Traumatic brain injuries are often unpredictable and can happen to any Washington resident. It’s important to understand how this type of injury can affect you in your everyday life.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a catastrophic injury that can have long-term effects. Depending on the part of the brain affected and the severity of the injury, it might affect certain functions but not others. TBIs are caused by serious impact to the head or an object that penetrates the skull and brain. Different types of accidents can lead to a person sustaining a TBI, but two of the most common are falls and car crashes.
What are the different parts of the brain?
The brain is made up of different lobes that control a variety of functions that people often take for granted. The different sections of the brain and the functions they control include the following:
- The frontal lobe is responsible for concentration, awareness, personality, emotions, planning, judgment, problem-solving, initiation and motor planning.
- The temporal lobe is responsible for language, memory, hearing, organization and sequencing.
- The brain stem controls heart rate, breathing, consciousness, sleep and wake cycles and arousal.
- The cerebellum controls motor skills, visual perception, balance and coordination.
- The occipital lobe is responsible for vision.
- The parietal lobe is responsible for touch, manipulation, voluntary movements, understanding and visual attention.
If a TBI affects any of the specific areas of the brain, the person might struggle with functions that are controlled by that part of the brain. For example, a TBI that affects the temporal lobe might result in hearing loss and memory problems.
An accident impacting the head should never be shrugged off. Suffering a TBI is serious and requires medical care. Many people are able to recover with treatment and rehab.