Inflammation Following Brain Injuries
Inflammation Following Brain Injuries. The brain is a delicate structure that is completely encased in a protective skull; however, this skull can also pose problems when someone sustains a traumatic brain injury. Because of how important the brain is, all damage to it must be taken seriously. According to some of the statistics which have been put together by Brain Line:
- The highest rate of hospitalizations for traumatic brain injuries was seen among the elderly.
- Children between the ages of 0 and 4 who sustain a traumatic brain injury visit the ED more frequently than other age groups.
- The leading cause of traumatic brain injuries for teenagers and young adults is motor vehicle accidents.
- Slip and fall injuries were the most common reasons that someone sustained a traumatic brain injury in those between the ages of 0 and 14 and among those over the age of 45.
Traumatic brain injuries are a serious issue. When someone sustains a traumatic brain injury, it is essential to identify it as quickly as possible. Some of the most common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
- A headache
- Acute loss of consciousness
- Numbness and tingling, also known as paresthesia
- Irritation caused by bright lights and loud noises
- Confusion and disorientation
Anyone who has these symptoms needs to be evaluated by a medical professional as quickly as possible. Often, these symptoms are resulting from inflammation of the brain.
Inflammation of the Brain: Where Does it Come From?
Tissue inflammation results because of bodily response to trauma. Whenever people bang their knee or hit their head, they often notice a lump that forms at the site of the injury. This happens because the body responds to trauma by rushing cells, fluid, and proteins to the area to start the healing process. This is exemplified when a scab forms; this is a result of the body healing itself. When these cells rush to a certain location, the area starts to swell. Unfortunately, even though this response is necessary for healing to take place, this can also lead to some unintended consequences that could be deadly.
Problems Related to Brain Inflammation
When the site of inflammation is in the brain, this can lead to several problems. These include:
- Extra fluid rushes to the brain to start the healing process.
- The brain begins to swell inside of a closed space (the skull).
- The brain eventually has no more room to expand because the skull is a finite size.
- The brain is squeezed out through holes in the skull (a herniation occurs).
When herniation occurs, permanent neurological deficits often arise. Sometimes, a herniation leads to death because the brain stem ceases to function. Because of this, it is necessary to get on top of brain inflammation before it can cause a herniation.
Treatment Options: Brain Inflammation
There are several different treatment options for inflammation in the brain. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as Tylenol, Toradol, and ibuprofen.
- Mannitol can be used to help lower intracranial pressure.
- Blood pressure medications are used to monitor the flow of fluid to the brain.
- Surgery can be used to allow the brain to swell without being trapped inside of a closed space.
Even though these are important for the management of someone who has sustained a traumatic brain injury, these will not address the underlying damage to the brain tissue. Because of this, it is essential to take a well-rounded approach to brain injuries.
Watch YouTube Video: How Inflammation Spreads Through the Brain – Do You Know? This video explains how inflammation can spread throughout the brain and cause life-long damage after a traumatic injury.
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Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyers
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Brain Injury Lawyer. Inflammation following a brain injury can be dangerous. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a car accident, call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly legal advice.
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Inflammation Following Brain Injuries: AutoAccident.com
Image Attribution: The photo at the start of this article is seen in its original form on Unsplash. The image has been reproduced here with permission/ Inflammation Following Brain Injuries.
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