1. NDBIN
  2. Brain Injury In North Dakota

Different Types of Brain Injury

Brain injuries are often described as either traumatic or acquired based on the cause of the injury.

Two Types of Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, which is caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness and which results in an impairment of cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It can also result in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning.

Causes of TBI

Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. ABIs are caused by some medical conditions, including strokes, encephalitis, aneurysms, anoxia (lack of oxygen during surgery, drug overdose, or near drowning), metabolic disorders, meningitis, or brain tumors.

Causes of ABI

Concussion

Is It JUST a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of TBI caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth.

This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells.

Medical providers may describe a concussion as a “mild” brain injury because they usually are not life-threatening. Even so, the effects of a concussion can be serious!