ABOUT BRAIN INJURY

More than 1.4 million people attend Accident and Emergency Departments in UK Hospitals each year.

Of those, 135,000 are admitted due to the severity of the injuries they have sustained.

The major causes of a head injury are road traffic accidents, falls and accidents at home or work. In more recent years assaults have increased the prevalence of head injury.

As many as 75% of mild brain injuries go unreported and are therefore unassessed by medical professionals. However a brain injury has occurred, it is due to part of the brain either being destroyed, or becoming damaged.

Brain Injury can be either be termed as “Traumatic Brain Injury” (TBI) or “Acquired Brain Injury” (ABI), depending upon the cause.

SOME CAUSES

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

  • Road Traffic Accidents

  • Falls

  • Violence or Assaults

  • Work Related Accidents

  • Sports injuries

Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

  • Stroke (the leading cause)

  • Lack of Oxygen (Hypoxia)

  • Tumours

  • Cancer

  • Brain infections or inflammation

  • Other illnesses and infections

Each Year

0m
people report brain injury each year
0
People admitted due to the severity of the injuries
0%
mild brain injury go unreported

THE EFFECTS

The brain is divided into a number of different sections and each has its own functions. The combination of symptoms that a person with a brain injury experiences therefore depends upon the part of the brain that has been damaged. People with a brain injury present with different parts of the brain damaged, this is why each person’s condition and symptoms are unique to them.

The damaged parts of the brain may also be damaged in different severity depending upon the circumstances and the cause of the original brain injury, therefore the importance of carefully assessing each person in an individual and person centred manner cannot be overstated.

Physical

Headaches  |  Feelings of Dizziness. Nausea / Vomiting  |  Easily upset by noises  |  Difficulties coordinating balance  |  Blurred vision  |  Seizures  |  Changes in sensory perception  |  Difficulties speaking or swallowing  |  Changes in sleep patterns  |  Lack of bowel or bladder control  |  Changes in sexual function  |  Motor impairment (trouble moving body normally)  |  Fatigue

Functional / Emotional Changes

Personality changes  |  Difficulties forming sentences or choosing vocabulary  |  Confusion  |  Trouble communicating  |  Difficulties with reason, focus, logic  |  Memory impairments  |  Depression  |  Poor concentration  |  Mood swings  |  Limited attention span  |  Disorientation  |  Difficulties remembering conversations, general forgetfulness  |  Acting inappropriately

I don’t feel alone anymore, coming across this group of people that understand me, has given me the inspiration to carry on. I feel like I am a part of society again!

Craig

Being a part of the charity & taking on the responsibility in counting and banking the monies we all raise, gives me a great sense of meaning in my life & feeling important as a person.

Leigh

I have been given a new lease of life! My ideas are put into practice; I can now make things in the woodwork area despite being paralyzed on my right side. Making new friends & meeting people in the same position as me, is helping me to move forward with my life!

Steve,

After having my RTA in 2004 being left registered blind/ severe partial sighted, having a brain injury and epilepsy, Brainwave has given me hope that I have a future ahead as I am able to help make deliveries to people who are facing the same challenges as myself. I have been given a new lease of life and quite excited by the things that we are achieving with the charity and community. I love the social interaction as I can meet new people and help others along the way.

Dan,