Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious public health problem. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every day, 190 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI.
TBI's are caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of a TBI may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness (also known as a concussion), to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. (CDC) The leading causes of TBI are falls, strikes to the head during sports, motor vehicle crashes, and assaults.
