How do Traumatic Brain Injuries, also known as TBIs occur?
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that 1.7 million people suffer a brain injury each year in the United States. It also reports that 5.3 million people live with the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. The top three causes of TBI include falls, car accidents, and being struck by an object. Elderly people and young adults have more TBIs than people in any other age category.
How TBIs Occur
Although TBI can have dozens of causes, those listed below are the most common:
Chemical/Toxic: This type of TBI occurs when harmful chemicals or toxins damage the neurons in a person's brain. These can include carbon monoxide poisoning, insecticides, lead, or solvents.
Closed Head Injury: As the most common type of TBI, closed head injuries happen most often due to falls and car accidents.
Diffuse Axonal Injury: This type of TBI occurs when there is a sudden and quick acceleration and the head may or may strike a hard surface. The movement causes the brain to move and stretch. Parts of the brain can die from the force. Assault is the leading cause of this brain injury type.
Hypoxia: This means that the brain went without oxygen and sustained injury because of it. It happens due to heart attacks, drug overdose, sudden low oxygen levels, a blood pressure drop, or respiratory failure.
Infections: Encephalitis and meningitis are two serious infectious brain diseases that can cause TBI and threaten life.
Open Head Injury: An open head injury happens when something penetrates the skull, such as a bullet.
Stroke: A stroke causes an interruption in blood flow to the brain.
Tumor Growth: A tumor that grows on or over the brain can cause long-lasting damage, even after a doctor surgically removes it.
Why It's Important to Know Your Type of TBI
How you acquired a brain injury matters because it affects the severity of symptoms you experience. If you are unsure, ask your doctor for an explanation. Since many forms of TBI affect attention, memory, word finding and fatigue, we are here to help you on the road to recovery.
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Our dedicated team of speech-language pathologists are specially trained in speech therapy as it relates to cognitive-communication issues (how you listen, process, focus, remember, and communicate). We are also nationally certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, are nationally recognized by the Brain Injury Association of America and are Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS). We are licensed to practice in both North Dakota and Minnesota. We believe every patient deserves the best treatment and support we can offer in every single contact and interaction with us.
We recognize that no two people have the same needs and that everyone has different learning styles. That’s why we like to call our approach “the Progressive way,” which means we will happily customize treatment plans to meet the unique needs of the individual and their family. We also believe in “the right fit” between patient and therapist, so will make every effort to match you with a clinician who connects with you, understands you, and utilizes a therapy style that is comfortable for you.
Depending on the goals you wish to accomplish and the learning pace that is most comfortable for you, we will arm you with the evidence-based strategies, proven skills, and ample support you need to feel more organized, prepared, and effective. Therapy strategies may range from recommendations for specific tools (such as timers or planners), one-on-one brainstorming and problem-solving to address concerns, therapeutic activities as well as computer trials or worksheets to help strengthen cognitive and executive functions like attention, memory, and planning.
We know that working on cognitive-communication issues is hard work and that it can be easy to feel defeated or overwhelmed by the challenges of building a more efficient brain. However, you will not be in this alone. We are not just speech-language pathologists; we are fellow human beings who care about you, your journey, and your success. We don’t want an appointment to feel like you’ve been sent to the principal’s office. Instead, you’ll find a comfortable space where you’ll feel listened to and understood. And because humor makes everything more bearable, be prepared to laugh and joke a bit too!