What is a severe brain injury?
A severe brain injury occurs when trauma to the brain produces a significant neurological injury, resulting in physiologic changes to a person’s brain. Four types of injury may cause trauma to the brain: • Closed head injuries occur when the brain tissue is injured by hitting the inside of the skull. This can cause bleeding, bruising, tissue damage and increased intra-cranial pressure or fluid buildup • Penetrating injuries include open fractures of the skull, gunshot wounds, and the entry of any foreign object into the brain • Anoxic injuries occur when the lack or reduction of oxygen causes brain cells to die • Toxic injuries are caused by exposure to certain toxic chemical agents, which can cross the blood brain barrier and damage or kill brain cells.
A severe brain injury occurs when trauma to the brain produces a significant neurological injury, resulting in physiologic changes to a person’s brain. Four types of injury may cause trauma to the brain: • Closed head injuries occur when the brain tissue is injured by hitting the inside of the skull. This can cause bleeding, bruising, tissue damage and increased intra-cranial pressure or fluid buildup • Penetrating injuries include open fractures of the skull, gunshot wounds, and the entry of any foreign object into the brain • Anoxic injuries occur when the lack or reduction of oxygen causes brain cells to die. • Toxic injuries are caused by exposure to certain toxic chemical agents, which can cross the blood brain barrier and damage or kill brain cells.
