Traumatic Brain Injury Sourcebook, 2nd Ed.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when there is a sudden trauma that results in damage to the brain. This can occur when a person’s head violently hits an object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. It may occur even without a direct blow to the head, such as when a person suffers a whiplash. Depending on the extent of damage to the brain, the symptoms of TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. The effects of a concussion can sometimes be serious, but most people completely recover in time. More severe TBI can lead to serious physical and psychological symptoms, coma, and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2021.

Traumatic Brain Injury Sourcebook, Second Edition begins with the basics of the brain and its structure. It provides insights into traumatic brain injuries, their types, symptoms, and potential impacts, emphasizing the nuances of diagnosis, treatment. It discusses the association of TBI with conditions such as Alzheimer and PTSD, underlining the significance of immediate medical response, and highlighting the importance of prevention and safety measures. It provides insights into the challenges of living with TBI, rehabilitation, and the spectrum of support services. The book concludes with a glossary of terms related to traumatic brain injuries and resources for additional help and information.

Part 1: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury explains the basics of brain structure and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It details TBI types, symptoms, and their effects, with a focus on at-risk groups such as children, prisoners, military personnel, and abuse victims. It presents the latest TBI updates, emphasizing the lack of follow-up care for mild TBI cases.

Part 2: Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury discusses neurological tests, pressure monitoring, and advanced imaging for diagnosis. It explores emergency reactions, TBI treatments, surgeries, and the role of biomarkers in outcome prediction. The importance of emergency guidelines and minor brain bleeds post-injury is emphasized.

Part 3: Conditions Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury explores conditions linked to TBI. It examines the association between TBI and Alzheimer’s, dementia, depression, and hypertension. The relationship of Parkinson disease, polytrauma, PTSD, and vision loss with TBI is also discussed. Additionally, it highlights post-TBI epilepsy and the implications of shaken baby syndrome.

Part 4: Reducing the Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury focuses on minimizing the risk of traumatic brain injury. It covers general prevention, strategies to prevent falls in elderly, and road safety tips spanning from seat belt use to teen and elderly driving. It also emphasizes workplace safety and outlines measures to prevent sports-related brain injuries, including helmet usage.

Part 5: Living with Traumatic Brain Injury and Disabilities delves into understanding disabilities, emphasizing the challenges and adaptations for those with TBI-related impairments. It examines TBI-related disabilities, victim issues, and broad support services, including medical costs, housing, and transportation. It covers rehabilitation, symptom management, caring for TBI-affected children and teens, and factors influencing recovery outcomes.

Part 6: Additional Help and Information furnishes a glossary of terms related to TBI and lists out resources of the government and private organizations that provide help and support to people with TBI.