TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND THE MILITARY

    /24-7PressRelease/ - January 28, 2007 - The number one cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the military is the same as that for civilians, namely automobile accidents. Regrettably, those who serve our country are exposed to additional risk factors for TBI. Penetration of the skull by a bullet or shrapnel presents an obvious danger. But closed brain injuries in which the skull remains intact such as those caused by some explosive detonations are far more common. These types of traumatic brain injuries can be sustained directly from a blast wave, which may increase the pressure inside the skull, or indirectly, as when the soldier is thrown against an object.

Advancements in munitions and improvised explosive devices have exposed military personnel to a relatively higher amount of explosive blasts in Iraq and Afghanistan than in previous conflicts. But while improvements in body armor protect soldiers better against potentially fatal penetrative wounds, they are not as adept at protecting against nonfatal blast injuries.

Symptoms of TBI often do not appear until days or weeks after the injury is sustained. Some of the symptoms can also be subtle, such as emotional problems or a personality change. These factors, combined with the fact that some military doctors lack the necessary resources or brain-injury expertise results in many TBI symptoms to be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as psychological in nature.

Because the side effects of a TBI often include emotional and behavioral problems, a discharged soldier with an undiagnosed or misdiagnosed TBI may experience difficulty reintegrating into civilian life or continuing a successful career in the armed services. These side effects can also complicate their personal lives and, because they may not know what is causing them, they lose treatment time that could aid in their recovery.

More serious yet no less common side effects of traumatic brain injury include the loss of motor skills, memory and the senses, making it more difficult for veterans to get a job or care for their families. The lack of a diagnosis also makes military TBI patients personally liable for their own medical bills, compounding financial problems arising out of their lost wages.

The best way to prevent those who serve in the military from sustaining a TBI is through the use of proper helmets and the newest Kevlar body armor. But it is also imperative that our military personnel receive timely diagnoses and treatment for their injuries to prevent the physical and chemical changes to the brain which follow a TBI, such as swelling. Timely treatment can also minimize the personal and financial costs of a TBI to both the soldier and his or her loved ones.

This article is provided courtesy of www.PersonalInjury.com, an attorney-owned and managed website dedicated to providing current information and resources about personal injury claims and related matters. For more information about traumatic brain injuries, please go to http://www.personalinjury.com/brain_injury_lawyers.html.

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