Archive for the ‘Other Brain Injuries’ Category

What is an Acquired Brain Injury?

Avoid Summer InjuriesAre you unsure of the difference between a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and an acquired brain injury (ABI)? If so, you’re not alone! Most people aren’t aware of the differences between the two. In truth, these are both complex, wide-ranging injuries. Here at TryMunity, we’ve decided it would be helpful to describe, in depth, what an acquired brain injury is. We’ve provided a definitions of acquired brain injuries below, as well as their key characteristics.

An acquired brain injury is a brain injury that has occurred after birth, but is not directly linked to any kind of congenital defect. Various causes of an ABI include (but are not limited to): infection, strokes, substance abuse, trauma, and hypoxia. ABI’s can cause severe cognitive, physical, and behavioral dysfunction in the afflicted individual.

ABI’s can result in various cognitive, physical, and emotional changes. A person with an acquired brain injury may have problems with walking, sitting, and regular household tasks; he or she might also take more time than is considered normal to process information. A person with an ABI may also experience a mood disorder, more irritability than normal, and emotional or behavioral outburst. All of these and more are very typical reactions.

Join the TryMunity Community – We’re Here for You!

Do you have further questions about what an acquired brain injury is? Don’t hesitate to contact TryMunity. Here at TryMunity, we provide a vast, comprehensive web of resources for just that! We also have several support systems for those afflicted with a traumatic brain injury, or who know of someone who is. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have! Join the TryMunity community today, and take advantage of all that we offer. We’re always happy to speak with you, and offer our assistance. We look forward to speaking with you!

What is an Acquired Brain Injury?

brain injury supportThere are two conversations happening simultaneously in the brain injury community. The first and foremost conversation is obviously that of a traumatic brain injury. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and children are discussing what constitutes a TBI. However, the second dialogue is that of an ABI (Acquired Brain Injury). As these two injuries differ, we hope to clarify. Since TryMunity aims to be resource, we’ll present both types of injury – allowing you to determine which one you’ve suffered.

An Acquired Brain Injury is…

An acquired brain injury is the scenario in which your brain injury was not caused by a traumatic event. Experts often consider a huge difference between the two types of brain injuries because traumatic generally means the effect of trauma, where as acquired generally means brought on gradually. Some illnesses that can lead to an ABI include: stroke, loss of air to the brain, and other cerebral vascular accidents. Some accidents that can lead to a traumatic injury include external forces, such as a car crash, a gunshot to the body, or a traumatic fall. The fact of the matter is, an acquired brain injury is no less severe than a traumatic one. They both change lives, and they both deserve ample attention and research. They are just brought on by different catalysts.

ABI vs. TBI?

Some debates exist between ABIs and TBIs. It is often thought that the TBI can actually fall within the ABI category, but again, research doesn’t point that in any direction one way or another. Our suggestion for the debate is that it be done with. We suggest that all victims of brain injuries deserve care and proper support, and it doesn’t matter “how” the injury was brought on. Instead, the injury exists. That’s one of our philosophies: if the injury exists, we’re here to help you get through it.

TryMunity isn’t about division of injuries or weighing the severity of them, we are about connection and pushing forward the knowledge of brain injuries. Advocacy can only leap forward when we all work together. To join the TryMunity community visit us at community.trymunity.com.