 Members of a Royal Thai Air Force parachute team and U.S. Air Force jumpmasters jump from the back of an aircraft as they conduct high-altitude low-observance jumps over a drop zone in Thailand earlier this month. (DoD by Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young, U.S. Air Force/Released) |
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If you are a military member, you are at increased risk for sustaining a TBI compared to your civilian peers. Why?
- In general, young men between the ages of 18 to 24 are at the greatest risk for experiencing a TBI
- Operational and training activities can be dangerous
- Increasing deployment to areas where warriors are at risk for experiencing blast exposures
Experiencing a TBI can happen in garrison and even during activities you do for fun, such as climbing mountains, parachuting and riding your motorcycle. Here we have provided general facts about TBI that every service member, veteran and family member should know.
What is a TBI?
A TBI is the result of a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. However, you should know that not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The different degrees of TBI include: Mild, Moderate and Severe TBI.
Concussion or mild TBI is caused by events that entail a blow or jolt to the head, where one doesn’t necessarily become unconscious. Experiencing multiple concussions within a short period of time can provoke more severe damage than might be warranted by the last injury suffered alone.
- Ninety percent of TBIs are mild, and those who sustain them usually recover completely within 1 to 3 months
Moderate TBI results in an event-related period of loss of consciousness and observable deficits such as ongoing confusion for days to weeks.
Severe TBI is characterized by an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury.
What are some symptoms of TBI?
If you think you've experienced a TBI, get it checked out so you can return to action.
What are some tips to aid in the recovery from TBI?
- Get plenty of sleep at night and rest during the day
- Return to normal activities gradually
- Remember to use helmets and safety belts to decrease your risk of having a second brain injury
- Don’t drink alcohol; it may slow your brain recovery and it puts you at risk of further injury
Find more helpful tips here.
*We encourage you to visit BrainLine.org where you’ll find tons of resources for the entire military family regarding brain injury, and while you’re there, check out the videos of service members sharing their personal stories of living with TBI. There are resources out there to help you.
*Listen to Dot Mil Docs' recent podcasts on "Concussions" and "Brain Injury in Theater," featuring DCoE traumatic brain injury experts Dr. James Kelly and Col. Mike Jaffee.
*Throughout the month of March, stay tuned to our Brain Injury Awareness Month online event on Facebook, where you will find frequently updated information.