What is a traumatic brain injury and what consequences does it have?: from dizziness and lethargy to death

Soccer and degenerative brain diseases 4:46 (CNN Spanish) — Head injuries (TCE) or traumatic brain injuries are as common as they are potentially dangerous. Suffering a head injury can cause dizziness, lethargy, coma and even death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States, CDC. The causes of this condition can range from a simple fall to car accidents or assault, according to the CDC. Also known as TBI, for its acronym in English, these brain injuries can be very devastating for those who suffer from it. What is and what can cause a traumatic brain injury? The CDC defines a head injury as a “disruption in the normal function of the brain” that is usually caused by a blow, impact, or jolt to the head. One of the most common forms of TBI is a concussion, also known as a mild TBI. They are usually seen in car accidents, such as when a person’s head hits the car’s dashboard or windshield. They are also frequently seen in sports, for example after a soccer player tackles an opposing player and there is head impact. In 2014, nearly 3 million TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths were reported in the US, according to the CDC. More than 830,000 occurred among children. The total number increased 53% since 2006, the CDC said, indicating that brain injuries are on the rise. And in 2019, there were approximately 223,135 head-injury-related hospitalizations and 64,362 deaths in 2020 from this cause in the United States alone, according to the CDC. Head injuries can also be caused by strong shaking, which moves the brain within the skull and causes injury. That can happen when, using the car accident example, the head jerks from the impact but doesn’t actually hit a surface. Traumatic brain injuries have been linked to sports such as football, soccer, and ice hockey, as well as combat injuries in war zones and everyday events such as falls or fights. How dangerous are these traumas? These types of injuries can range from minor to serious. Symptoms of minor injuries include headaches, dizziness, and confusion. However, for moderate to severe brain injuries, symptoms may include severe headaches, lack of coordination, slurred speech, and seizures. Very severe cases can even lead to death. Repeated trauma or tremors to the brain can be even worse, leading to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE. This has been found to be especially common in sports such as American football. NFL players Ray Easterling, Junior Seau, Shane Dronett and Dave Duerson were found to have TBI after a lifetime of repeated blows to the head. They all committed suicide. Duerson left a message for his family and asked that his brain be sent to experts for study. Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre spoke about his memory loss and changes after his NFL career, likely as a result of his many concussions while playing. When a person sustains these injuries, “there is little that can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by the trauma,” according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. But health professionals try to stabilize patients to prevent further damage from trauma, the FDA says. Some numbers about brain injuries In 2020, there were about 64,000 deaths related to head injuries in the United States alone, according to figures published by the CDC, which would be about 176 deaths related to this condition every day. “Head injuries can happen to anyone, at any age, and can cause brain damage,” says the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), noting that they can be caused by car accidents, blows playing soccer, falls accidental, among others. About 75% of head injuries (3 out of 4) that occur each year are minor, according to FDA figures. “If a person has TBI symptoms after a blow to the head, it’s because the brain has been injured,” he adds. Symptoms Symptoms of a head injury are: For mild trauma: Headache Confusion Dizziness Ringing in the ears Memory impairment Blurred vision Changes in behavior Symptoms for moderate to severe head injury may include: Repetitive vomiting or nausea Difficulty speaking Weakness in limbs Thought problems Death “A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing a possible brain injury. The evaluation usually includes a neurological exam. This exam evaluates thinking, motor function (movement), sensory function, coordination, eye movement and reflexes,” says the FDA. — With reporting by CNN’s Leah Asmelash.