Brain Injury
Everything you wanted to know, but did not know who to ask.
FAQ's
The brain controls everything we do, say, think and feel. It controls the very functions that keep us alive: breathing, circulation, digestion, hormones and the immune system. It is through the brain that we experience emotion and express ourselves. Because the consistency of the adult brain tissue is like Jell-O and the consistency of a child’s brain tissue is like pudding, the brain is very vulnerable to injury. The brain floats in a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid and is encased by the skull, which has very rough areas on the inside surface that have the potential to damage the brain.
When the brain is injured, a person’s abilities and bodily functions may change. In general, the more serious the injury, the more significant and permanent changes are likely to be. Some changes caused by brain injury may be subtle but have a major impact on the way a person lives their life.
Brain injury can happen to anyone, anywhere, at anytime. There are two types of brain injury: traumatic brain injury and acquired brain injury. Both types of injury can damage specific areas of the brain or cause a diffuse injury, which affects cells throughout the entire brain.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. A rapid acceleration or deceleration of the head, which can force the brain to move back and forth inside the skull, can also cause TBI. The stress from these rapid movements pull apart nerve fibers and cause damage to the brain tissue.
Acquired Brain Injury (ABI): ABI is an injury to the brain that has occurred after birth and is not hereditary, congenital or degenerative. ABI takes place at the cellular level within the brain; most symptoms of ABIs are very similar to those of TBIs.
The Brain Injury Alliance of Montana supports Montanans of all ages affected by both types of brain injury.
Prevention
Motor Vehicles
Buckle up every time you’re in a vehicle, whether you’re driving or riding along.
Make sure kids are safely secured in the right car seat, booster, or seat belt for their size and age.
Stay sober behind the wheel, and keep handheld devices out of your hands while driving.
Recreational Safety
Firearm Safety
Store firearms unloaded in a locked cabinet or safe.
Keep ammunition separate in its own secured location.
Restrict access so children and unauthorized people cannot reach keys or combinations.
Helmet Safety Wear a properly fitted helmet—and make sure children do the same—when engaging in any of the following:
Riding a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile, or all‑terrain vehicle
Playing contact sports such as football, ice hockey, or boxing
Using in‑line skates or riding a skateboard
Batting or running bases in baseball or softball
Riding a horse
Skiing or snowboarding
Avoid Falls By...
Making sure the surface on your child’s playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood, mulch, and sand.
Using a step stool with a grab bar to reach objects on high shelves
Installing handrails on stairways
Installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows
Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around
Removing tripping hazards such as small area rugs and loose electrical cords
Using non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors
Putting grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower
Maintaining a regular exercise program to improve strength, balance, and coordination
Seeing an eye doctor regularly for a vision check to help lower the risk of falling
Major Causes of Brain Injury
- Falls
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Assaults
- Sports-related concussions
- Strokes
- Aneurysms
- Diseases, such as encephalitis
- Near drowning
- Family Violence
- Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)
Common Symptoms of Brain Injury
Every brain injury is unique. As a result, there are no universal rules to how a brain injury will affect a particular person. Most people who sustain a brain injury will experience some changes, at least temporarily. Some people may try to hide these changes and some people won’t notice them, but often friends and family will see the difference. It’s important that the individual with the brain injury, and the people supporting him/her, understand that these alterations are a result of damage to the brain; the individual probably isn’t acting or behaving differently on purpose or to be difficult. Physical, cognitive and emotional changes from a brain injury can occur immediately after an injury; however, it may take some time for the symptoms to appear.
Cognitive Changes
Short-term or long-term memory loss
Slowed processing of information
Impaired judgment
Trouble concentrating or paying attention
Difficulty keeping up with conversation; trouble finding words
Spatial disorientation
Difficulty organizing or problem solving
Inability to do more than one thing at a time
Difficulty with language or speech production
Life After Brain Injury
Physical Changes
Seizures
Fatigue, increased need for sleep
Insomnia
Sensory loss or impairment
Blurred or double vision
Headaches or migraines
Trouble with balance and dizziness
Decreased motor abilities
Sexual dysfunction
Muscle control and balance problems
Ringing in the ears
Keep Your Head Up!
Emotional Changes
Depression, grief over loss of ability, or chemical changes caused by the injury
Anxiety, restlessness, agitation
Lower tolerance for stress
Irritability, frustration, impatience
Mood swings
Impulsiveness and lack of inhibition
Emotional flatness and passivity
The good news is that many people improve with rehabilitation and active participation in daily activities. While some brain cell damage is permanent, healthy brain cells can often compensate over time. Support services across Montana, including the Brain Injury Alliance of Montana, are available to help you through recovery and connect you with rehabilitation resources.
So, What Now?
Many survivors find strength and understanding in local support groups and through resources from BIAMT. Life after a brain injury can be challenging, but you are not alone — there are people who truly understand what you’re going through. We can help. Reach out to connect with others, find practical resources, and get the support you need to move forward.