(Atlantic) Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have impacted our local communities through younger generations over the last couple years.
According to Cass Health Emergency Room Nurse Practitioner Tammy Bireline, 27 million people are impacted by TBIs annually across the world. Bireline spoke to KSOM news about what exactly a TBI is.
Bireline explained the most common age ranges affected by TBIs are the elderly and children ages 0-4, generally related to falls. The third highest group is 15-24 year olds, typically sustained as a result of sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, and self harm. The Emergency Room Provider noted how important prevention can be to avoid suffering this type of injury.
Bireline said some of the best methods when preventing traumatic brain injury include utilizing good discretion and wearing appropriate protection.
One of the easiest ways to prevent yourself from TBIs is to avoid distracted driving.
Bireline also wants people to be aware of the prevalence of TBIs, as even with mild TBIs like concussions, there is a huge risk for lasting effects. These effects include headaches, dizziness, memory and learning issues, sleep problems, personality changes, and more.
TBIs can also lead to a disease called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or CTE. This disease is commonly found in football players and can lead to depression, suicidality, parkinson disorder, and early dementia.
If you would like to learn more about TBIs, Bireline recommends visiting NINDS.nih.gov, UptoDate.com, and CDC.gov.
