What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?2>
A traumatic brain injury is a head injury that results in damage to the brain. There are two basic types of head injuries that can lead to damage within the brain – closed head and penetrating head injuries.
Closed Head Injury – Occurs when the head is suddenly stopped while in motion and the brain hits the inside of the skull. This happens, for example, when the head hits the windshield during an auto accident. A closed head injury can also occur without external trauma to the head, such as when the brain moves forward and backward during whiplash. There does not need to be a loss of consciousness to suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Penetrating Head Injury – Occurs when an object penetrates the skull.
Damage can occur in three ways: bruising (bleeding), tearing, and swelling.
Bruising (bleeding) – Blood vessels can tear when the brain is injured. When this occurs, the blood pools within the brain and begins to press on sensitive brain tissue. The brain tissue will die off and critical parts of the brain may stop functioning.
Tearing – Tiny tears can occur when the brain is injured. These tears are microscopic and usually cannot be observed with a CT scan or MRI.
Swelling – Swelling occurs when the body realizes the brain has been injured. Extra help is sent to help it heal, but because there is very little room within the skull, pressure begins to build up and damages parts of the brain. Critical areas within the brain may stop functioning.