Illinois Valley Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group

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What Is A Brain Injury?

How Many People Have TBI?

What Are The Causes Of Brain Injury?

What Are The Types Of Brain Injury?

What Are Possible Impairments?

Commonly Asked Questions

Is There Any Treatment?

What Is The Prognosis?

What Research Is Being Done?

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What Are The Types Of Brain Injury?

Closed - occurs following a blow to the head without
penetration of the skull, such as car accidents or falls,
which cause the brain to shake within the skull. This
violent movement can cause cuts and/or bruises on the
brain resulting in possible diffuse or generalized
damage.

Penetrating - occurs when an object like a bullet
penetrates or crushes the skull, enters the soft tissue of
the brain. Penetration injuries tend to damage relatively
localized areas of the brain which result in fairly discrete
and predictable disabilities, but may be severe and result
in hemorrhage or infection.

Mild - Is also known as a “concussion.” A brief loss of
consciousness may or may not occur. Often people may
not seek medical attention as they do not believe the
injury is severe enough to warrant treatment. However,
a subtle amount of irreversible brain damage may occur.
“Post-Concussion Syndrome” may follow with
temporary or longstanding headaches, dizziness,
fatigue, nervousness and decreased mental speed.
Concussions are typically associated with a gap in
memory from some point before the injury to some
point following it. The longer the gap in memories, the
more likely the person will have permanent cognitive
and/or personality changes.

Moderate - A moderate brain injury results in loss of
consciousness commonly lasting minutes to hours. A
variety of physical, cognitive and psychological
impairment may occur which should be treated with the
appropriate therapies.

Severe - Severe brain injury occurs when there is
prolonged unconsciousness lasting days, weeks or
longer. Cognitive, physical and psychological deficits
are likely to occur in individuals with severe brain
injuries. Individuals may see significant improvement
in these areas during the first year of recovery and
slower, more gradual improvements in following years.
Despite the recovery, survivors often experience
permanent cognitive, physical and psychological
impairments.