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Archive for September, 2010

PTSD & Traumatic Brain Injury

Monday, September 27th, 2010

The skyrocketing number of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) due to the conflicts involving U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, while unfortunate, has revealed new connections that may eventually lead to better treatments. As the connection between TBI and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) becomes clearer, so does the understanding of the difference between the disorders.

Causes of TBI is Civilian and Military Populations

The Department of Veterans Affairs has studied mild TBI (mTBI) in both civilian and military populations. The department found that approximately 80 percent of all TBI’s in civilians are mild. Most TBI is caused by falls, car accidents, a blow to the head, or assaults. Troops face different dangers, with the majority of mTBI coming from blasts. (more…)

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Kids and TBI: Window Fall Prevention for Parents and Daycare Providers

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

$fractal mushroom$ Nearly 5,000 children are hurt in window falls every year in the United States, according to Harborview Injury Prevention & Research Center. Falls are usually linked to poor window designs, not necessarily poor child supervision.

Traumatic Brain Injury

According to WebMD, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, resulting in 35.2% of the total. Rates are highest for children from birth up to age 4, and for adults 75 and older. TBI is caused by a bump or blow to the head that is severe enough to interrupt normal brain function. If a child falls through a window two stories above ground, chances are he or she will have a concussion, which is the mechanism of injury for the majority of traumatic brain injuries. Annually, among children from birth to age 14, TBI causes an average of 2,174 deaths. (more…)

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VA Diverted Funds Intended for Traumatic Brain Injury Research

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

One of the most common injuries that occur to veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is traumatic brain injury. According to Military.com, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center reports 10 to 20 percent of troops with combat exposure suffered these concussions from roadside bombs.

Recently, questions have been raised regarding the money that was intended to research these injuries, and it has been brought to attention that the funds had been used wrongly. Those who have been victims of brain injury should consider retaining an experienced personal injury attorney in order to seek damages and compensation.

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Xenon Gas Shows Promising Results for Brain Injury

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Infants can suffer brain injury during birth due to various circumstances. Brain damage occurs as a result of trauma to the child’s head, poor decisions on the part of caregivers during a difficult labor, or any situation that disrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the infant’s brain.

The trauma from injury may be temporary or cause lifelong disabilities. Health care providers utilize various methods and medications in an attempt to reduce or reverse the effects of brain injury including hypothermia. Recent studies by British researchers involving the use of Xenon gas show promising results.

Xenon Gas Attributes and Uses

Xenon exists in minuscule quantities in the atmosphere as a colorless, odorless, tasteless, noncombustible substance. The process of singling out this component is expensive, contributing to high cost of procuring this non-toxic gas. Formerly used for illumination in street lamps and other devices, the gas has been used as a general anesthetic for more than 50 years. Studies indicate patients undergoing Xenon anesthesia experience fewer side effects compared with other commonly used compounds. (more…)

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Controversy over Bike Helmet Laws

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

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Statistics indicate that traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is the foremost cause of death in persons under the age of 45. The majority of these events occur as the result of motor vehicle accidents, with falls and sports related situations following close behind. Studies show that annually, well over one million Americans suffer an injury that results in TBI and 50,000 of those people die.

Continuing Controversy over Bike Helmet Laws

Twenty states, including the District of Columbia require all individuals to wear an approved helmet while operating or riding on a motorcycle. Nineteen states require minors under the age of 18 to wear a helmet whether as the operator or as a passenger of a motorcycle. These laws vary from state to state with regard to mandatory helmets and the operation of low-powered scooters and bicycles. However, states having the most stringent helmet laws also have stipulations for these categories. (more…)

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