Acquired Brain Injury
There are two main ways brain injury can occur, insidious onset (tumors, neurological diseases, and substance and alcohol abuse) or outside onset (infection, lack of oxygen, trauma, and strokes). Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) is brain damage suffered after birth.
The main causes of ABI include disease (AIDS, Alzheimer, cancer, Parkinson or sclerosis), alcohol or drugs, prolonged lack of oxygen, physical trauma (such as those suffered in car accidents or fighting sports) and strokes (the breaking of a blood vessel causing brain tissue destruction).
Acquired brain injury affects patients in numerous ways. Many patients experience mental and physical fatigue, visual dysfunction and slowed mental processes such as problem solving or planning. Personality and behavior modifications can also appear, with some people even becoming a threat to society.
It is published that 1.5 to 2 million Americans suffer a brain injury each year, mainly due to falls, acts of violence, sports injuries, and, most frequently, motor vehicles accidents. The even more disturbing news is that 2.5 to 6.5 million Americans are living with ABI. The good news is that thanks to evolutions in medical care, more people are surviving brain injury every year.
Acquired brain injury is a serious matter. ABI can result in an incredible life change for the suffering party, family disruption, loss of income or earning potential, and expenses resulting from the victim’s lifelong need for support. There are several institutions that offer care for ABI patients, and doctors can diagnose and treat many ABIs, so it is vital that people suffering a head injury get medical attention to prevent or cure symptoms.