Even though acquired brain injuries and traumatic brain injuries sound like they are similar, these two conditions are substantially different in regards to the physiology of the brain impacted and how they are treated. Both of these conditions can change a victim’s life forever. While traumatic brain injuries might sound similar to acquired brain injuries, the two conditions are vastly different based on how patients were harmed and whether a spinal cord injury or other body part was injured in an accident.
The Nature of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a primary cause of fatalities in people 25 years of age and below and represent a third of all trauma-related deaths. More people experience traumatic brain injuries than acquired brain injuries. Concussions (a/k/a traumatic brain injuries) usually happen when an external force is applied to the portion of the brain behind the nose area that is damaged and routinely occurs following collisions or strikes to the head. TBIs commonly result from car crashes. Any head injury that occurs due to an external force can change brain function or brain pathology and is classified as a traumatic brain injury. TBIs can be open or closed injuries, meaning that a significant injury can occur whether or not the actual skull has been pierced.
Car crashes are not the only cause of TBIs, however. Some other common causes of traumatic brain injury include the following:
- Slips and falls
- Sports-related injuries, particularly those related to contact sports like football
- Shaken baby syndrome
- Construction site accidents
The victims of traumatic brain injuries often experience distinct symptoms in the days following an incident. Some symptoms take even longer to occur. Some of these symptoms include memory loss, memory confusion, loss of consciousness, coma, loss of vision, sensory loss, various neurological deficiencies, degraded mental state, vomiting, and death.
The Nature of Acquired Brain Injuries
The Brain Injury Association of America stresses that head injuries are an internal occurrence rather than the result of a congenital, degenerative, or induced disability. Brain injuries are not hereditary or even degenerative. Instead, acquired brain injuries can be received through brain swelling from a tumor, infection, or aneurysm. Acquired brain injuries can result from any damage to the brain. The symptoms or losses of function are common with acquired brain injuries.
Some of the most common causes of acquired brain injuries include the following:
- Alcohol or drug use
- Toxins from AIDS or HIV as well as other diseases
- Near drowning
- Blood infections
- Fights
- Falls
- Mild strokes
Two serious types of acquired brain injuries are anoxic brain injuries and hypoxic brain injuries. Anoxic brain injuries are the result of complete deprivation of the brain. Acquired brain injuries are further divided and defined into three types of injuries:
- Anoxic anoxia is when no oxygen is supplied to the brain
- Anemic anoxia occurs when the blood supply to a person’s brain does not contain sufficient oxygen
- Toxic (cytotoxic) anoxia, occurs when chemical or other toxic substances stop the brain from absorbing oxygen from the blood even though oxygen might exist in adequate amounts in the bloodstream.
Hypoxic brain injuries are the result of partial oxygen deprivation which means that the brain does not receive enough oxygen to maintain normal brain activity.
Speak with an Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
At House Law, we understand that accidents can occur in countless ways. We also appreciate that traumatic brain injuries as well as acquired brain injuries can leave victims and their families facing serious ramifications for the rest of their lives. Contact House Law LLC today to schedule a free case evaluation. If someone else is responsible for your accident, we will help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.
Tags: brain injury, personal injury, traumatic brain injury
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