The main difference between a traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury (TBI and non-TBI) is how they happen. A traumatic brain injury is the result of external force, such as a blow to the head, a fall or whiplash. A non-traumatic brain injury is the result of an internal reason. Some causes of non-traumatic brain injury include stroke, tumor, infection and lack of oxygen.
Both types of brain injury are considered acquired brain injuries as opposed to congenital, related to a degenerative condition, or trauma that occurs at birth. This means they have a cause that’s not genetic or present at birth. Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are both degenerative conditions, so these are not considered TBI or non-TBI.
There are some common misconceptions about brain injuries to be aware of. In this blog post, we’ll address some of them as well as the causes, symptoms, and recovery differences between traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury is caused by an external force. This isn’t necessarily the same thing as direct impact. TBI can happen anytime the brain is moved or jostled inside the skull. For instance, a person might develop a TBI after a car accident, even if they didn’t hit their head. In general, any type of physical damage to the brain caused by outside forces is considered traumatic.
Some potential causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Slip and fall
- Violence
- Whiplash
- Gunshot wound
- Car accident
- Sports injury
- Explosion
- Shaken baby syndrome
What is a non-traumatic brain injury?
A non-traumatic brain injury is caused by internal processes that don’t involve physical force. This could be due to a disruption in blood flow, bleeding, an infection, exposure to toxins, a tumor or lack of oxygen. The brain is also sensitive to changes in metabolism. An extreme reduction in glucose levels, liver failure or kidney failure can also cause a non-TBI.
Some potential causes of non-traumatic brain injury include:
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Extreme changes in metabolism
- Infection
- Infectious disease
- Autoimmune reaction
- Tumor
- Exposure to toxins
- Apoxia (lack of oxygen)
What are the potential symptoms of acquired brain injuries?
Each brain injury is unique, so there’s a lot of variation in people’s experiences. This is where some of the misconceptions come into play. People may not lose consciousness during a mild TBI, so in many cases, people don’t seek treatment right away. Symptoms may continue to show up months or years later. Some mild brain injuries are missed because they don’t show up on imaging tests. Doctors should pay attention to reported symptoms, and there are blood tests that can identify brain injuries.
Short-term symptoms of acquired brain injuries may include:
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Vision changes
- Poor coordination
- Headaches
- Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth or changes in the ability to smell
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Loss of consciousness — momentary or longer periods
- Being dazed, confused or disoriented
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Agitation
- Unusual behavior
- Feeling depressed or anxious
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sleeping more than usual
People should always seek treatment for any kind of brain injury. Early detection and treatment can lead to better outcomes. Depending on the parts of the brain that are affected and the type of damage, people may continue to see symptoms long after the initial injury. In some cases, new symptoms can come up later in life.
Symptoms and complications that may affect people months or years after a brain injury include:
- Cognitive problems, affecting memory, learning, reasoning, judgment, and focus or concentration
- Problems with executive functioning, including problem-solving, planning, organizing, decision-making and task initiation
- Problems with speech, writing or communication
- Trouble reading body language or participating in conversations
- Ongoing sensory problems such as blind spots, bad smells, ringing in the ears and more
- Emotional changes and mental health conditions
- Lack of inhibition
- Risky or impulsive behavior
- Seizures
- Pressure or swelling in the brain
- Blood vessel damage
- Vertigo or dizziness
- Infections
- Degenerative brain conditions
What does the recovery process look like for traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury?
Contrary to popular belief, sleep is usually recommended for people who have a TBI. As long as you can carry on a conversation, you can walk without difficulty and your pupils aren’t dilated, it’s safe to go to sleep. The brain needs lots of sleep to repair and recover. People should be monitored for new or persisting symptoms in the days after a brain injury. Rest from physical and mental activity for at least a few days is usually recommended.
People may need immediate emergency care to maintain healthy circulation of blood and oxygen in the body. Certain medications can help limit brain damage and control symptoms after an injury. Care providers may administer anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs or diuretics. In severe injuries, surgery may be needed to repair structural damage or relieve pressure inside the skull. Care providers may continue to monitor vitals and pressure levels during recovery.
Most people will need some form of rehabilitation after a moderate or severe brain injury. It usually begins in the hospital and may continue in an outpatient medical rehabilitation clinic like Ability KC or an inpatient facility. Rehabilitation may involve relearning to do basic activities, such as swallowing, feeding oneself, walking and talking. Patients may also work on activities of daily living, such as dressing and showering. At Ability KC, we also help people with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). These are more complex tasks like managing finances, meal planning and preparation, or cleaning and home maintenance.
Our neuropsychology team is experienced in providing personalized care and rehabilitation to people who have brain injuries. Rehab begins with an extensive assessment. We help determine exactly how each patient’s condition is affecting their body and their life. Then we review the results and plan with patients and their caregivers. Our patients work with a dedicated team of nurses, therapists, specialists and other care providers.
Ability KC care teams may include:
- The patient and their family
- Physical therapists and PT assistants
- Occupational therapists and OT assistants
- Speech-language pathologists
- Case manager
- Social worker
- Registered nurses and other nurses
- Rehab psychologist or neuropsychologist
Explore rehabilitation for traumatic and non-traumatic brain injury at Ability KC
The road to recovery from traumatic or non-traumatic brain injuries looks different for everyone. With the right care, symptoms can continue to improve many years after the initial injury. At Ability KC, we provide integrated care to help each person reach their highest potential. We help our patients understand what they need and redefine what independence means to them. Then we work on building the skills and resources necessary to bring that vision to life.
Living with a brain injury can be a very isolating experience. It doesn’t have to be. It helps to be surrounded by a community of experts and peers who understand what you’re going through. Emotional support is just as important as medical treatment and therapy.
Rehabilitation at Ability KC includes family and group therapy sessions. We help family members and caregivers learn how to provide the best support for their loved one. We also facilitate group conversations to help patients process what they’re going through. Hearing stories from other patients can be a great source of hope. It’s also therapeutic to share thoughts and feelings in a nonjudgmental space so you can feel seen and heard.
Are you considering medical rehabilitation programs for yourself or a loved one? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
You can trust Ability KC because we’re a designated Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). We also have accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).