Overview

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, jolt or piercing injury to the head. The injury affects how the brain works and can cause disability and death. In Alaska, the most frequent causes are falls, assault, and transportation crashes (including ATV, motor vehicle, and snowmachine). Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Related health problems can last a few days to a lifetime.

Symptoms & Diagnosis

If you or your family member has suffered a bump, blow, jolt or piercing injury to their head, talk to your healthcare provider about signs and symptoms of TBI. 

  • Sensitivity to light or noise
  • Dizziness or trouble with balance
  • Feeling tired or low on energy
  • Difficulty concentrating or feeling slow or foggy
  • Trouble with memory or thinking clearly
  • Feeling anxious or nervous
  • Feeling emotional, easily irritated, more sad than usual
  • Difficulty falling asleep or sleeping too little or too much

Treatment

Early treatment of symptoms may help you recover more quickly. Early diagnosis and intervention are especially important for younger people because these injuries can affect the way children develop, play and learn. People who have experienced a traumatic brain injury should be seen by a healthcare professional. 

Prevention

Prevent falls

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People can prevent falls among older adults and young children by:

  • Installing safety features at home, like window guards and stair gates
  • Adding ice grips to shoes when needed
  • Keeping walkways clear of ice and snow
  • Testing eyesight and hearing annually
  • Reviewing medications for side effects
  • Getting regular physical activity

Play safely

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Play safely by:

  • Wearing proper-fitting sport specific helmets for riding activities like:
    • Bicycles, scooters, or skateboards    
    • ATVs
    • Snowmachines
    • Riding a horse
  • Wearing helmets during sports like:
  • Ice hockey and football
    • Snowboarding, downhill skiing, ice skating or sledding
    • Talk to young athletes about ways to protect their brain
  • Remove players from a practice or game after a hit to the head

Travel safely

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Travel safely by:

  • Familiarizing yourself with your vehicle's maintenance procedures, like regular inspections and maintenance at specific mileage intervals to help prevent motor vehicle crashes
  • Wearing a seat belt every time
  • Using car seats and booster seats for young children
  • Wearing flotation devices when boating or playing near water
  • Never operating a vehicle of any kind after drinking alcohol or using drugs

Reduce assault

What communities, schools, and professionals can do

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What communities, schools, and professionals can do to reduce assault, a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries:

  • Provide programs in schools and communities that teach healthy relationship skills
  • Provide education on reporting sexual and physical assault
  • Increase availability of services in rural and remote areas for people who've been assaulted
  • Improve training about assault for village police officers, tribal officers and public safety officers

Resources

Related Education

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Other related resources

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