What is a TBI?

March is National Brain Injury Awareness Month.
You may hear brain injuries referred to as TBIs. TBI stands for traumatic brain injury. Approximately 2.5 million TBIs occur in the United States each year. They can occur as a result of a number of things, including falls and automobile accidents. Being a caregiver to someone with a TBI can be challenging. Knowing more about TBIs can help you to feel more prepared for the job.

 

Home Care in Foley AL: TBI's

Home Care in Foley AL: TBI’s

 

About TBIs

TBIs usually happen because of a sharp blow to the head or when an object pierces the brain tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries cause a significant number of deaths every year and also cause many people to become disabled.

TBIs can be anywhere from mild to severe. Mild TBIs can result in unconsciousness for a short period of time. They may also cause a brief change in mental abilities. A severe TBI can cause loss of consciousness for long periods of time, sometimes even weeks. Though severe TBIs are more likely to cause disability, even mild TBIs can cause short- or long-term disability.

 

The Effects of TBIs

TBIs can cause several complications, which usually occur right after or soon after the injury happens. TBIs can cause different types of complications, including:

-Altered Consciousness: Brain injuries can result in coma, a vegetative state, or brain death.

-Physical Complications: Physical complications may include seizures, infections in the brain and surrounding tissues, damage to blood vessels, headaches, and vertigo.

-Intellectual Problems: TBI can impact a person’s cognitive skills, causing memory issues and affecting judgment. They can also cause trouble with learning, reasoning, completing tasks, and more.

-Communication Issues: People with TBIs often experience problems with communicating. They may have trouble understanding what people say or expressing their own thoughts. They may also have difficulties with social interactions.

-Behavioral & Emotional Changes: TBIs can cause behavioral changes like a loss of self-control or engage in risky behaviors. They can also cause depression, anxiety, mood changes, and sleep problems.

 

Helping a family member with a TBI can be a challenge. Home care can help you to provide the best possible care for a family member with a TBI. A home care provider can assist with keeping to a daily routine, which can avoid confusion. Home care providers can also keep the house organized so that items can be found in the same place all the time, which makes them easier for someone with a TBI to locate. If the TBI has resulted in poor judgment or unsafe behaviors, a home care provider can make sure your loved one stays safe throughout the day.

 

If you or someone you know needs Home Care in Foley, AL, please contact the friendly caregivers at  Hughes Home Care. We provide quality and affordable care for your elderly loved ones in our community. Call Us Today 251-517-9901.  Serving Mobile & Baldwin County.

 

Sources

Caregiver.org
Mayoclinic.org/symptoms-causes
Cdc.gov
Mayoclinic.org/diagnosis-treatment/

 

 

 

 

James Hughes