traumatic brain injury
"33,149 service members were found to have tbi in 2011, 771,874 veterans needed treatment for tbi from 2001 through 2011"
and this number is considered low
traumatic brain injury or tbi is a form of brain function disruption caused by work place accidents such as explosions, falls from heights, motor vehicle accidents, and heavy strikes to the head or body. tbi's are generally very severe and require hospitalization if not surgery to correct.
the effects of tbi can last months to years. in some cases individuals never fully recover from this injury. this makes tbi a significant health issue, which affects service members and veterans during times of both peace and war. the high rate of tbi and blast-related concussion events resulting from current combat operations directly impacts the health and safety of individual service members and subsequently the level of unit readiness and troop retention.
concussion
"1.7 to 3 million individuals in the U.S. experience concussion: 275,000 are placed in hospital, 52,000 die. most concussions go unreported or unfound"
this happens each year - every year
concussions are a milder form of tbi. they are a type of brain function disruption caused by bump or blow to the head or body during sporting events, play, falls while at work or at home. these events cause the head to move rapidly back and forth. doctors may describe these injures as mild because concussions generally are not life threatening - but people do die from concussions. even so, their effects can be serious. understanding the signs and symptoms of a concussion can help you get better.
concussions symptoms generally last days to weeks but can go on for years. like a major tbi sometimes the individual will never get better.
causes of tbi (by percentages)
asking the right question
"why don't I feel like myself?"
most people with a concussion or tbi have one or more the symptoms listed below and recover to some extent but never fully. if you feel that "something is not quite right", or if you are feeling "foggy", or just not yourself you should talk with your doctor.
symptoms of concussion and tbi
signs of concussion and tbi
if you see any of the above problems or suspect a problem then call a doctor or parent right away. what else can be done - know your concussion score. your medical athletics concussion-index can keep you safe.
know your score
We begin by sending you a link to take our cognitive test on-line. We recommend that you allow 40 minutes in a quiet environment. Our staff will contact you with your results and schedule a follow up appointment with a clinician if it is necessary. Your results will be shared only with you.