Traumatic brain injury TBI contributed to 17.1 fatalities per 100,000 populations per year in the united states. TBI is caused mainly by a direct blow to the head, resulting in a concussion, a mild injury. Unfortunately, for some reason, there are a lot of misconceptions about TBI, leading to more worry and confusion. Indeed, some people associate TBI with athletes, which is not the case.
Here are 11 reasons that will debunk brain injury myths and fallacies;
1. If there is no loss of consciousness, then it’s not a brain injury
Most people believe that if you do not lose consciousness, there is no brain injury. However, people can sustain brain injury without passing out. They may experience headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and vision changes.
After an incident, it’s crucial to go to one of the most trusted concussion clinics in the US or your area to get yourself checked. Otherwise, you risk overlooking potential brain injury symptoms that could result in more severe complications if left untreated. These clinics typically employ specialists who are trained to assess and diagnose various types of brain injuries, including concussions. They utilize advanced diagnostic tools such as neuroimaging scans and cognitive tests to evaluate the extent of any brain trauma accurately.
2. If you have TBI, then you shouldn’t sleep
Many people think that the injured person should not have plenty of continuous sleep. On the contrary, getting enough monitored sleep is one of the recommendations for better recovery from TBI.
3. You must hit your head to sustain an injury
While many people have suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) after a blow on the head, it isn’t always the case. A brain injury can occur from any movement that causes bouncing, shaking, or twisting of the brain.
4. A helmet will prevent brain injury
Most people think that helmets can protect you from brain injury. The helmet protects the head from penetrating wounds and cushions from the blow. However, a helmet does not guarantee the protection of the brain from damage.
5. You are considered recovered from TBI if you show normal or high IQ results
Many psychologists believe a TBI patient has recovered if they show typical IQ results. However, the IQ results are just a portion of cognitive abilities among the several brain injuries that might occur.
6. Mild injuries don’t have lasting consequences
Most people do not sustain lasting symptoms from mild injuries, but some develop post-concussion syndrome for months or a year. The effects might be permanent if patients do not recover after three years.
7. Children recover fast from brain injury
There is a myth that children recover quickly from TBI based on the theory of plasticity. The idea claims that children’s brains develop and can rebound better from injury. However, this is not true since it may take time to show that a child’s brain was injured.
8. A typical CT scan or MRI means no TBI injury
There is a belief that if the CT scans show standard imaging, TBI has not occurred. However, mild injuries will show routine imaging while the damage has occurred. Functional imaging techniques, like functional MRI (fMRI) or diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), can provide more insights into the brain’s functioning and connectivity, but these are not routinely used in the acute setting for diagnosing mild TBI.
9. Athletes are most at risk of TBI
Most people associate TBI with athletes, but brain injuries can happen to anyone. In the United States, falls account for 48% of TBI hospitalization.
Other causes of TBI are motor vehicle accidents, which can result in head trauma due to the forces involved in collisions, as well as assaults and interpersonal violence, where blows to the head can cause significant injury.
Additionally, workplace accidents, particularly in industries such as construction or manufacturing, can expose individuals to risks of head injury from falls, being struck by objects, or other occupational hazards. It’s essential to broaden the conversation about traumatic brain injury beyond the realm of sports to raise awareness about the diverse array of situations in which these injuries can occur.
10. Symptoms of brain injury must come right away
There are misconceptions that brain injury results in immediate symptoms. However, signs of a TBI can occur much later, and it might take time to realize the severity of some brain injury effects.
11. Older people are more susceptible to brain injury than others
Many think the elderly are more likely to suffer from TBI, but children are more vulnerable. The developing brain in children may take time to show injury symptoms and cause long-lasting consequences.
