Dementia Following Traumatic Brain Injury
Dementia Following Traumatic Brain Injury. There are many different reasons why someone may make a trip to the doctor; however, few injuries are more serious than a traumatic brain injury. Most people associate their identity with their brain, which makes trauma to the head and neck area particularly serious. Furthermore, much of the damage that is dealt with the neurons of the brain could wind up being permanent. According to some of the statistics which have been published by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have shown that:
- Close to three million people visited an emergency room, were hospitalized, or otherwise saw a doctor in 2013 due to an accident involving the head or neck area.
- In the year 2013, a traumatic brain injury was listed as a contributing factor in the deaths of more than 50,000 people.
- In that same year, close to 300,000 people were admitted to a hospital due to concerns that they had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
In the immediate aftermath following a traumatic brain injury, much of the focus is on getting the individual stabilized and treated from a medical perspective. This involves crucial activities such as:
- Getting the individual’s blood pressure stabilized to ensure that appropriate oxygen and nutrients are reaching the neurons of the brain
- Scanning the individual’s head with a CT scan or an MRI to ensure that they haven’t suffered a brain bleed
- Possible emergent surgery to relieve the individual’s intracranial pressure and ensure that the brain does not suffer a herniation.
While all of this is of vital importance, it is crucial not to overlook the recovery process after the injury has been stabilized. Some of these complications can be quite severe.
Dementia Following Traumatic Brain Injury
There had been multiple research studies published that have demonstrated that people can suffer major personality changes, including the early onset of dementia, following a traumatic brain injury.
An individual’s personality is managed by their frontal lobe. This lobe can be damaged following a traumatic brain injury through mechanisms such as:
- A direct, penetrating blow to the brain tissue itself.
- A brain bleed in one of the vessels supplying the front lobe.
- Mass effect damage coming from swelling of the tissue around the frontal lobe.
All of these issues can deprive the cells and neurons of the frontal lobe of vital oxygen and nutrients. This could lead to cell death, called necrosis, which can lead to the early onset of dementia. The frontal lobe controls people’s executive functions, such as:
- Judgment
- Personality
- Coordination of multi-step tasks
Therefore, damage to the frontal lobe, such as in a traumatic brain injury, can lead to early-onset dementia. Those who have noticed that their loved ones are forgetting people’s names, misplacing items, and losing track of the date should make sure that they are evaluated by a trained medical professional as quickly as possible. The sooner treatment is started, the faster the progression of dementia can be stopped.
With the Help of a Legal Professional
Dealing with a traumatic brain injury can be a challenge, particularly when a loved one is having personality changes that impact their relationships with their family members and friends. When people are having issues with the immediate aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, it is a good idea to reach out to an experienced Stockton Brain Injury Lawyer. Dementia following a traumatic brain injury should never be taken lightly because it could fundamentally alter someone’s identity. Be sure to ask for help when it is needed.
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Brain Injury Lawyer in Stockton
I’m Ed Smith, a Stockton Brain Injury Lawyer. Dementia following a brain injury is serious. If you or a loved one has sustained neurological trauma in an accident with a negligent party, you may be entitled to recover financial compensation for your loss. Please contact me for free, friendly legal advice at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400.
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Dementia Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Autoaccident.com
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