Disabilities arising from cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor impairments are not readily apparent to the public–unlike a broken leg, for example–is why TBI is referred to as the invisible
epidemic.
For the estimated 5.3 million Americans who live with a TBI-related disability, the financial cost is only part of the burden. The long-term impairments and disabilities associated with TBI are
grave, and the full human cost is incalculable.
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There are several different types and grades of TBI:
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Mild concussion (mTBI): Concussions are the most common type of TBI. Three out of 4 TBIs every year are concussions.
These mTBIs can include brief alterations of consciousness such as feeling “dazed” or loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes. People who have an mTBI can experience confusion for
about one day, which is different from difficulties with attention or memory.
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Moderate TBI: this type of head injury is associated with loss of consciousness for over 30 minutes but less than one day.
Confusion can last for up to one week.
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Severe TBI: individuals with this type of head injury lose consciousness for over one full day. These injuries are typically
associated with changes on head CT or brain MRI.
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Uncomplicated TBI: Head CT/brain MRI are normal, regardless of mild, moderate or severe grade.
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Complicated TBI: Head CT or brain MRI show changes, such as bleeding.
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Closed: Most TBIs are closed. A closed TBI means an outside force causes a blow or jolt to the head that did not penetrate the
skull. This impact injures the brain, causing it to swell.
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Open: Healthcare providers may call open TBI a penetrating TBI. This injury occurs when a bullet, knife or something else goes
through the skull. If the object goes into the brain, it directly damages brain tissue.
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Nontraumatic: Also known as a hypoxic/anoxic brain injury. Some TBIs aren’t from trauma. They can result from strokes,
seizures and events like choking and near-fatal drownings. These incidents can deprive the brain of oxygen (cerebral hypoxia).
In the US alone, there are about 5 million people living with
disabilities caused by TBI.
That accounts for around $48-56 billion is spent
annually on direct and indirect costs related to TBI.