When it comes to brain injuries, many people group them into one category. Whether a person has a stroke or a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the outcomes are usually the same. They might have memory issues, trouble speaking, or difficulty moving.
So, is a stroke considered a traumatic brain injury? We will look at how these two conditions overlap and how they differ from each other.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when some type of outside force causes damage to the brain, per the Mayo Clinic. This can happen from hitting your head in a car accident, falling and striking the ground, or experiencing a blow while playing sports.
TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe. The type of injury determines how much the brain is affected.
Usually, a TBI is caused by external trauma. In these cases, there is a sudden impact or jolt to the head, causing bruising, bleeding, or swelling in the brain. Some of these symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
What Happens During a Stroke?
On the other hand, a stroke happens when the blood flow to a part of the brain is interrupted. Unlike a traumatic brain injury, there is no external force that causes this medical event.
There are two main types of strokes:
- Ischemic stroke: This is the most common type and occurs when a blood clot or blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from reaching part of the brain. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, 87% of strokes fall into this category.
- Hemorrhagic stroke: This happens when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. It causes bleeding and damage to surrounding brain tissue.
In both cases, the lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to brain cell death, which can cause long-term damage.
Some of these symptoms can include:
- Sudden weakness on one side of the body
- Slurred speech
- Difficulty understanding others
A stroke is classified as a non-traumatic brain injury (NTBI). That is a subset of acquired brain injuries (ABIs). These are brain injuries that occur after birth, whether they are caused by something external, like a TBI, or internal, like a stroke, brain tumor, or infection.
Are There Any Overlaps Between Stroke and TBI?
While the causes are different, the effects on the brain can look very similar. Both strokes and TBIs can damage areas of the brain that control movement, speech, memory, or emotions.
In some cases, the conditions might even interact. For example, a severe TBI could damage blood vessels in the brain, which could lead to a hemorrhagic stroke. In situations like this, the stroke becomes a secondary complication of the TBI.
Treatment and Recovery
If you or someone you care about is recovering from a brain injury, here is what you need to know about treatment and possible recovery from these ailments.
For stroke patients, treatment focuses on restoring blood flow as quickly as possible. In ischemic strokes, clot-busting drugs like tPA are often used, while hemorrhagic strokes might require surgery to stop bleeding.
Long-term recovery often includes physical therapy, speech therapy, and medications to prevent future strokes, such as blood thinners or cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Treatment for TBI will focus on reducing swelling or pressure in the brain, stabilizing the injury, and preventing more damage. Many times, rehabilitation is geared toward regaining lost skills.
How Negligence Can Contribute to Strokes and TBIs
When it comes to strokes and TBIs, negligence is not always the first thing that comes to mind. But it can play a heartbreaking role in many of these brain injury cases. Sometimes, these life-altering events could have been avoided if someone had taken proper care or acted responsibly.
For TBIs, negligence often comes from unsafe environments or failures to prevent avoidable accidents. One example is a landlord ignoring a broken handrail, which results in a tenant falling and hitting their head. When basic safety precautions are neglected, the consequences can be catastrophic.
With strokes, negligence tends to happen in medical settings. If someone shows classic stroke symptoms, and their doctor dismisses it as something minor, that could be medical malpractice. A delay in diagnosis can mean the difference between a quick recovery and permanent brain damage. In other situations, negligence could involve failing to manage chronic conditions or prescribing the wrong medication.
Negligence is about missed opportunities to protect someone from harm. And in these cases, they could be liable for a person’s medical bills, lost wages, and other injuries.
While a stroke is not considered a traumatic brain injury, that does not mean it is any less serious or life-altering. And if these injuries were caused by the actions or inactions of another person, you have the right to seek compensation. At Thomas Law Offices, we are available to discuss your options.
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