Are You Prepared for Traumatic Brain Injury?

    /24-7PressRelease/ - March 28, 2007 - Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can cause sudden and unexpected incapacitation, leaving loved ones in shock and required to make quick decisions. The damage involves complex processes which can continue long after the initial trauma to the head or brain, making the extent of the injury difficult to assess. Healing can occur sporadically, spontaneously, and can be completely unpredictable.

Many of us have wills to instruct loved ones in how to handle our possession, assets, and affairs, after we die. Some of us have "living wills" to instruct loved ones on what to do if we become incapacitated. However, few people have taken the time to discuss these issues in detail with their families. Traumatic brain injuries can leave their victims suddenly unconscious, in varying levels of responsiveness to stimuli, and dependent on life support. Doctors cannot accurately predict when or if a TBI victim will regain consciousness.

Progressive damage
After the initial trauma, the brain can continue to inflict harm on itself in reaction to the injury. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are always present in the brain, but after trauma they are released in large amounts, destroying the brain's circuits. Nerve cells contain cable-like structures called axons. When nerve cells are stretched or twisted the axons can rip. This also causes a flood of brain chemicals, which can cause swelling and destroy the nerve cells.

In the near future we may have medications, which, if administered quickly after trauma to the brain, can halt or reduce the progressive damage that the brain inflicts upon itself.

States of consciousness
One of the most confusing and controversial aspects of traumatic brain injury is determining a patient's state of consciousness. A permanent vegetative state means that a patient will never be conscious again. A patient in a minimally conscious state (MCS) will occasionally show signs of consciousness, sometimes even speaking. Sometimes people who have been unconscious for years will suddenly wake up, talk, even eat, and then fall unconscious again for an unpredictable length of time. Right now all we know for sure is that if a person is still alive there is a possibility that they may eventually recover.

There is no way to plan for every accident or injury that could ever possibly happen. What we can do is communicate with loved ones and make sure that everyone understands our wishes and that an agreement is reached on what to do if the worst should happen. It is important to talk about when "enough is enough."

Loved ones may have the legal authority to make the decision, but they need to know what it means to you, how long you would choose to wait and see if you will recover and what types of treatment you feel are acceptable. On the same token, merely telling those around you what you would want for yourself is not be enough. You need to know that they are willing to comply with your wishes.

Don't leave your loved ones in the dark, burdened with making life and death decisions for you without guidance. Planning ahead can help ensure the best possible outcome for everyone in the event of catastrophic injuries, such as TBI.

Learn more about being prepared, what to expect, and what to do in case of TBI by talking to an experienced brain injury attorney today.

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