In one instant a whole life—a whole family—can be changed.
When someone else’s negligence causes a person to suffer a brain injury, he or she will never be the same. While each brain injury is unique, there are some common causes of brain injuries that are important to know about. By recognizing the causes of brain injuries, you can watch for symptoms of brain injuries in yourself and in those you love, and you can be prepared to take the steps necessary to protect the brain injury victim and your entire family.
Understanding the Causes of Brain Injuries
Outside of high risk situations such as fights and sports, many brain injuries occur because of:
- Falls. Falls in nursing homes, hospitals, and elsewhere can cause a person to hit his or her head and suffer a significant brain injury.
- Motor vehicle accidents. Brain injuries can occur in motor vehicle accidents if a person hits his head, or if the impact occurs at a significant speed which causes the brain to crash against the skull.
- Medical mistakes. If a person is deprived of oxygen at birth, or later in life, then a brain injury could result.
While these are common reasons for brain injuries, they are not the only reasons. It is vitally important to seek prompt medical attention if you suspect that you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury.
Understanding Brain Injury Victims
Every brain injury is as unique as the individual who must live with it. The extent of the injury depends on how hard the brain was damaged and what part of the brain was affected. Some individuals may experience problems with:
- Gross motor skills, such as walking or balancing.
- Fine motor skills, such as writing or picking things up.
- Language skills, such as speaking or reading.
- Cognitive skills, such as memory or understanding.
- Emotions or behaviors.
- Headaches.
- Other symptoms that were not present prior to the accident.
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Each of us is at risk of suffering this type of injury, and each of us should be aware of the causes so that we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and even strangers in our community. Together, we can all make a difference. Please start today by sharing this article on Facebook or Twitter so that others can help raise awareness and, more importantly, take action to prevent future brain injuries.
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