A traumatic brain injury is caused by direct external force to the head. When this happens, normal brain function can be disrupted, potentially resulting in mild-to-severe consequences to physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health in both the short and long term.
Concussions: A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a direct blow to the head or whiplash. It is the most common type of TBI, with symptoms that may include headache, nausea, slowed thinking, and temporary loss of consciousness.
Contusions: Brain tissue bruising from external impact, resulting in localized bleeding and swelling. May lead to headaches, dizziness, confusion, or other neurological symptoms.
Coup-contrecoup injuries: Injury caused by the rapid movement of the brain within the skull, affecting both the coup (site of impact) and contrecoup (opposite side of the brain).
Diffuse axonal injuries: Severe TBIs caused by rapid acceleration or rotation of the brain. This movement damages brain nerve fibers (axons) and may lead to widespread neural dysfunction, coma, or death.
Penetrating brain injuries: Caused by an object piercing the skull and directly damaging brain tissue. Often associated with life-threatening complications and requires immediate surgical care.
Anoxic brain injuries: Defined by a complete lack of oxygen to the brain that causes widespread death of brain cells. Often due to cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, or birth complications.
Hypoxic brain injuries: Injury caused by a partial lack of oxygen to the brain. May develop more slowly than anoxic injury but comes with the risk of cell death, motor dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.
Subdural hematomas: Intracranial hemorrhage where blood collects between the brain and its dura mater (protective covering), resulting in pressure, headaches, and potentially life-threatening complications.
Second impact syndrome: Rare, severe form of TBI that occurs when a second concussion happens before a first has fully resolved, potentially causing rapid brain swelling, loss of function, and possible death.