Brain Studies on Traumatic Brain Injuries - 1953 Words

Phineas Gage, a 25 year old construction worker is known as one of the most famous patients that suffered from a traumatic brain injury. While working at a railroad site, an iron tamping rod (43 inches long, 1.25 diameter) went through his left cheek, through his brain, and out the skull. He surprisingly ended up surviving this traumatic injury. After a month in the hospital, he was back out on the street. Once a nice, caring person, Phineas turned into an aggressive man who could not even keep a job. Just like Phineas Gage, a TBI can potentially change everything. Brain studies on traumatic brain injuries are increasing every year. Even though the brain is very functional, brain injuries can have many physical, emotional, social, and†¦show more content†¦Some mild cases may even go unnoticed (Parker 20). Severe cases may include: loss of consciousness for minutes/hours, minimum coordination, slurred speech, seizures, dilation in the eyes, and unusual behavior. These cases m ay potentially be long-term or even forever (Bellamy 30). The effects of a TBI all depends on where the head is injured. The patient may have one to very many different areas of difficulties (Brain Structures and Their Functions). Injuries on the left side of the brain can impact the receptive/expressive language, verbal memory deficits, reactions, logic, and the control of the right side of the body movements (Carter 34). Injuries on the right side of the brain can affect visual memory deficits, music perception, creativity, and the control of the left side of the body movements. About 85 percent of people with TBI, those problems get better, but the other 15 percent have problems that last forever (Cicala 224). Long-term consequences have many different effects. There are four categories that a person with long-term effects may suffer: alteration of consciousness, cognitive difficulties, physical difficulties, and emotional/behavioral difficulties (Bellamy 30). They may have problems thinking, learning, talking, walking, and remembering for the rest of their lives. Any person that has had a brain injury is at risk ofShow MoreRelatedA Study On Traumatic Brain Injury6523 Words   |  27 Pagesparindent{ }Traumatic brain injury is a significant health problem in the United States that is estimated to occur in 1.6-1.8 million persons annually (citealt{faul2010}). Diffuse axonal injury is %the most frequently occurring a common type of traumatic brain injury primarily characterized by damage to the axons (citealt{smith2000, Gennarelli1982}). An improved understanding of the pathophysiology of diffuse axonal injury is needed to develop improved diagnostic tools, protective measures andRead MoreA Study On Traumatic Brain Injury6528 Words   |  27 Pages parindent{ }Traumatic brain injury is a significant health problem in the United States that is estimated to occur in 1.6-1.8 million persons annually (citealt{faul2010}). 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