Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired brain injury is defined as damage to the brain that occurs after birth which is not related to a congenital disorder or a degenerative disease. Damage may be caused by a traumatic injury to the head or by a non-traumatic cause such as a tumor, aneurysm, anoxia or infection.
Acquired brain injury takes place at the cellular level within the brain. Therefore, injury from acquired brain injury can affect cells throughout the entire brain, instead of just in specific areas as with most traumatic brain injuries.
Causes of acquired brain injury can include, but are not limited to:
• Airway obstruction
• Near-drowning, throat swelling, choking, strangulation, crush injuries to the chest
• Electric shock or lightning strike
• Trauma to the head and/or neck
• Traumatic brain injury with or without skull fracture, blood loss from open wounds, artery impingement from forceful impact, shock
• Vascular Disruption
• Heart attack, stroke, arteriovenous malformation (AVM), aneurysm, intracranial surgery
• Infectious disease, intracranial tumors, metabolic disorders
• Meningitis, certain venereal diseases, AIDS, insect-carried diseases, brain tumors, hypo/hyperglycemia, hepatic encephalopathy, uremic encephalopathy, seizure disorders
• Toxic exposure – poisonous chemicals and gases, such as carbon monoxide poisoning
An acquired brain injury commonly results in a change in neuronal activity, which affects the physical integrity, the metabolic activity, or the functional ability of the cell. An acquired brain injury may result in mild, moderate, or severe impairments in one or more areas, including cognition, speech-language communication; memory; attention and concentration; reasoning; abstract thinking; physical functions; psychosocial behavior; and information processing.
Symptoms
Most symptoms of acquired brain injuries are very similar to that of traumatic brain injuries; however, there are some difficulties that are experienced more frequently or to a greater degree by persons with acquired brain injuries. These symptoms can include:
• Cognitive impairment – Thinking skills, especially memory
• Longer lengths of time spent in a vegetative state
• Severe behavior problems – Psychosis, depression, restlessness, combativeness, hostility
• Muscle movement disorders
If you have a loved one who is a victim of a traumatic brain injury, and you have no legal representation, then now is the time to call. Toll Free Phone Number 1-877-220-0550.
