Traumatic Brain Injury Sourcebook, 1st 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 the brain tissue. It may occur even without a direct blow to the head, such as when a person suffers whiplash. Depending on the extent of damage to the brain, the symptoms of TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. Some symptoms of TBI include headache, nausea, vomiting, seizures, and fatigue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, there were about 2.87 million TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths in the United States, which included 837,000 children.

Traumatic Brain Injury Sourcebook, First Edition begins with basic information about the brain. It explains what a head injury is and provides information and facts about traumatic brain injury (TBI). It offers information on the diagnosis and treatment of and surgical options for a TBI. It discusses various conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease, associated with TBI, and provides information about disabilities that may occur as a result of TBI. Facts about ongoing clinical trials and research studies on TBI are provided. Rehabilitation techniques and caring for those affected with TBI are also discussed. The book concludes with a glossary of terms related to TBI and resources for additional help and information.

This book is divided into parts and chapters. Parts focus on broad areas of interest. Chapters are devoted to single topics within a part.

Part 1: Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury begins with a basic description of what a brain is. It provides information and facts about traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and the effects and symptoms of TBIs, and explains how TBIs can range from moderate to severe conditions. How TBIs can cause epilepsy and what happens to the body when the brain is injured are also discussed in detail.

Part 2: Diagnosis and Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury offers suggestions for when to seek medical help and outlines what to expect from a healthcare professional. It offers information on the diagnosis and treatment of and surgical options available for TBIs. It also explains how biomarkers are used for brain monitoring, and how music-therapy programs help those suffering from a brain injury. Emergency-treatment guidelines to help people with a severe brain injury are also provided.

Part 3: Conditions Associated with Traumatic Brain Injury provides information about various conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, dementia, depression, hypertension, Parkinson’s disease, polytrauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and vision loss, that are associated with TBI.

Part 4: Disability from Traumatic Brain Injury offers information about the severe disabilities that can result from a TBI. It defines what disability is and explains how to live with a physical disability. It also offers insight into how people with a TBI or other disability may be victimized and offers information on how to seek support services.

Part 5: Living with Traumatic Brain Injury covers how to manage specific symptoms and pain caused by a TBI. It provides useful tips on how to stay safe on the road and how to help a child in school after she or he is affected by a TBI. Prevention strategies and the role parents or other caregivers play in helping children with a TBI are also explained. Some useful information on TBI rehabilitation and how to care for a person with a TBI is also provided.

Part 6: Clinical Trials and Research Studies on Traumatic Brain Injury provides basic information on what clinical trials and observational studies are, followed by information about ongoing clinical trials for TBI.

Part 7: Additional Help and Information provides a glossary of terms related to TBI and lists the government and private organizations that provide help and support for people with TBIs.