Spare yourself the trauma with Brenna Benjamin.

Brenna Benjamin handles Trauma Program Injury Prevention and Outreach for Emergency Services at NorthBay Healthcare. Her blog focuses on preventive safety measures and true trauma encounters.

You can e-mail her at: BBenjamin@NorthBay.org

Brenna started writing for this blog September of 2017.

Brain Injury Awareness Month

March 02, 2015
 

Brain injuries do not discriminate – they can occur anytime, anywhere and to anyone. Concussions can result in traumatic brain injury (TBI); these can come from sports contact, stroke, improper helmet wear, a motor vehicle collision and elderly falls. An estimated 2.5 million children and adults in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury-related emergency visit, hospitalization or death each year.

In the U.S. at least four TBIs occur every minute. There are 5.3 million people living with a TBI-related disability. Males in general have a higher rate of rate of TBI than women, and the youngest and oldest Americans have the highest risk for sustaining fall-related brain injury. Adolescents and young adults, aged 15 to 24, have the highest rates of motor vehicle related TBIs.

Adults age 65 or older have the highest rates of TBI-related hospitalization and are more likely to die from their brain injury. Falls cause 81 percent of the TBIs in this age group.

Traumatic brain injuries are preventable. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind:

* Wear an approved bicycle helmet that fits properly to reduce the risk of head injury.

* Always use age and size appropriate car seats and booster seats that are properly installed.

* Use playgrounds with soft material under them (mulch or sand, not grass or dirt).

* Booster seats used for children ages 4 to 7 results in 59 percent fewer injuries.

* Keep athletes safe from concussions: remind athletes to tell their coaching staff if they believe a team member has a concussion.

* Ensure athletes follow the rules and encourage sportsmanship.

* Know the ABC's of a brain injury: Assess the situation, Be alert for brain injury signs and symptoms, Contact a healthcare professional.

* Seniors can reduce falls and traumatic brain injury by using canes and walkers, reviewing their medications with physicians, having an annual vision and hearing screening, increasing their balance with exercise programs and wearing shoes that fit appropriately.

Common brain injury signs and symptoms:

1. Headache
2. Dizziness
3. Blurred Vision
4. Difficulty Thinking Clearly
5. Sensitivity to Light and Noise  

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