subject: March is Brain Injury Awareness Month [print this page] March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
For an individual who suffers a brain injury, the best chance for a hopeful outcome is rapid access to treatment. If someone suffers a traumatic brain injury while out of the country or in a remote location, access to treatment could mean the need for an air ambulance transport to a hospital that specializes in brain injury treatment.
Throughout the year, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), strives to educate the public about "brain injury and on ways to improve the lives of those individuals living with brain injury and their family and caregivers." The month of March is also dedicated to raising the awareness of brain injuries and its long-term effect on both the sufferer and his or her family.
According to CDC estimates, about two percent of individuals in the U.S. more than five million individuals are dealing with a long-term brain injury. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also a contributing factor to permanent disability and a substantial number of deaths annually. It's estimated by the CDC that the lifetime costs associated with both direct and indirect medical costs for an individual with TBI totaled $60 billion.
A brain injury is sometimes the beginning of a misunderstood and even misdiagnosed neurological disease. A brain injury which could be the result of a sports-induced concussion is an injury that needs timely access to specialized care. Individuals who travel to remote or out-of-the way locations for vacations (think extreme sports) should have information on hand to access the services of an air ambulance in the event of a head injury. Time is of the essence when it comes to being treated and diagnosed.
Here are some symptoms to be aware of if you suffer a head trauma. Keep in mind that some symptoms could appear right after the head injury while others could take days or weeks to manifest:
Loss of consciousness
Headache
Dizziness
Being dazed or disoriented but not losing consciousness
Vomiting
Blurred vision
Mood changes
Drowsiness and fatigue or conversely difficulty sleeping
Prolonged sleep episodes
Individuals should seek medical attention for themselves or for their child anytime they receive a blow to the head. If access to a hospital or trauma facility is not within driving distance, an air ambulance company should be immediately contacted to facilitate transport to a specialized hospital. As with any severe injury, head traumas should be treated as quickly as possible to prevent long-term effects.
(brought to you by http://www.MedicalFlightServices.com)
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