During Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month in March, our team is raising awareness about how expert care and support can help patients heal.
Regional One Health offers comprehensive care for traumatic brain injuries, both during the critical phase and as patients go through rehabilitation therapy.
Our team also provides free care coordination and access to resources that patients and families can use to improve their independence and quality of life.
Traumatic brain injuries can change a person’s life in an instant – but awareness and expert care can help patients reclaim their independence.
March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. As the Mid-South’s level-one trauma center, Regional One Health cares for a number of patients with traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, both during the critical phase and as they go through rehabilitation therapy.
Asia Burks, Traumatic Brain Injury Coordinator at the Elvis Presley Trauma Center, said Brain Injury Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate the public about these injuries, which are a major cause of death and disability in the United States. There are 5.3 million Americans living with a TBI-related disability, and 2.8 million people visit emergency departments for TBI-related injuries every year.
“Traumatic brain injuries can affect people of all ages,” Burks said. “At Regional One Health, we provide the expert early intervention, ongoing rehabilitation, and comprehensive support resources patients need to have improved outcomes.”
Burks said a traumatic brain injury occurs when a bump, blow, jolt or penetrating injury causes damage to the brain. Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, falls, sports, etc.
The effects can range from mild and temporary to severe and life-changing.
TBIs are classified as mild, moderate, or severe based on the amount of damage and the patient’s symptoms. Physical symptoms include headaches, vomiting, and loss of consciousness, Burks said, and there are other types of symptoms as well: sensory problems like sensitivity to light or sound, cognitive deficits like confusion, and emotional concerns like feeling sad or irritable.
All TBIs should be taken seriously, and patients should be evaluated by a medical professional. “People should be aware that symptoms might not appear immediately after an injury. In some cases, it can take hours or even days,” she said. “If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms after a head injury, seek medical attention right away.”
Traumatic Brain Injuries should always be taken seriously. Patients who suffer a blow to the head and experience symptoms like losing consciousness, vomiting, confusion, and headaches should be checked by a health care professional.
Patients with mild and moderate TBIs, which are often referred to as concussions, typically have symptoms that clear up over a matter of weeks.
Severe TBIs, however, involve significant damage and can be life-threatening. Patients may be unconscious for an extended period of time and can suffer from amnesia and significant physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments.
Burks said TBI treatment depends on its severity.
The first step is a careful assessment, which often includes imaging scans including CT or MRI.
In an emergency, the patient needs to be stabilized, which can include surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, stop bleeding, or repair fractures to the skull.
Patients diagnosed with a mild TBI are usually advised to rest and avoid strenuous activity. They may be given medications for pain, nausea, or other symptoms.
Some patients require rehabilitation after a TBI, especially if it is severe. Regional One Health’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital offers a Brain Injury Specialty Program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, which means it meets rigorous standards for patient care, safety, and outcomes.
Rehabilitation for a TBI can involve physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help patients relearn major and fine motor skills and address speech, cognitive, and emotional concerns. Many patients continue rehabilitation on an outpatient basis after discharge from hospital, and follow-up care also includes regular checkups to make sure their recovery is on track.
After a Traumatic Brain Injury, patients may require rehabilitation therapy. Regional One Health offers physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help patients regain function and independence.
Burks said Regional One Health offers a free service coordination program to help patients and families get the medical care and support resources they need. The team creates a comprehensive plan that includes medical care and rehabilitation, education, referrals to professional resources, advocacy and legal assistance, employment and housing services, and more.
They also offer access to support groups led by Disability Rights TN. TBI survivors and their families and friends, along with care professionals, can join to share experiences and gain support. Meetings are held the first and third Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. CST by calling 309-205-3325 (Meeting ID 999 1559 1619 and Passcode 257220).
Burks said by offering comprehensive services, Regional One Health helps patients receive the care they need so they can recover and regain their independence.
“Traumatic brain injuries are complex and can affect physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being,” she said. By helping patients access the medical care and support they need, we can help them return to a fulfilling and meaningful life.”