Brain Injury Headings
MEDICAL SUMMARY
RELATED TERMS
LINKS
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Medical summary
Damage to the
brain tissues results from a variety of causes. Injury to the brain may
occur from physical trauma, reduced oxygenation of the blood, some
diseases, exposure to toxic materials and degenerative conditions.
The extent of damage
depends on the areas of the brain affected, as well as the type of
injury. Injuries vary from mild to severe and outcomes depend on the
areas involved.
The function of the brain
includes language, reasoning, perception, sensory, judgment, abstract
thought, problem-solving, memory, motor function and emotions. One or
more of these areas may be damaged resulting in mild to severe
functional impairment.
Symptoms may include
headaches, memory loss, behavior changes, motor impairment, seizures,
sensory changes, speech difficulties and cognitive impairment.
Related terminology
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Acquired brain injury—injury
not present at birth
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Anterograde amnesia—loss
of memory after injury
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Aphasia—acquired
language disorder affecting a person's ability to communicate
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Closed brain injury—damage
occurs as the result of acceleration and deceleration of the brain
tissue against the inside of the skull without penetration of the skull
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Cognition—consciously
knowing thoughts, including reasoning and problem-solving
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Coma—deep state of
unconsciousness
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Contrecoup—bruising
of the brain on the side opposite the injury from the force of the brain
rebounding inside the skull
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Cortical blindness—loss
of ability to see due to a deficit in the visual area of the brain
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Dysphagia—difficulty
swallowing
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Glasgow scale—a
clinical scale used to assess degree of brain impairment using eye
opening, motor and verbal responses. Scores range from 3 to 15.
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Mild = Glasgow score 13 –
15
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Moderate = Glasgow score 9
– 12
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Severe = Glasgow score 8
or lower
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Hydrocephalus—enlargement
of the head
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Hypoxia—reduced
oxygen available to body tissues
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Neuropsychologist—a
psychologist with specialized training and experience in the function of
the brain
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Persistent vegetative
state—loss of cognitive function but the sleep-wake cycle is
retained
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Perserveration—persistence
of one thought
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Rancho scale—a
measurement tool used to assess cognition using eight levels ranging
from no response (level 1) to purposeful and appropriate (level 8)
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Retrograde amnesia—loss
of memory for a period before the injury
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Seizure—disorder in
brain activity affecting its normal function resulting in changes in
consciousness and/or behavior. May occur at the time of injury, within
the first year or later.
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Shunt—use of a
device to bypass from one area to another
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Traumatic brain injury—the
result of external factors
Links to additional
resources
The links below have been carefully selected to provide the best
information regarding brain injury, rehabilitation, research, etc.
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