What is it?
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Caused by a blow or jolt to the head, or
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Penetration by a foreign object
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Disrupts normal brain function
Mild brain injury:
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Loss of consciousness shorter than 30 minutes, and/or
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Confusion and disorientation for less than 30 minutes, and/or
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MRI and CAT scans look normal, and/or
- Cognitive problems such as difficulty thinking, memory problems, mood swings
Severe brain injury:
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Loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes, and/or
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Memory loss lasting more than 24 hours, and/or
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Arm and leg function compromised
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Abnormal speech or language problems
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Loss of thinking ability or emotional problems
The leading causes of TBI are:
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Falls (28%)
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Motor vehicle-traffic crashes (20%)
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Struck by/against events (19%)
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Assaults (11%)
What does it look like?
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Difficulty remembering, concentrating, making decisions
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Difficulty organizing, prioritizing, sequencing
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Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, reading
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Getting lost or easily confused
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Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy, motivation
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Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason)
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Light-headedness, dizziness, loss of balance
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Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, distractions
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Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily