What are the Types & Levels of Brain Injuries?

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Understanding Brain Injuries

A brain injury occurs when the brain sustains damage. Damage may occur through blunt or penetrating force or by way of a medical or genetic condition. Toxic chemicals and extreme heat can also damage the brain.

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are among the most common types of brain trauma. They encompass injuries caused by trauma to the brain. These injuries typically happen when an individual receives a blow to the head that subsequently causes the brain to impact the inside of the cranium or results in stretching or tearing of brain matter and connections.

TBIs are often closed-head or closed-brain injuries, which means the brain has not been exposed. They may, however, result from open brain injuries as well. Open brain injuries typically involve penetrating injuries from bone shards and foreign objects.

Brain Injury Symptoms

Brain injury symptoms may appear immediately or in the hours or days following an injury. It is important to seek medical treatment if you notice any of these symptoms after sustaining a blow to the head.

Some of the most common of these symptoms include:

• Short or long-term loss of consciousness
• Disorientation and confusion
• Problems focusing or concentrating
• Memory difficulties
• Difficulty sleeping
• Oversleeping
• Headaches and vision problems
• Nausea and vomiting.

Each case is different. Some victims may only have one symptom, while others may have multiple.

What Are the Levels of Brain Injury Severity?

Exactly how are brain injuries rated? There are three distinct TBI categories reflecting different levels of brain damage, including:

• Mild (Level 1 Brain Injury): May cause headaches, vomiting, dizziness, and temporary loss of consciousness under 30 mins
• Moderate (Level 2 Brain Injury): Mild TBI symptoms plus slurred speech, various cognitive and mental difficulties, and loss of consciousness for up to 24 hours
• Severe (Level 3 Brain Injury): Loss of consciousness for over 24 hours and symptoms from mild and moderate TBIs

Victims of all types of TBI may also experience memory difficulties that can last weeks, months, or longer. In every case, regardless of the severity of brain injuries, experiencing any symptom related to head trauma should be treated as an emergency, even when mild.

What Are the Types of Brain Injuries?

You may wonder — what are the most common types of brain injuries? There are a range of common types of TBIs, each having the potential to permanently and totally debilitate a person. Many can be grouped into one or more of the following categories.

Contusions

A brain contusion is simply a bruise to the brain. However, it is a serious injury and typically leads to bleeding and swelling inside the brain and skull. They typically come about from blunt-force trauma to the brain as it impacts the inside of the skull. Contusions can appear as discolored areas of the brain, as with bruising on the outside of the body.

Concussions

A concussion is a brain injury that leads to symptoms like difficulty focusing, headaches, memory loss, and, in some cases, loss of consciousness, depending on the concussion severity. Concussions generally fall among the lower levels of TBIs and usually resolve within three weeks. Recovery involves a thorough medical evaluation and rest.

Second Impact Injury

Second impact injury is a second brain injury before a previous brain injury has fully healed. The result can be massive swelling and herniation of the brain. A second brain injury may occur between minutes and weeks of the initial injury, and the consequences are often fatal.

Penetrating Trauma

Penetrating trauma to the brain is devastating as it can permanently destroy brain tissue. Foreign sharp objects, from bullets to car parts, can wreak havoc on brain tissue. Skull and neck fragments can do harm as well.

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