Severe Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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The History of Traumatic Brain Injuries Most people do not realize the delicacy of the brain or even how much work it does for the body without the individual even knowing it. Even well-educated scientists have been studying and researching the human brain for hundreds of years and yet they still do not have all the answers behind this mysterious and consequential part of the human body (Hoge 1236). The scientific studies that are up-and-coming today, have made remarkable discovers and have come a long way from various treatment plans when the brain is injured. When the brain acquires a serious injury, it is then called a Traumatic Brain Injury, and it thus demands ample amount of medical attention. A “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex …show more content…
It is important to understand the classification that concussions and Traumatic Brain Injuries are given. The two types of Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries are currently labeled as closed and penetrating (“Severe Traumatic Brain Injury” 3). The range of concussions vary in severity. For example, blast injuries in Afghanistan display different symptoms and severity than an injury found in the National Football League ("Military TBI Topics" 1; Dr. David A. Hovda 1). Many acclaimed University of California, Los Angles professors that specialize in Traumatic Brain Injuries and Neurosurgery, debate weather or not the the brain functions will be able to be fully reconstituted after an injury (“UCLA Brain Injury Research Center” 1). Another interesting new discovery os that Physical exercise can improve symptoms of PTSD and TBI (Hoge 1528). Whereas during the Civil War, patients were strictly bed-ridden (“Military Traumatic Brain Injury Topics” 1). However, in 1867 British surgeon and teacher John Erichsen wrote a book entitled On Railway and Other Injuries of the Nervous System, that gives his own medical expertise on the railway spine. He began to write this book when dealing with Civil War veterans who had suffered Traumatic brain injury and a vandalized nervous system. The book includes the possible symptoms that include memory loss, mental capacity, dramatic …show more content…
Long term effects depend on severity of the acquired injury, the rate and completeness of physiological healing, the types of functions affected, contact of day-to-day life, and the viable resources a person has access to (“Moderate Severe” 1). This topic is still controversial between doctors and there is not solid answer to this begging question (“Traumatic Brain Injury and Personality Change” 1; “Definitions Related to Traumatic Brain Injury” 4). Even though patients can persevere through the potential affects of a severe Traumatic Brain Injury, such as cognitive functions that include attention, memory, motor functions (such as balance), sensation, and emotional scaring are problems that most victims cannot overcome (“Severe Traumatic Brain Injury” 2). Many studies agree that patients can go on a downward spiral in there life (“UCLA Brain Injury Research Center” 2). Many patients turn to drugs, alcohol, and suicide to get away from the signs and symptoms of an injury (“Traumatic Brain Injury & Dual Diagnosis” 1; “Acute Treatment” 1). Drugs, alcohol, and other risk-taking behaviors not only further increase symptoms, but can also cause new injuries to occur. Mechanical problems with breathing, cardiac arrest, bleeding, drugs, and poisoning also cause what is called an Acquired Brain Injury (“Definitions Related to Traumatic Brain Injury”