April 16, 2019. Written by Dr. Krista Anderson-Ross.
Doctor’s Data Insight Newsletter
You might be surprised to learn that traffic accidents are the third leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the US, accounting for only 14% of total TBI’s. Blows to the head account for 15%, and falls cause the majority of TBI’s at 47%. The CDC defines a TBI as “a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain.” The resulting primary damage may include shearing/tearing injuries of white matter, focal contusions, hematomas, or cerebral edema. Soon after the primary damage a cascade of metabolic events sets in which can cause secondary brain damage, which may result from the generation of free radicals, release of neurotransmitters, inflammatory responses, calcium-mediated damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and gene activation.