severe or repeated traumatic brain injuries often impact you for the rest of your life. In the United States, TBI is one of the major causes of death and disability.

    If you suspect you have a TBI, see a TBI expert immediately. This is particularly important in children and older populations. A medical check-up is essential to determine the best treatment for a speedy recovery. If you’re in the New York or New Jersey area, reach out to the doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists. Dr. Mark Cohen, Dr. Dmitriy Dvoskin and Dr. Leon Reyfman are the experts in rehabilitation and pain management for all types of traumatic brain injury.

    What Are the General Types of Traumatic Brain Injury?

    Many types of traumatic brain injury exist.

    The medical profession tends to break them into two broad categories:

    1. Primary brain injuries. These refer to any sudden injury to the brain that happens just at the moment of impact.
    2. Secondary brain injuries. These refer to any repercussions that develop after the primary TBI. These subsequent changes to cells or blood vessels add to the initial damage of brain tissues.

    Another way doctors categorize TBIs is by the cause of the brain injury.

    There are two types of TBI based on this criterion:

    1. Closed brain injury. These are injuries that happen when there is no break in the skull nor any penetration of brain tissue. The damage occurs when the brain is shaken inside the skill, which causes bruising and tearing. Typical causes of closed brain injuries include falls, sports and car accidents.
    2. Open or penetrating brain injury. These injuries occur when an object or weapon breaks through the skull. The most common cause of an open brain injury is a gunshot wound.

    Within each of these broad categories are more specific types of TBIs. You might experience one or multiple ways that your brain is affected. Evaluation and testing pinpoint the specific type.

    General Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

    What Are the Specific Types of TBI?

    The specific types of TBI are determined by the quality and force of impact to the head.

    Through a medical history, information regarding your injury and diagnostic testing when necessary, your brain injury doctor determines the type of traumatic brain injury you have, which may include:

    • This is a common, mild type of TBI where a sudden blow to the head shakes the brain. Frequent concussions may lead to permanent changes in brain function and behavior.
    • Contusion or brain bruise.
    • Brain edema. The swelling that arises from this TBI is produced by increased excess fluid in the brain.
    • Coup-contrecoup brain injury. This injury is when both sides of the head are impacted — the site of the initial trauma and the site of a resulting contusion on the other side.
    • Diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Like a concussion, the DAI results from a shaking of the brain, but is more severe. The violent impact actually causes tearing in the brain’s connections. The extent of damage depends on the severity of the tearing and the area affected.
    • Second impact syndrome. When a brain injury happens after you’ve already suffered a first one, it’s a recurrent TBI, or second impact syndrome. A second blow or injury — even months later — often causes more severe damage than the first. Seek medical attention immediately.
    • Post-concussive syndrome. This is when symptoms go on longer than doctors expect. Lasting weeks or months, it can include dizziness, headaches or lack of concentration.

    Many symptoms of TBI in older people are often masked by an underlying condition, such as dementia. In addition, some prescribed medications that make patients more sedated can mask cognitive decline post-TBI. These conditions make it tricky to pin down the source of the symptom. Every year researchers learn more about how TBI affects the brain.

    The best advice is to seek medical attention if you suspect a concussion, contusions or hematomas. For the most up-to-date care in the New York and New Jersey area, contact the doctors at Neuro Injury Specialists. Their team of experienced professionals provide the care you need for a healthy brain.