Sustaining an injury to the brain can deeply impact your life. However, not all brain traumas are equally severe, nor are their consequences. Brain injuries manifest in various ways, with their severity contingent on their origin. As an illustration, here are three prevalent forms of brain traumas. If you or a beloved individual has experienced a brain injury, you can explore further about the symptoms and prognosis to better comprehend what lies ahead.
Structure Of The Brain
The brain is structured to provide dual layers of defense against brain trauma. The skull acts as a shield to safeguard the brain from head impacts, while an internal layer of cerebrospinal fluid functions to cushion the brain. Nevertheless, substantial head trauma can surpass these protective barriers, resulting in brain injury.
Key Varieties Of Brain Traumas
Cerebral Concussion
A cerebral concussion occurs when the brain is compelled to move within the cerebrospinal fluid. The brain cell damage and rupturing of small blood vessels within the brain are triggered by the development of a pressure wave when the brain shifts. This produces swelling and inflammation which can lead to an array of symptoms, including:
- Puzzlement
- Migraine
- Vertigo
- Lack of coordination
- Blurred eyesight
- Ringing in the ears
- Indistinct speech
Despite concussions not being the most severe form of brain trauma, they do impact the lives of those afflicted and symptoms may persist for several months.
Brain Contusion
When the brain is abruptly and intensely jolted within its cavity, the cerebrospinal fluid is unable to fulfill its cushioning role, permitting the brain to collide with the skull’s surface and get bruised. Bleeding occurs at the bruised site, leading to a deprivation of oxygen for brain cells, resulting in cell death. Severe bleeding can escalate pressure within the brain, potentially inducing a coma or fatality.
In scenarios such as being jolted back and forth in a vehicular collision, one may also incur diffuse axonal injuries. These injuries arise when the brain moves back and forth, rupturing neurons in the brain named axons.
Intrusive Trauma
When an item manages to permeate the brain, blood vessels and neurons are torn, leading to cell fatality and bleeding. It is commonplace for such traumas to result in escalating pressure within the skull, compressing the brain and disrupting circulation. Consequently, blood clots might form, and the individual might experience a stroke.
Assessing the Seriousness of a Brain Trauma
Neurologists have introduced a scale for grading the extent of a brain injury. According to this scale, known as the Glasgow Coma Scale, any brain trauma inducing unconsciousness is classified as severe. Severe traumas render patients incapable of responding to even a simple query or following a command to move their body.
While a moderate brain trauma does not induce unconsciousness, it can prevent the patient from opening their eyes, which can only occur with physical stimuli. Patients with moderate brain injuries may also provide nonsensical responses to questions.
Mild brain traumas enable patients to open their eyes and respond coherently to questions.
