by Gina DeMent, Public Information Officer
Five County Mental Health Authority
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a condition caused by a sudden trauma, such as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain.
Examples of these impacts include the head hitting a solid object, such as a wall or steering wheel, or an object penetrating the skull or brain. TBIs range from mild to moderate, severe or penetrating. TBI can be a result of several different incidents, such as falls or motor vehicle crashes.
Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in TBI among active-duty military, especially those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. While certain signs and symptoms of TBI can be apparent, the injury can also be invisible to service members and to those around them immediately following the impact.
Among active duty military personnel in combat zones, blasts are a leading cause of TBI. Other causes include bullets, fragments and events where the head is struck by or against something. This includes colliding with moving or stationary objects. The intensified use of explosive devices and mines in warfare and noise from weapons has resulted in auditory dysfunction, TBI and mental health conditions among members of the military. More than 50% of injuries sustained in combat are the result of explosive weapons, including bombs, grenades, land mines, missiles and mortar/artillery shells. These munitions can be directed toward individuals and vehicles or hidden in buildings or other objects.
A person with mild TBI or concussion may remain conscious. He or she may complain of not remembering what happened or being “dazed and confused” after an injury takes place. He or she may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. In some cases, the signs and symptoms of a concussion can be subtle. Symptoms of a concussion may not be identified until days or weeks following the injury, or they may even be missed altogether.
The following are some common signs and symptoms of a mild TBI:
A person with a moderate or severe TBI may show the same signs as someone with mild TBI as well as the following symptoms.
If one or more of these symptoms are observed, the subject requires immediate medical attention. They are considered “red flags”.
TBI can cause a range of functional changes that affect thinking, sensation, language, and/or emotions. It can also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other brain disorders. Individuals exposed to or involved in a blast, fall, vehicle crash or direct impact who become dazed, confused or lose consciousness, even momentarily, should be screened for TBI immediately following the event.
There are support groups available to assist those with TBI, including a group at the Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson. This group serves the counties of Vance, Granville, Franklin, and Warren. The Kerr Lake Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group meets in the Rehabilitation Unit Conference Room on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Please contact Pat Dickerson at 252.438.5511 for information.
The Emily Ellis Stroke and Brain Injury Support group meets at the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehab Center in Rocky Mount each Thursday from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Contact Tabitha Jackson at 252.451.3711 for information.
On September 16, 2009, the Raleigh Veterans’ Center will be starting a local support group in Henderson from 10:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Wednesdays for veterans with issues related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). If you are a veteran in the five county area and would like to see if you qualify to attend the group, please contact Ray Koval at 919.856.4616, or contact your local Veterans Service Office. Military veterans can also call the Wounded Warrior Resource Center at 1.800.342.9647 to find out about local resources.
Please contact Anne Williams, Prevention Specialist at Five County Mental Health at 252.430.3077 or Cynthia Fenner at 252.430.3048 for more information.