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Traumatic Brain Injury

An individual experiences a traumatic brain injury when a form of external force causes harm or injury to your brain. External forces such as this can create neurological trauma when it comes from a violent blow to a head or body. Not only can external forces cause harm, but anything that may potentially pierce or penetrate the skull can cause traumatic injury.

Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging effects both physical and psychological. Some signs or symptoms of the injury may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while other symptoms may not appear until many days or weeks later.

Mild traumatic brain injury

Not all traumatic brain injuries are severe. In fact, there are brain injuries that exist which are mild in nature and simply cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. With mild traumatic brain injury it is not expected that a person would suffer from permanent damage.

Some of the typical signs and symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:

  • Being dazed, confused or disoriented
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Memory, mood or concentration problems
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Sleeping more than usual

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries

More serious traumatic brain injury can result in bruising, torn tissues, bleeding and other physical damage to the brain that can result in long-term complications or death.

Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, as well as the following symptoms:

  • Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
  • Coma or loss of consciousness for extended period of time
  • Consistent vomiting or nausea
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
  • Headache that continues to worsen
  • Inability to awaken from sleep
  • Loss of coordination
  • Loss of sensation or movement in fingers and toes
  • Profound confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Unusual behavior

More Information

Women Have a Higher Risk of Stroke

Stroke is the 4th leading cause of death in women and kills more women than men. In fact, one in five women has a stroke.

The higher stroke risk in women may be due to:

  • Atrial fibrillation – This increases stroke risk among women over age 75 by 20 percent.
  • Migraines with aura –Migraine with aura is associated with ischemic stroke in younger women, particularly if they smoke or use oral contraceptives. Smokers with migraines accompanied by aura should quit immediately.
  • High Blood Pressure - While you may have had normal blood pressure most of your life as a woman, your chances of developing high blood pressure increase considerably after menopause. In fact, women that are just 20 pounds or more overweight, have a family history of high BP or have reached menopause are known to have an increased risk.
  • Hormone replacement therapy – This type of therapy should never be used to prevent stroke in post-menopausal women.
  • Birth control pills – Birth control pills have become much safer over time, but women who are already at risk of stroke should take extra precautions. Get screened for high blood pressure before the pill is prescribed. And never smoke while taking oral contraceptives.
  • Pregnancy –The risk of stroke in pregnant women is 21 per 100,000, with the highest stroke risk during the third trimester and post-partum. Those with high blood pressure should be treated with medications and monitored closely.
  • Preeclampsia – This is high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy. Preeclampsia doubles the risk of stroke later in life. If you have any history of hypertension, talk to your healthcare provider about taking low-dose aspirin starting in the second trimester.

Because of the high stroke risk in women, it’s important to take care of yourself; know & manage your blood pressure, get lots of rest, eat the right foods and be physically active. And don’t smoke!

American Heart Association: https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-risk-factors/women-have-a-higher-risk-of-stroke

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