Traumatic (TBI) and Non-Traumatic (NTBI) Brain Injuries

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Traumatic (TBI) and non-traumatic (NTBI) brain injuries have mild-to-severe effects on physical, cognitive, emotional health — the difference is the cause of the brain damage. Some 1.7 million Americans experience a TBI annually, with 5.3 million enduring a TBI-related disability — mostly by men aged 15-24. Following a brain injury, survivors face a significantly elevated risk, 3-8 times higher, of a subsequent brain injury. Clinical outcomes depend on age, genetics, and socioeconomic background. Both TBIs and NTBIs can have debilitating effects and require treatment. 

  • TBI: External force — a fall, car/sports accident, fight — inflicts brain injury, either closed (non-penetrating) or open (penetrating). Concussions are typically less severe.
  • NTBI: Damage — strokes, tumors, infections, lack of oxygen — occurs after birth, with varying impact. NTBIs have slower/subtler onset than TBIs, because of internal/invisible causes. 

Long/short-term effects:

  • Cognitive: Memory, attention, processing speed, problem-solving, language
  • Physical: Headaches/dizziness, strength, coordination, swallowing, bowel/bladder control
  • Sensation: Hearing, vision, body awareness, smell
  • Emotion/behavior: Depression, anxiety, anger, impulse control, personality changes, confusion
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