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Mild Concussion vs. Severe Brain Injury: Do You Know the Difference?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), or intracranial injury, is damage to the brain caused by external forces. Depending on the severity of the injury, TBI can be divided into mild traumatic brain injury (minor concussion) and severe traumatic brain injury. Understanding the difference between the two is critical for prevention and treatment, especially since these types of injuries can affect multiple functions of the brain and can range from full recovery to permanent disability or even death.
Causes of brain trauma include falls, vehicle collisions and violent acts, and the consequences of these events can be extremely serious.
Classification of TBI
Based on the severity of the injury, traumatic brain injuries can be classified as mild (such as a minor concussion), moderate, and severe. Mild concussions usually cause only temporary loss of consciousness and short-lived symptoms. However, severe brain injuries may last longer and be associated with more severe symptoms.
Assessment of severity
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a commonly used system for assessing the level of consciousness. It is generally believed that a GCS score of 13 and above is considered mild, 9 to 12 is moderate, and 8 and below is severe.
Pathological characteristics
Diagnosis of traumatic brain injury involves evaluation of clinical evidence and neuroimaging. Specific symptoms will assist medical professionals in determining the nature and severity of the injury. These symptoms may involve cognitive, emotional, and social dysfunction.
In the case of severe brain injury, common symptoms include prolonged headache, nausea, vomiting, and the inability to wake the patient.
Causes of traumatic brain injury
The most common causes of TBI in the United States include violence, traffic accidents, construction site accidents, and sports injuries. For children, most falls are the leading cause of injury. Severe traumatic brain injuries have higher procedural rates in children than other types of injuries.
Physical mechanism
Forces such as the type, direction, intensity, and duration of TBI influence the character and severity of the injury. This physical force can be divided into contact and non-contact injuries, usually a combination of both. For example, a concussion is generally considered a non-contact injury, while a head impact is considered a contact injury.
Major and secondary damage
Among TBI patients, many gradually worsen over the days to weeks following the traumatic experience. The deterioration was not explained by the initial primary injury but was caused by subsequent secondary injuries. For example, increased pressure within the brain may lead to further brain damage.
Diagnosis and imaging examination
Neuroimaging is an important tool in determining TBI. Computed tomography (CT) is the most commonly used examination tool in the emergency setting, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows more detailed information for long-term examinations.
Prevention
Since traumatic brain injuries are often associated with car accidents, the occurrence of accidents can be significantly reduced through the proper use of seat belts, child safety seats, and helmets.
Treatment methods
Treatment for TBI depends on the severity of the wound and the patient's stage of recovery. During the acute phase, the focus is on stabilizing the patient's condition and preventing further harm. Most severe injuries will require admission to an intensive care unit and subsequent transfer to a neurosurgery ward.
Loss of cognitive and social functions can be improved through comprehensive rehabilitation measures, helping to improve the patient's quality of life.
The effects of mild concussions and severe brain injuries show the fragility and importance of brain function. This forces us to think about how we can more effectively protect our brains from injury and provide optimal recovery after injury.
