Types of brain
injury
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A brain injury is any event that changes the way the brain works, either for a short time or in a lasting way.
Types of brain injury
A brain injury means the brain has been hurt — sometimes by something external, like a fall or accident, and by something internal, like a stroke, lack of oxygen, or infection. Brain injuries that happen after birth, Acquired Brain Injuries, are usually grouped into two main categories: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and non-traumatic brain injury. Within those categories, there are several types, each affecting the brain in different ways.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
This happens when something outside the body — like a fall, bump, accident, or blast — impacts the brain. Some examples are:
- Concussion: The most common, often healing with rest and care.
- Contusions: Bruises on the brain that doctors monitor closely.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries: When the brain gets shaken and sore in two spots.
- Diffuse axonal injuries: When the brain’s connections are affected, often requiring time and therapy to heal.
- Penetrating or blast injuries: Less common, but involving direct damage from an object or explosion.
Non-Traumatic Brain Injury
This type isn’t from a blow to the head, but from something happening inside the body. Examples include:
- Lack of oxygen /Cerebral Hypoxia: After events like cardiac arrest or near drowning.
- Stroke: When blood flow is blocked or bleeding occurs in the brain.
- Tumours: Either the tumour itself or its treatment.
- Infections: Like meningitis or encephalitis.
- Toxins or substances: Such as carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Illnesses that slowly affect brain cells: Such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
What matters most is not the label, but the journey. With medical care, rehabilitation, and the support of loved ones, many people discover resilience, new strengths, and fresh possibilities after a brain injury. Healing may take time but hope and progress are always possible.
Levels of brain injury severity
Doctors may also use terms like mild, moderate, or severe to describe how the brain was affected. These words are meant as guides for care — they don’t determine the outcome of recovery.
Mild
Moderate
Severe
Mild
Moderate
Severe