Regardless of your age, the leading cause of brain injury is the same: suffering a fall. But because about one-third of seniors will fall every year, seniors are at a much higher risk for a traumatic brain injury.
Even without sustaining injuries from a fall, having suffered a couple blows to the head over a lifetime can take a toll on a person. Even a minor brain injury is still a brain injury, and all brain injuries can put you at risk later in life. That’s why it’s important to understand exactly what brain injuries look like, and what to watch out for.
Types of Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries are usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Physicians make this determination by whether or not a person was rendered unconscious, how long the episode lasted,, and the intensity of involved symptoms. While most cases of brain injury are mild and not life-threatening, even mild injury can lead to the development of lasting symptoms. Brain injuries may also increase your risk for several types of dementia in the years to come.
The most common warning signs of a brain injury include difficulty speaking, learning, and remembering new things. Patients may also have problems with vision, hearing, coordination, and may be unable to remember the injury. While a simple concussion may not leave someone hospitalized, that doesn’t mean they’re unscathed.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)
People who have suffered repeated traumatic brain injuries, like athletes or veterans, are at considerably higher risk for a newly classified condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy. CTE was originally considered a boxer’s disease and dubbed “punch-drunk syndrome”, but has more recently been linked to any patient who has suffered repeated head injuries.
The symptoms of CTE are not unlike those of Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. CTE is a progressive disease, and it can lead to behavioral changes including depression and aggression. Early symptoms may include confusion, erratic behavior, memory loss, difficulty with balance, and problems organizing thoughts.
Diagnosis and Treatment for CTE
Unfortunately, there is no test for CTE, and it can only be definitively diagnosed after death. There are also no treatment options, and it can only be prevented by avoiding injuries to begin with. Because CTE is so poorly understood, there are also no formal guidelines for managing symptoms or for diagnosis. Consequently, CTE is usually suggested only after a number of diagnostic tests have ruled out other causes of symptoms. However, people who suffer from symptoms of CTE often benefit from similar care for patients of dementia.
Watching for Warnings
Brain injury in seniors is responsible for around 80,000 visits to urgent care annually. Nearly 75% of those injured will need hospitalization, and most of them will face increased risks later in life. Regardless of whether you’re dealing with a minor concussion or a lifelong series of injuries that culminate in CTE, it’s critical to remain vigilant about looking out for the warning signs of brain injury.
Do you or someone you know have a history of head trauma due to sports or other activities? Tell us how you stay alert for warning signs.