Brain injury

**Brain injury** means that the brain has been hurt in some way.  Many different things can hurt the brain.  For example, brain injuries can happen before a baby is even born.  These are called **congenital brain injuries.**

A physical injury (trauma) can also hurt the brain (for example, if a person hits their head in a car accident).  These types of brain injuries are called **traumatic brain injuries**.

Many medical problems can also injure the brain.  For example, the brain can get injured if it does not get enough oxygen (for example, during a stroke).

All brain injuries are different.  Some are mild (not very bad); some are severe (very bad).  Some are temporary (they get better); some get better slowly over time; and some never get better.  Also, since the brain controls every part of the body, the symptoms of brain injury can be very different for different people.  This depends partly on what part of the brain was injured, and how badly.
* The mother takes illegal drugs, or medications that are poisonous to the fetus, while pregnant
* The mother has an infection like rubella, chickenpox, or toxoplasmosis while pregnant

### Traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are caused by a physical injury to the brain.  They can happen when the head suddenly hits an object very hard, like in a car accident.  They can also happen when something - like a bullet or knife - goes through the head and into the brain.  It is more common in developing countries.

Experts estimate that the most common causes of TBI in the world are:

Some traumatic brain injuries are mild and can get better with time, like a concussion.  Others are more serious, especially if they cause bleeding or swelling in the brain.

### Other brain injuries
Another major type of brain injury is a **hypoxic brain injury**.  This happens when the brain does not get enough oxygen.  This can happen for many reasons, like:
* Cardiac arrest
* Drowning
* Stroke
* Shock

The brain can also be injured by many other things.  Some examples are:
* Infections like encephalitis and meningitis
* Seizures
* Brain cancer
* Use of illegal drugs or alcohol
* Poisons, like lead

## Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of a brain injury depend on many things.

### Diffuse or focal
A *diffuse* injury hurts the entire brain.  For example, if a person is drowning, and cannot breathe, no part of their brain will get oxygen.  If this lasts long enough, the entire brain will be injured by not having enough oxygen.

A *focal* injury hurts just part of the brain.

* Thinking problems
** Mild symptoms: Getting  easily; feeling confused sometimes; forgetting things easily
** Severe symptoms: Unable to ; getting very confused; unable to remember important things, people, or parts of life; intellectual disability
* Problems with the senses
** Mild symptoms: Being  to bright lights and sounds
** Severe symptoms: Hearing loss; vision loss
* Changes in feelings
** Mild symptoms: Mood changes; depression; anxiety
** Severe symptoms: Long-lasting depression or anxiety; severe, sudden mood changes or aggression; changes in personality
* Trouble moving
** Mild symptoms: Feeling 
** Severe symptoms: Trouble walking; weakness in the arms or legs; trouble with balance

## Recovery
There are many different treatments that may help people with brain injuries.  For example:
* Physical therapy can help people re-learn how to move, walk, and balance themselves
* Occupational therapy can help people practice how to do everyday things, like getting dressed and making meals
* Speech therapy can help people who are having trouble speaking after their brain injury
* Psychotherapy can help with depression, anxiety, mood changes, and stress

## References