When you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a brain injury, you will likely spend hours on the Internet researching the condition. It is easy to get confused when there are so many different types of brain injuries. The two main ones are a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and an acquired brain injury (ABI). These two injuries couldn’t be more different. It is important to know the differences to know truly the prognosis and treatment options available.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is one that is caused by an outside force and occurs after birth. This can be caused by a fall, car accident, assault, or hitting your head in some degree.

Acquired Brain Injury

An acquired brain injury covers a vast range of causes. Some of the most common causes of acquired brain injury include stroke or lack of oxygen at birth.

Other Brain Injuries

There are some types of injuries the brain that doesn’t fall under TBI or ABI. These include progressive types of brain damage caused by diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, progressive Parkinson’s, or metabolic diseases.

Different Treatment Approaches

Whether you have a TBI, ABI, or another type of brain injury will dictate your treatment options. Each of these types has differing degrees and levels of severity that may have wildly different long-term consequences. It is best to talk with your doctors and specialists for any specific information that you require for your particular brain injury.

Educate Yourself

By reading articles like this one, you are on the right track for approaching the healing process after a TBI or ABI. Build your support system, read articles and information, and take the time to process. You have options and support!

For more information relating to brain injury, join the TryMunity community. We are here to assist you!

While traumatic brain injuries occur frequently, many people don’t know much about the symptoms or consequences of having a TBI. Thankfully, the CDC has taken the lead by providing several online courses, extensive information, and resources for those injured and their families. The courses are aimed to provide leaders and guardians in the community with the tools they need to prevent and identify TBIs, so the proper treatment can be administered. TryMunity is always excited to share how family, friends, and people dealing with TBIs can learn more about the condition. Check out their free “HEADS UP” online training courses for more information.

Who Are the Courses For?

The CDC has created several different courses for those who play a key role in an injured person’s life. They aim to provide these people with training, information, and education to be able to quickly identify the problem and get treatment for TBI. The online training programs include…

• Youth Sports Coaches & Parents
• Health Care Providers
• High School Sports Coaches

Guides and Basics

Sometimes you want to start out with the most basic information before taking a HEADS UP course. The CDC also provides information for adults and children with TBIs. You can also read the report to Congress regarding rehabilitation and recommendations for changing health care to better deal with TBIs.

If you have questions regarding any of the CDC’s traumatic brain injury programs, join the TryMunity community. We are happy to help point you in the direction of other sources of information.

There are many long-term side effects that people suffer when they have a traumatic brain injury. People know that headaches, memory loss, physical or cognitive function delays occur, but depression is also high on the list for consequences of a traumatic brain injury. TryMunity always wants to support our members by providing resources and information about what happens after a traumatic brain injury.

How Does a TBI Cause Depression?

Lots of research has been done regarding traumatic brain injury and depression. Studies have shown that someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury is much more likely to develop subsequent depression. In fact, the risk of developing clinical depression maybe two to five times higher than the general population. Because A TBI can alter the way that a brain processes information, it can also impact mental health.

What Are the Symptoms of Depression?

If you or a family member has suffered a TBI, you will need to keep a look out for signs of depression. Common symptoms include feelings of sadness, frequent crying episodes, anger, irritability, frustration, loss of interest in activities that previously the individual enjoyed, trouble sleeping, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, thoughts of death or suicide. If you or a loved one has exhibited these signs of depression, it is important that you speak with a medical professional. Treatment can be very effective and does not have to include medication. Behavioral therapy along with your TBI treatment plan can be a great strategy for recovery. Connecting with other people who are going through a similar situation may also lessen depression. Join an online support group like TryMunity to assist with your recovery.

For more information regarding depression and TBI, join the TryMunity community today. We are here to assist you through the recovery process.

There are many different defining criteria when it comes to traumatic brain injury. There are many different measuring scales that determine the severity of a traumatic brain injury. The most common of these is the Glasgow Coma Scale.  The GCS scale defines the severity of the traumatic brain injury, but what determines if it is traumatic in the first place? TryMunity is happy to provide information regarding how to establish whether a brain injury is mild or traumatic.

TBI Defined

Traumatic brain injury is defined as a dramatically induced destruction of brain function. What makes it dramatic is that it fits in the following characteristics:

• Loss of consciousness
• Loss of memory
• Alteration of mental state at the time of the accident
• Neurological effects

Traumatic brain injuries can be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe. Each of these has its own criteria that would determine the severity of a TBI.

Determining Brain Injury Severity

The best way to determine how severe a brain injury is is to be thoroughly checked by a medical professional. However, if you need to determine the severity of a brain injury right away, you can use the simplified motor score or SMS point scale system. The points are as follows:

• Obeys verbal commands = 2 points
• Localizes pain = 1 point
• With Withdraws to pain = 0

Depending on the final score of the SMS point scale system, you can have a quick and effective way to rate the brain injury in a quick manner.

Consequences of Brain Injuries

Even when you suffer a brain injury that may be relatively minor, you could still have long-lasting cognitive effects. It is important that if you have suffered any sort of traumatic brain injury, that you receive the medical care and ongoing therapy so you can recover to the best of your ability.

For more information on traumatic brain injury, join the TryMunity community today. We are all in this together!

