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Inside Brain Injury
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Brain Injury

A brain injury, also called head injury or traumatic brain injury, refers to an injury where there is damage to the brain because of an external blow to the head. A "brain injury" or "closed head injury" occurs when there is a blow to the head as in a motor vehicle accident, being hit on or with a helmet in football, or a fall. In this case, the skull hits a stationary object and the brain, which is inside the skull, turns and twists on its axis (the brain stem), causing localized or widespread damage. Also, the brain, a soft mass surrounded by fluid that allows it to "float," may rebound against the skull resulting in further damage.

There may be a period of unconsciousness immediately following the trauma, which may last minutes, weeks or months. Due to the twisting and rebounding, the traumatically brain injured patient usually receives damage or bruising to many parts of the brain. This is called diffuse damage. An "open head injury" is a visible assault to the head and may result from a gunshot wound, an accident or an object going through the skull into the brain. This type of head injury is more likely to damage a specific area of the brain.   

So called "mild brain injury" may occur with no loss of consciousness and possibly only a dazed feeling or confused state lasting a short time. Although medical care administered may be minimal, persons with brain injury without coma may experience symptoms and impairments similar to those suffered by the survivor of a coma injury which may go on for months or years.