Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury - Research Paper Example

? Assignment Introduction Traumatic head injury (TBI) occurs when a force more so external traumatically causes an injury on the brain. The type of traumatic head injury depends on the severity of the injury and part of the brain injured. TBI is one of the significant causes of death and disability worldwide more so in younger children and adults. Studies show that TBI is more rampant in males compared to their counterpart females at all ages of life. This is due to the more likely physical activities men engage compared to females. The major causes of TBI include head bang, falls, vehicle accidental, construction accidents and sports. Sports have been classified as the most lethal and rampant contributor to the development of head injury. The prevention of the occurrence of this disease depend on the cause of the problem. Reduction of car accidents can result to tremendous decrease in the incidences of TBI. Change in the common practices in sports can also do well in the prevention of its occurrence. Wearing of head gears have statistically proven positive in the prevention. Impact of Traumatic Brain Injury Medical impact The occurrence of traumatic brain injury in individuals at any stage of development has adverse medical impacts. The cost of treating the disease has proven to be one of the most expensive procedures in the world. This means apart from medical covers available in the country one has to deep hands in their pocket and cover for the expense (Finkelstein et al, 2006). The test carried in the diagnosis stage to make a decision on the kind of medical treatment and operation can adversely alter the health of an individual. The prolonged medication applied on the individuals suffering from traumatic brain injury could lead to several side effects on the person undergoing the medical treatment. The complicated surgeries conducted for the recovery of the individuals could be costly as well as critical for patients in case of lapses on the part of the surgeon. The increase in cost of treatment bore by the individual is also an impact of the prolonged medical treatment for recovery from traumatic brain injury. Due to the prevalence of TBI, the disability it causes can cause increased risk of other health conditions. Recent studies show that 1to 3 years post injury, people with TBI are 1.8 more likely to develop epilepsy and new health problem associated with it can develop in the aging process (Ferguson et al, 2005). This includes development of depression, Alzheimers and mental retardation. Therefore, the medical impact varies from the cost and the side effect of treatment to the development of other diseases. Physical impact TBI is accompanied by several physical inabilities, the signs and symptoms can vary from total inability to partial one. Headache, change in the sense of taste, dizziness and trouble in balance are some of the minor insistences that results to partial inability. Loss of speech, sight and hearing causes complete impairment on the personnel life. The traumatic brain injury of an individual leads to physical limitations and disabilities. The injury suffered in the brain due to accidental falls, violence or vehicle accidents is causes alteration in the internal functions of the brain that leads to changes in the cerebral blood flow. The injury in the skull also affects the blood pressure in the brain. This could cause partial or complete paralysis over a period of time in the individual who have suffered the traumatic injury. The increase in disability of the individual, therefore, causes limitation to the person’s physical or bodily functions (Mallonee et al, 2006). Educational impact The traumatic brain injury affects the individuals in the course of their educational progress. The effect is on the students learning progress and even the way the tutor has to teach. The alteration in the function of the cerebrum caused due to the traumatic injury could lead to cognitive drawback that pulls back the level of understanding as compared to the others. The tutor has to take this impact into consideration and alter his means of teaching. The individual suffering from traumatic brain injury is thus not able to perform well in the educational field. The traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the coordination of the students in the class. Ultimately the students have difficulties in remembering what they leant; they cannot focus for long periods of time and are slower in response and to complete course work (Anthony F. Rotatori, 2011). This impacts the educational achievements of individuals and ultimately impacts the career and growth prospects in future life. Social impact The social impact on the individual due to the traumatic brain injury is also critical. The person suffering from the traumatic injury is unable to participate in all the social activities due to physical and emotional drawbacks. Most of the people affected by TBI suffer stigma from their peers. TBI affects not only the social activities of the victim but even of the people who are close to the patient (Cheryl Lawhorne, 2011). Most of the attention has to put on the person suffering from TBI since a little fun can turn into a disaster. The individuals are limited to social activities that are considered safe and may not engage in activities as surfing or mountain climbing (MU School of Health Professions, Department of Health Psychology, 2008). Some parts of the society are sensitive to the difficulties faced by the individuals while the remaining is indifferent. The individuals suffering from disabilities and behavioral drawbacks find it difficult to cope up with the society and its developments. They appear to be short tempered, and most people who do not know their status may end up corralling with them or even fighting. Resources and support available to support TBI People with severe TBI need to receive treatment in the intensive care unit then neurosurgical ward. Most of hospitals in U.S.A have these facilities and the right equipment to facilitate the recovery from the disability. Availability of well trained personnel to carry out medical treatment for the disease has also proved to be one of the most useful resources in handling such kind of disability. Efficient transportation means to the hospital after the occurrence of an accident have proved efficient in the management of this disability. Rehabilitation units after recovery from lethal stage helps the patients improve and attain independence. Pharmacological treatment helps the patient withstand behavioral and psychiatric problems (Reynolds et al, 2001). The government has provided some resources that include a website to provide information on how to handle people with TBI related courses. Such a website includes http://www.lawsuitlegal.com. Special intervention programs could be conducted for providing therapy to the affected persons. Depending on the nature of disabilities, speech therapy, entertainment therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy could be provided for recovery of the affected people. Intervention and support for the disabled could be provided in terms of providing aid in cases of treatment and surgeries requiring high cost. This intervention and support programs are aimed at supporting the individual suffering from traumatic brain injury in their plans to return to normalcy. Conclusion The traumatic brain injury could lead to a series of impacts on the individual who have experienced it. This can range in terms of various impacts that involve physical disabilities, cognitive drawbacks, emotional and behavioral impacts and social difficulties. These impacts have wide consequences ranging from recovery to partial or complete disabilities and to the extent of death. The developments in the field of diagnosis and treatment have lead to improved outcomes in terms of recovery from the traumatic brain injuries. The various techniques of diagnosis include CT scan, MRIs, etc that provides images of the areas of the brain that has suffered the injury. This helps in providing the required support in the form of medication or surgery aimed at recovery from the brain injury. Several therapies like the speech therapy, recreational therapy, etc. are useful as means of support for individuals who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The family is the primary support of such individuals and besides the medical therapy involved they should show love and support to individuals. References Anthony F. Rotatori, F. E. (2011). History of Special Education. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing. Cheryl Lawhorne, D. P. (2011). Combat-Related Traumatic Brain Injury and PTSD: A Resource and Recovery Guide. Lanham: Government Institutes. Ferguson P.L, Selassie, A. W, Labbate, L.A, Kniele K, and Corrigan, J. D.( 2005). Patterns of alcohol use 1 year after traumatic brain injury: a population based epidemiological study. J Int Neuropsychol Soc.; 11(3):322–330. Finkelstein E, Corso P, and Miller T. (2006). The Incidence and Economic Burden of Injuries in the United States. New York: Oxford University Press. Mallonee S, Shariat S, Stennies G, Waxweiler R, Hogan D, Jordan F. (2006) Physical injuries and fatalities resulting from the Oklahoma City bombing. JAMA. 276(5):382–387. MU School of Health Professions, Department of Health Psychology. (2008, July uly). THe Brain Injury Guide Resources. Retrieved from braininjuryeducation.org: http://braininjuryeducation.org/TBI-Basics/Behaviorial-and-Emotional-Impacts-of-TBI/. Reynolds , W. E, Page, S.J, and Johnston, M.V. (2001). Coordinated and adequately funded state streams for rehabilitation of newly injured persons with TBI. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 16(1):34–46. Read More