Traumatic brain injury, often referred to simply as a TBI, refers to injury of the brain caused by some external force. The most common causes include motor vehicle accidents, contact sports related injuries, work related injuries, and physical assaults. This injury can often lead to anything from temporary symptoms of headaches and fatigue to more serious symptoms such as coma and even death. Fortunately, most TBI cases lead to eventual recovery, but the process can take some time depending on the severity of the initial insult.
What Are The Symptoms of a TBI?
Symptoms after a TBI can give a lot of important information regarding the long term prognosis and recovery. For example, a patient who experiences a mild TBI with no loss of consciousness can expect symptoms such as headaches, difficulty concentrating, sensitivity to light, and agitation that can last up to six months before recovery.
However, more serious symptoms like extended periods of unconsciousness after an initial injury, difficulty moving extremities, changes in sensation of the skin, repeated nausea and vomiting, or drooping of the eyelids point towards a more severe injury, and can take longer for recovery.
How Long Does Recovery Take?
The length of recovery depends on both the cause and extent of the injury, as well as the types of symptoms that are present.
Mild causes of traumatic brain injury that only lead to relatively benign symptoms like headaches and difficulty concentrating can typically take up to six months. However, more severe symptoms and causes for injury could take as long as 2 years or longer for recovery. Most patients with severe TBI experience the greatest recovery within a year, but may still have residual issues with motor function that require more time to regain full strength.
How to Promote Recovery?
There are many things that can be done to help with the recovery process.
Firstly, adequate rest is extremely important, especially right after an initial injury when the symptoms are the worst. This means getting adequate sleep, taking a break from work or school if possible, and doing activities at home that are easy to perform and relaxing. If you have difficulty getting rest, natural remedies like tea and acupuncture have been shown to have some benefit, along with yoga, meditation, and controlled breathing exercises.
Secondly, having regular physical therapy and/or occupational therapy can drastically help improve motor function and strength. Though the signs of improved strength aren’t apparent overnight, having regular sessions can lead to massive leaps and promote overall healing of the brain and nerves that may have been damaged over the long term.
Conclusion
Traumatic brain injury has led to over 200,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States alone according to the CDC. Most patients can experience months or even years of symptoms depending on the severity of injury. Fortunately, recovery can be promoted by getting adequate rest, having a proper diet, and having regularly scheduled physical therapy sessions that help your brain rewire and regrow some dead nerve cells. Though the path to recovery can take some time, there is hope and resources available at every step of the way.