If you or someone in your care has suffered from a TBI or traumatic brain injury, it is important to understand the injury and what steps should be taken to ensure optimal recovery.
1Learn to recognize the symptoms of TBI.
- How to Recognize TBI Symptoms (Traumatic Brain Injury)
- How to Recognize TBI Symptoms in Children (Traumatic Brain Injury)
2If you recognize TBI symptoms following some sort of a head injury, you must see a doctor immediately. Only a physician can assess the severity of a traumatic brain injury. Some things to be aware of:
- TBIs can affect a wide array of cognitive processes, such as speech, memory, concentration, emotion, and sensation. These symptoms can arise days or even weeks after the initial trauma.
- Repeated TBIs can result in significant long-term impairment; if they occur over a short period of time, death can result.
- TBIs can increase the likelihood of epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's-type dementias.
3Follow your doctor's orders. Be sure to take medicines as directed and be sure not to miss follow-up care.
4Follow these basic guidelines to assist in your recovery:
- Be especially careful to avoid additional jolts or strikes to your head. Repeated brain injuries can be catastrophic.
- Don't drink alcohol until your doctor clears you to do so.
- Do not return to driving a car or operating construction or farm equipment until your doctor says it's OK.
- Be sure to rest. Do not return your everyday activities (employment, academics, sports, chores) until you are cleared to do so by your doctor.
- If needed, get appropriate occupational therapy to learn skills you may have lost. Ask your physician to assist you in getting needed assistance.
- If you find you have memory problems, keep a pad and pen handy to write things down.
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- Get help from others if you have suffered a TBI. Because of the injury, you may have impaired thinking processes that make it difficult for you to care for yourself.
- TBI often results in slower reaction time. Operating a car or heavy equipment too soon after a TBI can result in serious injury or death.
- TBI can be very serious. You must follow all of your doctor's instructions.