Traumatic Brain Injury Essay

A concussion is one type of Traumatic Brain Injury also known as TBI. “TBI is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force” (Brain Injury Association of America, 2015). A cerebral concussion is one of the most occurring cases of a TBI. Direct impact such as blows to the head, gunshot wounds, falls, and car accidents can cause a concussion. A gunshot wound would be classified as an open head injury, and a blow to the head would be categorized as a closed head injury. The brain tissues begin to swell, and swelling can compress the brain and blood vessels. Lack of blood flow and oxygen can eventually cause a stroke. Some patients may or may not experience loss of consciousness and …show more content…
Some parts of the brain that may be effected by a concussion are the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. “This can change the way a person thinks, acts, feels, and moves the body. Brain injury can also change the complex internal functions of the body, such as regulating body temperature; blood pressure; bowel and bladder control” ( Brain Injury Association of America, 2015). Damage to the frontal lobe can alter language, emotions, personality and problem solving to name a few. There have been cases as early as the 1800’s where psychiatric disorders have been reported as a result of traumatic brain injury (Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2008). The temporal lobe houses functions such as memory, hearing, understanding, and sequencing. Sleep plays a major role in our lives. A traumatic brain injury can affect ones sleep causing insomnia, interrupted sleep, and sleeping for too long. Changes in the brain caused by a concussion often times cannot be viewed on basic scans like MRI or CT scan. Long after symptoms have dissipated doctors in Minneapolis have found brain abnormalities on special imaging