Driving is an important part of a person's independent lifestyle and integration into the community. Because we take our driving skills for granted, it is easy to forget that driving is the most dangerous thing we do in our everyday lives. A brain injury can affect the skills needed to ...
Introduction
Wheelchair breakdowns can injure wheelchair users and limit mobility and social participation. Poor wheelchair maintenance increases the risk of wheelchair breakdowns and personal injury or death, and increases the costs of medical care. The number of users injured from wheelchair breakdowns doubled from 1991 to 2016.
According to a 2016 study, ...
What is Cognition?
Cognition is the act of knowing or thinking. Some thinking abilities that can be affected by TBI include:
Attention and concentration
Processing and understanding information
Memory
Planning, organizing, and assembling
Reasoning, problem-solving, decision-making, and judgment
Monitoring and watching behavior to ensure that it is socially acceptable
Communicating thoughts or ideas in ways that others can ...
Headache is one of the most common symptoms after traumatic brain injury (often called “post-traumatic headache”). Over 30% of people with moderate to severe TBI report having headaches which continue long after injury. An even larger percentage people with mild TBI complain of headache.
Why are headaches a problem after brain ...
How common are sleep problems following a TBI?
Many people who have brain injuries suffer from sleep disturbances. Not sleeping well can increase or worsen depression, anxiety, fatigue, irritability, and one's sense of well-being. It can also lead to poor work performance and traffic or workplace accidents. A review of sleep ...
Introduction
Going back to school is a very important step in a child’s healing after a burn injury. Learning and being with friends is important to your child’s progress. Going back to school helps your child return to a good routine and continue learning important social and academic skills. It is ...
Introduction
Sleep problems occur in more than 50% of people who have had severe burn injuries. Insomnia is the most common type of sleep problem. Insomnia can take many forms, including:
Difficulty falling asleep.
Difficulty staying asleep.
Poor quality sleep.
Waking too early.
Nightmares.
Sleep problems are especially common right after burn injury and during the healing ...
People with SCI are more likely than the general population to have health problems related to not being active. Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of health problems after SCI.
Burn survivors can become frustrated that they still have issues with scarring after their initial burn injury has healed. Hypertrophic burn scars (raised scars in the area of the original burn) are the most common complication of a burn injury and can limit a survivor’s ability to function as well ...
What you need to know?
Your spinal cord injury (SCI) might limit your ability to control your urine. You might not be able to stop urine from flowing, or you might not be able to release it.
Uncontrolled urination or inability to empty your bladder can have a negative effect on your ...
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MSKTC Radio · Memory and Moderate to Severe TBI
Memory and Traumatic Brain Injury
Memory problems are very common in people with moderate to severe TBI.
TBI can damage parts of the brain that handle learning and ...
What is sexuality?
Your sexuality is what guides your natural desire to bond with others through love, affection, and intimacy. Here are a few ways you might express your sexuality.
Emotional connections — feeling close to someone.
Physical contact — acts of touching such as holding hands, hugging, kissing, cuddling, and sexual activity.
Sexual ...
What does the respiratory system do?
Your respiratory system (or pulmonary system) is responsible for breathing. This system enables you to inhale oxygen into your blood and exhale carbon dioxide. Your body needs the oxygen to survive, and carbon dioxide must be removed to avoid the build-up of acid in your ...
Your wheelchair is an important part of your life, so you want to make sure you end up with the right wheelchair that fits your body, preferences, activities and lifestyle.
Wheelchair seating technology is a complex and rapidly changing industry, with new types of wheelchairs and components coming on the market ...
A traumatic brain injury interferes with the way the brain normally works. When nerve cells in the brain are damaged, they can no longer send information to each other in the normal way. This causes changes in the person's behavior and abilities. The injury may cause different problems, depending upon ...
Returning to work after a burn injury can be an important phase of recovery that helps you return to a routine. Work not only provides you with an income and other benefits, but can also give you a sense of purpose and confidence that is critical in maintaining a higher ...
What you need to know?
You may be able to continue driving safely again, depending on how serious your injury is and how much function you have regained.
If you can drive, you may need to buy a vehicle that suits your unique needs after the injury.
Vehicles can be altered with special ...
The way people experience or express emotions may change after a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While this can be distressing for family members and friends, many strategies can help manage these emotional concerns after TBI.
What do I need to know?
Individuals with SCI are at high risk for developing pressure sores.
Pressure sores can be life threatening.
Possible complications:
Infections can develop and spread to the blood, heart and bone.
Amputations
Prolonged bed rest necessary for healing can keep you out of work, school and social activities for months.
Because ...