Concussions are one of the most common traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the United States. The symptoms are typically mild and non-life-threatening but do require medical attention. A concussion commonly is caused by a whiplash injury that results in the brain being shaken back and forth. If you are trying to determine if you or someone else has a concussion, there are some specific symptoms you can look for. If you have an emergency, it is important to dial 911 and be treated by a trained medical professional.

Signs to Look For When You Suspect a Concussion

The symptoms of a concussion vary depending on the injury. Sometimes a person will lose consciousness and sometimes they do not. Sometimes symptoms don’t develop for hours, days, or even weeks after the injury. Symptoms of concussion include:

• Brief loss of consciousness
• Memory issues
• Confusion
• Drowsiness
• Double vision or blurred vision
• Nausea or vomiting,
• Sensitivity to light
• Balance issues

If you notice that someone has these symptoms, you need to get medical attention right away. While many concussion symptoms go away on their own, there is a risk that a more serious injury has occurred that shares similar symptoms. The faster you can be seen by a medical professional and be treated, the better the prognosis for concussions.

Need More Information? Join TryMunity

If you would like more information on concussions, TBIs, or support resources, join the TryMunity community today. We have information about how to treat TBIs and concussions as well as a large support group of individuals and families who have dealt with the consequences and challenges of TBIs and concussions. You don’t ever have to deal with the physical, mental, and emotional effects of a TBI on your own.

Don’t wait! Join the TryMunity community today for more information.

When you have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligent action or inaction, you likely have a legal case against them. It can be hard enough to deal with the TBI recovery process without having the added stress of a court case. While it may make you want just to settle as quickly as possible, it is important that you fight for the compensation that you are entitled to. Not only will it help you to pay for the extensive medical bills you probably have acquired, but it can also provide you with the financial means to obtain much needed long-term therapy. Here is a brief overview of the common legal side of TBI and what you can expect in the process.

Finding an Attorney

If you don’t already have an attorney, you will want to find one quickly. Look for attorneys in your area that are experienced in the field of personal injury. There is a common misconception that lawyers are expensive when it comes to injury cases. In actuality, many attorneys accept injury cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay anything unless you win your case. You have nothing to lose.

Obtaining Compensation

The majority of cases settle outside of court through mediation or another alternative dispute resolution method. The other side and your attorney will negotiate and then you may receive a settlement. If the other party refuses to be reasonable, your attorney can take them to trial and obtain a judgment to help cover your damages. This process can be fast or take many years. It is highly dependent on the facts of your particular case.

If you have suffered a TBI due to negligence and you have questions, join the TryMunity community today. You don’t have to go through this alone!

Whether you have suffered a brain injury or had a family member who has sustained a TBI, you know that it can impact every facet of everyday life. Brain injuries can completely devastate the entire family. It is important that those who are caretakers know that they have a right to feel emotional, distressed, and hurt by a brain injury despite them not having it themselves.

Caretaker Stress Is Immense

When you are responsible for the caretaking of someone who has a brain injury, there is a lot of pressure on your shoulders. Depending on the severity of the injury, you may have to do everything for your family member. From memory therapy, physical therapy, meals, hygiene and more. It is important that you acknowledge the stress that goes a long with that responsibility and take the time to care for yourself.

Get Support

Look into support programs through your hospital, church, state-run programs, and private charities to help you through the most difficult times. Schedule respite care for you to get out and have some time to yourself. Connecting with others who are in similar circumstances can help you feel less isolated and alone. TryMunity aims to bring people together who have TBIs or have family members with TBIs. Look into our community to assist you with coping strategies.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you are feeling completely overwhelmed with the new shift your life has taken, it is perfectly ok to ask for help. Ask family members and friends to take on some responsibility or to assist you with daily errands. People want to help; they just may not always know what to do. Let them know what you need and you will be surprised at just how many people care about you and your family.

For more information, resources, and support join our community today. We are here for you!

For many Americans, times have been tough financially. Financial strain can often prevent those who typically donate money to the causes they feel passionate about from doing so. However, there are many alternative options for those who want to give back to the TBI community but may not have the financial ability to do it.

Volunteer

Volunteering for local TBI organizations is a fantastic way to help without giving anything financially. Your time and energy are worth so much to organizations that often have minimal staff and often are in need of volunteer support! Some options for volunteering could include: assisting with clerical tasks, helping to design an organization’s website or message board, and contribute to promoting the organization’s events through posting flyers around the city or on social media. Whatever your skill set, TBI organizations are in need of your help!

Run for It (and Fundraise)

Fundraising is another great way to help out TBI organizations financially, without giving a dime! Although it takes some hard work, you will be surprised by the number of strangers who want to support individuals with TBI’s. One great way to start fundraising is to do a race or awareness walk. Individuals can donate money for each mile you are doing in the walk or run. This is a fantastic way of keeping yourself healthy and active, but also raising funds for a cause that you feel passionate about!

Give What You Can

Although times can be tough, even the smallest donation to TBI research is meaningful. No matter how you raise the funds, your commitment to TBI research will help thousands of families to learn more about TBI’s and also contribute to new and innovative treatments for those with TBI’s.

To find out more about how you can help the TBI community, visit trymunity.com