Brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability around the world among people under the age of 44, says the BIC. About 50 percent of all acquired brain injuries in Canada are the result of falls and motor vehicle accidents.
The organization Think First notes that 30 percent of all traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are sustained by children and youth, many of them occur while participating in sports and recreational activities.
Most of us have heard of a concussion - that hard head knock suffered by a sudden blow or fall that literally shakes the brain at its core. This is the mildest form of TBI, with the most common symptoms including:
• Loss of consciousness
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or fuzzy vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, foggy or groggy
• Feeling unusually irritable
• Concentration or memory problems
• Slowed reaction time
Brain injuries are easier to prevent than to diagnose - wearing a helmet for sports, for example. BIC has posted helpful guidelines from the Ontario Neurotrauma Association for parents whose child may have suffered a brain injury here.
The neurotrauma association, an applied health research organization with a focus on improving the quality of lives for people with an acquired brain injury or spinal cord injury, has also posted detailed research and findings on brain injuries for people age 18 and over.
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Read our indepeth series on the management and care of Aquired Brain Injury white papers by senior consultant Linda Simmons at the links below: