Being fully aware of the consequences of brain injury is important for health-conscious Californians looking to reduce the impact of these injuries. In addition to their immediate physical effects, brain injuries also have links to many other serious medical conditions, as described by Medicinenet.com.
Seizure disorder, also known as epilepsy, is a condition that can actually occur as a result of brain injuries. Seizures take place when neurons in the brain transmit abnormal signals, which causes a loss of consciousness, changes in mood or behavior and muscle spasms. While many of those afflicted with epilepsy go on to lead relatively normal lives, a disorder known as status epilepticus can develop, which is characterized by extended seizures and a reduced state of consciousness. Epilepsy is typically treated with medication or surgery, although changes to diet can also be helpful.
While less well-known, aphasia is an equally serious condition that affects victims of severe trauma to the head. Aphasia results from significant damage to the parts of the brain responsible for language, meaning those suffering from aphasia will have difficulty speaking and understanding words or issues with reading and writing. To this end, aphasia is categorized as fluent (comprehension of spoken and written language) or non-fluent (communicating orally or with written words).
Head injuries can even influence the risk of stroke in some cases. NPR.org reports on a purported link between patients undergoing emergency medical care related to head trauma and the occurrence of strokes. According to a review of their medical records, these patients had a 30 percent greater chance of experiencing a stroke than those without significant brain trauma. While the exact cause has yet to be determined, medical professionals posit that blood vessels injured due to trauma play a role in this increased risk.
