TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) are a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. You can get a TBI from a hard bump or jolt to your head or if you’re hit with something that penetrates your skull. TBIs may have short-term or long-term medical issues. There are treatments for TBI. More importantly, there are ways to prevent them from happening.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious medical issue that affects how your brain works. You can get a TBI from a hard bump or jolt to your head or if you’re hit with something that penetrates your skull. Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability in the U.S. They can cause short-term and long-term medical issues that can affect every part of your life. There are treatments for TBI. More importantly, there are ways to prevent them from happening.
Traumatic brain injury affects thousands of people in the U.S. every year. In 2020, more than 214,000 people needed in-patient care for a TBI. More than 69,000 people died from issues involving traumatic brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries may be penetrating or non-penetrating (blunt):
Further, healthcare providers classify traumatic brain injuries as being mild, moderate and severe. They may use the term concussion when talking about mild TBI. They typically group moderate and severe TBI together.
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If you have a traumatic brain injury, it means you were hit in the head hard enough to make your brain bounce around or twist inside your skull. When that happens, you can damage your brain and injure blood vessels in your brain. A TBI creates chemical changes in your brain so your brain cells don’t function as they should.
Traumatic brain injury symptoms vary depending on whether a TBI is mild or moderate and/or severe. But all TBIs may cause symptoms, including physical issues, trouble thinking or remembering, and social or emotional issues. Children and adults have similar symptoms. TBI symptoms in babies are issues eating or nursing. They may cry inconsolably, meaning nothing you do to comfort them helps them stop crying.
Mild TBI symptoms vary. They can develop right away, a few days or even a week after you were hurt. You may not always make the connection between bumping your head hard and not feeling well. Symptoms also change as your brain recovers from injury.
Symptoms may include physical issues, issues with thinking and remembering, social and emotional issues, and sleeping issues.
Physical issues
Common symptoms include:
Thinking or remembering issues
If you have mild TBI, you may experience symptoms like:
Social or emotional issues
You may have:
Mild TBI may affect your sleep. You may also have trouble falling asleep, sleeping less than usual or sleeping more than usual.
Like mild TBI, symptoms of a moderate or severe TBI may change over time.
Physical issues
Physical issues can be serious, including:
Thinking or remembering
Moderate or severe TBI can cause symptoms like:
Social or emotional issues
Having moderate or severe TBI can cause the following symptoms:
Mild, moderate and severe TBIs cause different complications.
If you have a mild TBI and you don’t give your brain time to heal, you have an increased risk for second-impact syndrome, a life-threatening condition that happens when your brain suddenly swells and your brain tissue is displaced.
Moderate or severe TBIs have long-term consequences, including:
Moderate or severe TBIs increase your risk of developing the following issues:
If you have a mild TBI, your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. They’ll also want to learn more about what caused the injury. They may do the following tests:
If you have a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury, your provider likely will do blood tests and a CT scan so they can decide on immediate medical treatment.
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There are different treatments for mild and moderate/severe TBI. Specific treatments vary depending on your situation.
If you have a mild traumatic brain injury, healthcare providers may recommend:
A moderate or severe traumatic brain injury is a medical emergency. Healthcare providers may do surgery to:
Providers may prescribe medications, including:
Once you recover from surgery, you’ll probably begin rehabilitation treatment. The goal of rehabilitation is to improve your ability to handle daily activities and help you manage challenges like communication or mental health issues. You may receive:
You may not be able to avoid all the things that can cause a traumatic brain injury. But there are steps you can take to protect your head and reduce your risk of TBI. Here are some suggestions:
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That depends on your situation. All traumatic brain injuries can create challenges. In some cases, a traumatic brain injury can have long-lasting consequences. If you have a TBI, ask your provider what you can expect.
Most people with mild traumatic brain injury feel better after a few days of rest. If you have mild TBI, you can take care of yourself by:
If you have a TBI, get help right away if you have:
If you’re caring for someone with a TBI, you should seek immediate care if:
If you care for someone with a traumatic brain injury, you may want support and guidance on how to help them rebuild their lives. Here are some suggestions:
If you have a mild traumatic brain injury, you may want to ask your provider the following questions:
If you care for someone with a severe TBI, you may want to ask:
At its worst, a TBI, or traumatic brain injury, can be life-threatening. But even mild TBIs can change your life. Traumatic brain injuries happen when you hit your head or are hit in the head. They can cause short- or long-term problems that may affect every part of your life. A TBI may change how you think, act, feel and learn. It can affect your ability to work and build relationships.
Many things can cause TBIs, from accidental falls and vehicle accidents to interpersonal violence. There’s no guarantee you’ll avoid everything that may cause a TBI. But you can take steps to reduce your risk. If you’re worried you could be at risk for a TBI, ask a healthcare provider for information about protecting yourself — and your brain — from a traumatic brain injury.
Last reviewed on 01/25/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy