There are different reasons why someone can experience brain damage, from an injury at birth to a catastrophic brain injury or even cancer as an adult. Brain damage can be mild or severe, temporary or long-lasting.
Any kind of brain damage or injury must be treated swiftly by an experienced medical professional in order to stop further damage to the brain. Here are some leading causes of brain injury or damage:
Physical Injury
Physical trauma to the skull and the brain can result in mild, moderate, or severe brain injury. The most common forms of physical injury to the brain are traumatic brain injury (TBI) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE):
- CTE – Too many concussive incidents could result in CTE, which actually affects how the brain functions and may result in behavioral changes or emotional or violent outbursts. CTE came to light as medical professionals started to notice trends in professional football players who had suffered multiple concussions over the course of their careers.
- TBI – A mild form of TBI is a concussion. A TBI can result from one specific event, such as a car accident or an explosion. Symptoms include headache, vision changes, grogginess, or loss of consciousness. If you notice these symptoms, call your doctor or 911 right away.
Stroke
Stroke is more prevalent in older adults, but it can strike people of all ages. A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked or restricted, so immediate medical care is essential for survival. That’s because brain cells start to die soon after the oxygen supply is cut off.
When looking for symptoms of stroke, remember the word FAST:
- Face drooping
- Arm weakness
- Slurred speech
- Time is of the essence – call 911
Disease
There are several different types of conditions that can cause brain damage:
- Infection can affect the brain, including encephalitis and meningitis.
- Inflammation can be caused by many things, including autoimmune diseases, in which the immune system wrongly attacks the body and, sometimes, the brain.
- Degenerative diseases can attack different parts of the brain and brain connectivity, such as in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Genetic conditions that cause inborn errors of metabolism (IEMs) may lead to brain damage. These conditions are present at birth and prevent the patient’s body from being able to make the critical substances needed for healthy brain and nervous system development.
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
It’s well-known that drug and alcohol abuse can lead to a variety of long-term memory problems. The chemicals in alcohol and some drugs directly affect and alter brain function. Some damage caused by continued abuse includes:
- Memory loss
- Alterations to mood and personality
- Changes in the brain’s physical structure
- Extreme anxiety
- Paranoia and psychosis
Hypoxia Caused by Accidents
Accidents can also cause brain damage when critical oxygen supply to the brain is cut off. These accidents can lead to loss of adequate oxygen, also called hypoxia.
- Drowning can result in brain damage, even when the victim has been rescued and survives.
- Complications during delivery of a baby can result in brain damage if the oxygen supply to the baby’s brain is interrupted.
- Surgery incidents involving problems with anesthesia can result in brain damage.
Neurosurgeons in Colorado
If you are looking for an experienced neurosurgeon to evaluate and treat a brain injury, or if you would like an evaluation, schedule a consultation with our skilled medical team here at Front Range Spine and Neurosurgery. The brain has special powers to heal itself, but time is of the essence when it comes to neurological injury and brain disease.
Contact us today by calling us at (303) 790-1800 or fill out our online appointment request form now. We look forward to seeing you here.
