By:Sgthermogenesm/ Educational Sheet.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatice brain injury(TBI)is a blow or jolt to the head or a
penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI.

The serverity of such an injury may rang from "mild"(a brief change in mental status or consciusness)to "severe"(an exended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).A TBI can result in short or long-term problems.

What causes TBI? The leading causes of TBI are: Bullets,fragments,blasts,falls,Motor vehicle-traffic crashes,
Assaults.
Blasts are a leading cause of TBI for active duty military
personnel in war zones.

Symptoms of Mild TBI or Concussion; Headaches,Dizziness,Excessive fatique(Tiredness)Concentration
Problems,Forgetting things,Irritability,Sleep problems,Balance
problems,Ringing in the ears,Vision change's.

Recovery from TBI:
* Get plenty of sleep at night and don't over exert yourself during the day.
* Return to normal activities gradually.
* Avoid any activities where a helmet is recommended for safety
(i.e.,boxing,cycling,roller blading,skating,etc.).
* Don't drink alcohol.
* If it's harder to remember things,write them down.
*If you losing important items,put them in the same place all the time .
* Try doing only one thing at a time in a quiet, non-distracting
Environment.
* If you feel irritable,use relaxation techniques to help manage
the situation,
* Be patient! Healing from a brain injury takes time.
* Keep your brain active by doing activities that require strategies and find motor skills; such as; crossword puzzles,playing a musical instrument,drawing,writing,painting,
playing cards or board games.

REMEMBER: Symptoms of mild TBI or concussion often resolve
with hours to days and almost always improve in the first 1-3
Months following injury.
HOWEVER: If symptoms persist and are not improving,you should go to your primary care clinic for an evaluation...

Helpful Wwbsites.
Military Severely Injured Center. [1-888-774-1361]
www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil
Defense and Veterans Brain Inlury Center.[1-800-870-9244]
www.dvbic.org
Brain Injury Association of Americe. [1-800-444-6443]
www.biausa.org
Centers For Disease Control and Prevention. [1-800-311-3435
www.cdc.gov
PTSD and depression help explain persistent symtoms in OIF/OEF
Veterans with mild Traumatic Brain Injury:
By;Sgthermogenesm
Blinded Marine Veterans.
Thank You For Your Service And Sacrifice To Our Country. SEMPER-FI