What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month; therefore, it's an appropriate time to take a deep dive into what a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is, how it can be prevented, and how to recognize the signs and symptoms. A TBI is an injury caused by an outside force affecting the brain. It can be caused by a blow, jolt, or foreign object entering the brain. TBIs range in severity and can be short-term or long-term, with symptoms ranging from a headache to severe permanent disability (1).

What happens to the brain during a TBI? 

What exactly happens to the brain during a TBI varies depending on the severity of the injury, as well as which type of TBI occurred. On the milder side, a concussion is a type of TBI that can occur. This is when your brain slightly moves inside of your head (2). Another common issue that occurs after a TBI is a diffuse axonal injury (1). This is when your brain rapidly moves or twists inside your head and is one of the most severe forms of TBI that causes the breakdown of communication between nerves in your brain and often leaves individuals in a comatose state.

How to avoid TBI’s

Unexpected events happen throughout our lives. While we cannot change the unpredictability of life, we can take precautions to be more prepared in situations like these. Here are some simple ways you can avoid serious injury following a TBI (3). 

• Always wear a seatbelt when driving or riding as a passenger in a car. 
• Always wear a helmet when biking, skiing, skateboarding, horseback riding, or playing any type of contact sport. 
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or let someone else drive you under the influence. 

Stay physically active to protect joint and bone strength to prevent falling and reduce the risks of falling. 

What are the signs or symptoms of a TBI?

It is crucial for individuals who have suffered a TBI to seek care from a healthcare professional promptly. Sometimes, the symptoms of a TBI appear immediately, while at other times, the damage can manifest some time after the accident. This is why it's essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms indicating that someone may have experienced a TBI so you can refer them to a nearby emergency department for further medical attention.

Signs and symptoms of a TBI include:

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness 
• Blurry/double vision
• Pupil dilation or unequal pupil size 
• Nausea 
• Confusion 
• Fluids draining from ears or nose 
• Ringing ears 
• Unexplained bad taste in the mouth 
• Loss of coordination 

If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms after an accident or incident involving a head injury, please seek further medical attention at Watauga Medical Center Emergency Department or Cannon Memorial Hospital Emergency Department.


Whether you are enjoying the winter weather skiing or riding your bike in the sun, playing sports with your friends, or driving around– take an extra step to protect yourself and your loved ones.  

References: 

(1)  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2024). Traumatic Brain Injury. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi

(2)   Cleveland Clinic. (2024). Concussion. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15038-concussion

(3)   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Preventing TBI. https://www.cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/prevention/index.html#:~:text=You%20Can%20Prevent%20Traumatic%20Brain,Ski%20or%20snowboard