Traumatic Brain Injury: Causes, Symptoms, and Care

Understanding traumatic brain injury is crucial for recovery and support. Learn about its causes and effects.

Introduction

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is damaged by a violent blow or shock to the head. It has the power to alter one’s thoughts, behavior, and emotions. This page provides a straightforward explanation of TBI, including its origins, signs, and physiological impacts. Additionally, it demonstrates how nurse practitioners and chiropractors may collaborate to promote healing (Mayo Clinic, 2023; Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged by an external factor. Although the brain is protected by the skull, internal injuries may still occur after a severe blow. TBI may be severe, resulting in a prolonged coma or disability, or minor, similar to a concussion. Each year, millions of individuals suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) from sports, auto accidents, or falls (Mayo Clinic, 2023). All of our actions are controlled by the brain. Issues may arise immediately after injury or weeks later. Early intervention is crucial (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Common Causes of TBI

TBI starts with a strong force to the head or body. Here are the main causes:

• Falls: The top reason, especially in kids and older adults. Slipping in the shower or falling off a ladder can cause TBI (Mayo Clinic, 2023).
• Car accidents: High-speed crashes shake the brain inside the skull.
• Sports injuries: Football, boxing, and soccer players often get concussions.
• Violence: Gunshots, assaults, or shaken baby syndrome.
• Blast waves: Soldiers in war face TBI from explosions (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Even a small bump can cause mild TBI if the brain moves rapidly within the skull (Hicks et al., 2020).

Symptoms of TBI

Symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. They can appear in the body, mind, or feelings.

Right-Away Signs

• Losing consciousness for seconds or minutes.
• Headache that will not stop.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling dizzy or losing balance.
• Blurry vision or ringing in the ears (Mayo Clinic, 2023).

Later Signs

• Trouble remembering new things.
• Slow thinking or reading.
• Hard time focusing.
• Feeling sad, angry, or worried.
• Sensitivity to light and noise.
• Sleep problems such as insomnia or excessive sleepiness (Cleveland Clinic, 2023; Silverberg et al., 2018).

A chiropractor or nurse practitioner can find hidden signs by asking detailed questions about the accident and daily life (Jimenez, n.d.-a).

How TBI Affects the Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system includes muscles, bones, and joints. TBI often hurts this system because the force hits the whole body.

• Neck pain and stiffness: Whiplash in car crashes strains neck muscles and spine.
• Back pain: The spine can shift out of place, causing long-term pain.
• Poor posture and balance: Brain signals to muscles get mixed up, making walking hard (Treleaven, 2017).
• Muscle weakness: One side of the body may feel weak after severe TBI.

Spinal misalignment can press on nerves and slow healing. Chiropractors check the spine with gentle tests to spot these issues (Jimenez, n.d.-b).

How TBI Affects the Neurological System

The neurological system is the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. TBI directly damages this network.

• Slow nerve signals: Thinking and moving feel delayed.
• Seizures: Electrical storms in the brain.
• Nerve pain: Tingling or burning in arms and legs.
• Coordination loss: Hands shake or feet trip (Ellis et al., 2017).

Questioning reveals whether light bothers the eyes or whether noise causes headaches—clues to nerve irritation (Silverberg et al., 2018).

How TBI Affects Vital Organs

TBI can reach organs far from the brain through swelling and stress.

• Heart: Blood pressure swings; heart rate becomes uneven.
• Lungs: Breathing problems if the brain stem is hurt.
• Gut: Nausea, poor digestion, or constipation from nerve disruption.
• Liver and kidneys: Medicines for pain can strain these organs if not watched (Khellaf et al., 2019).

A nurse practitioner orders blood tests to check organ health and adjust care (Jimenez, n.d.-c).

Uncovering Hidden Problems with History and Questions

Good questions act like a map to hidden TBI effects. A chiropractor or nurse practitioner asks:

• “When did the injury happen?”
• “Do bright lights hurt your eyes?”
• “Do you feel sick after reading?”
• “Any new pain in your neck or back?”
• “How is your sleep?”

These answers guide exams. Gentle spine checks show tight muscles. Balance tests reveal wobbly steps. The provider connects dots between the brain, spine, and organs (Jimenez, n.d.-a; Haider et al., 2018).

A Hidden-Symptom Checklist Example You Can Bring To Your Visit

Visual Problems After TBI

Eyes and brain work as a team. TBI breaks the link.

• – Double vision.
• – Trouble tracking moving objects.
• – Light sensitivity (photophobia).
• – Dry eyes or blurry sight (Cleveland Clinic, 2023).

Simple eye tests in the office spot these issues early (Green et al., 2010).

