Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery

by Sam Malone


Traumatic brain injuries are extremely serious, and a lot of people may never be able to completely recover from them. In fact, whether you have had a mild traumatic brain injury or a severe one, complete recovery may not always be possible. For most people, the period of recovery is also fraught with anxiety because they do not know whether they will be able to get rid of all their symptoms. Traumatic brain injury recovery is usually aided by support groups. Such support groups usually offer tips and stories of individual struggles. Patients can get inspiration from these groups and may even be able to learn things from others. Initially, patients find it very difficult to get back to their routines, but with regular treatment and coping techniques, you will manage to resume a normal, healthy and happy lifestyle!

Stages

There are no clearly defined stages for recovery of traumatic brain injury. However, immediately following the trauma, the symptoms are the most severe due to the chemical and physical changes in the brain. If there is swelling and bleeding in the brain tissues, the patient may not show any signs of awareness.

With treatment and time, the circulation improves and the inflammation may lessen. This will improve the symptoms and the brain function also improves. The patient may also begin to experience normal body functioning and normal sleep and wake cycles. The patient slowly begins to recognize people and is able to communicate with them. This may be followed by a period of dizziness and confusion. As the brain continues to heal, there may be a lot of psychological changes, including mood swings and personality changes. Inconsistency in behavior is very common in patients suffering from traumatic brain injury. In the later stages of recovery from traumatic brain injury, brain functioning becomes better and the patient may be able to establish a routine.

Recovery Time

The recovery from traumatic brain injuries does not have any specific time period or duration. Medical scientists have not been able to relate the impact of the injury, age, nature of injury, and the exact area of injury with the process of recovery. Therefore, it is difficult to hand either a prognosis or a stipulated time period for recovery to any patient.

Some people with significant injuries to their brain may not have any severe long-term effects. They may experience very mild symptoms that may quickly go away. On the other hand, people with very mild traumatic brain injuries may experience very severe long-term symptoms of the condition.

Recovery Process

Researchers still know very little about the traumatic brain injury recovery process. The only way to know whether the patient is on the path to recovery is to monitor the symptoms regularly and see the kind of progress the patient has made. Since each person has a unique physiology and every injury has its own specific characteristics, it is almost impossible to map and determine specific healing patterns. However, researchers believe that there are certain chemical and physical changes in the brain that push it along the path of recovery.

Some patients may require only follow up sessions with their doctor while there are others that require therapy and sessions regularly on an outpatient basis. There is also a small number that may have to be admitted into the hospital for long-term continuing care. Depending on your individual progress, your doctor will be able to provide you a plan for rehabilitation so that you can get back to your regular routine and life as it was before the injury.
 
References:

  1. http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/outcomes.html
  2. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/TBI_Recovery_Guide_10.8.08_252053_7.pdf
  3. http://mayoresearch.mayo.edu/mayo/research/tbims/upload/ubi_families.pdf

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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