Nausea and Digestive Signs

Immediately after a TBI, nausea is typical. If the vagus nerve is agitated, it may persist. Patients may have reflux or feel full too quickly. The nurse practitioner may recommend soft meals based on a thorough diet history (Blyth & Bazarian, 2010).

Neurological Issues: Slow Thinking and Reading

The brain’s processing speed is slowed by mild TBI. A page takes longer to read. Finding words seems difficult. For new information, memory lapses. Cognitive assessments follow progress and gauge the gap (McInnes et al., 2017).

Sensitivity to Light and Noise

Normal lights and noises might cause agony for those who have photophobia or phonophobia. Overactive brain circuits are the cause. While treatment helps reduce nerve pain over time, dark glasses and quiet spaces are helpful in the short term (Silverberg et al., 2018).

Sleep Issues Like Insomnia

Sleep heals the brain. TBI breaks the sleep cycle.

• Hard to fall asleep.
• Waking often.
• Daytime fatigue.

Poor sleep slows recovery. A sleep diary guides the care plan (Wickwire et al., 2018).

Why an Integrative Approach Works

Integrative care requires teamwork. The body’s structure and nerves are fixed via chiropractic therapy. When providing treatment, nurse practitioners consider the whole scope of health. They reduce setbacks and hasten recovery when combined (Jimenez, n.d.-d; Gardner & Yaffe, 2015).

Chiropractic Care for Nervous System and Musculoskeletal Health

Chiropractors use hands-on methods:

• Spinal adjustments: Gentle pushes realign the spine, ease nerve pressure, and boost blood flow to the brain.
• Soft-tissue therapies: Massage relaxes tight neck and back muscles.
• Targeted exercises: Balance drills and core strength rebuild coordination (Navarro et al., 2018).

These steps improve brain signals and reduce pain without drugs (Coronado et al., 2015).

Nurse Practitioner’s Medical Oversight

The nurse practitioner:

• Orders brain scans if needed.
• Manages pain, mood, or seizure medications.
• Checks blood work for inflammation or hormone balance.
• Guides nutrition to feed the brain (omega-3s, antioxidants).
• Watches emotional health and refers to counseling (Haag et al., 2019).

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Feeling Better Than Ever After a Semi-Truck Accident- Video

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Building a Holistic Treatment Plan

A full plan blends body, mind, and lifestyle.

1. Week 1–2: Rest, gentle neck adjustments, nausea control.
2. Week 3–6: Add soft-tissue work, light aerobic exercise, and sleep routine.
3. Month 2–3: Balance training, cognitive puzzles, stress management.
4. Ongoing: Monthly check-ups, diet tweaks, and home exercise.

Patients track symptoms in a simple journal. The team reviews progress every two weeks (Jimenez, n.d.-e; Cnossen et al., 2017).

Real-Life Observations from Dr. Alexander Jimenez

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, treats patients with TBI in El Paso, Texas. He notices:

• Neck misalignment often hides behind headaches.
• Early spinal care cuts recovery time by weeks.
• Teamwork with medical providers prevents medicine overload.
• Simple home balance drills speed return to work (Jimenez, n.d.-f; Jimenez, n.d.-g).

His dual training lets him spot both spine and medical red flags fast.

Long-Term Outlook

With the right plan, most people with mild TBI will feel better in a few months. Moderate to severe cases require extended care, yet continue to show improvement. Staying on the integrative path increases the likelihood of complete functionality (Maas et al., 2017).

Conclusion

Traumatic brain injury affects every part of life, from mood to muscles. The first step is to learn about the causes and symptoms. A detailed history can reveal hidden effects on the nerves, muscles, and organs. Chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, and exercises help the body return to its former state. Nurse practitioners use their medical knowledge to protect people’s health. This all-encompassing, integrative plan helps patients get back to enjoying life every day.

 

References

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• Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Traumatic brain injury (TBI). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8874-traumatic-brain-injury
• Cnossen, M. C., van der Naalt, J., Spikman, J. M., Nieboer, D., Yue, J. K., Winkler, E. A., Manley, G. T., von Steinbuechel, N., Polinder, S., Steyerberg, E. W., & Lingsma, H. F. (2017). Prediction of persistent post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 34(20), 2940–2947. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29690799/
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• Haider, M. N., Leddy, J. J., Pavlesen, S., Clark, J., Wilber, C. G., & Willer, B. S. (2018). A systematic review of criteria used to define recovery from sport-related concussion in youth athletes. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 52(18), 1172–1179. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5818323/
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• Jimenez, A. (n.d.-b). Spinal alignment and TBI recovery. Dr. Alex Jimenez. https://dralexjimenez.com/
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