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BRAIN ANATOMY

Brain Health: At a join meeting at the National Council on Aging and the American Society on Aging in Pittsburgh, neurologist Paul Nussbaum told the audience:

"Autopsies have recently identified people who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, with dead neurons and shrinking brains, but never showed any symptoms. The common denominator was a high level of formal education or occupations that presented rigorous mental tasks."

Brain Injury: In the United States traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death for persons under age 45. TBI occurs every 15 seconds. Approximately 5 million Americans currently suffer some form of TBI disability. The leading causes of TBI are motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries.

What is the difference between a traumatic brain injury and an acquired brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury is an insult to the brain, not of a degenerative or congenital nature, caused by an external physical force. An acquired brain injury is an injury to the brain which is not hereditary, congenital, or degenerative. Causes of acquired brain injuries include traumatic brain injuries, aneurysms, infections of the brain and stroke.

A study from 2002 (Mosenthal, A.C. 2002) confirmed that the mortality rate from TBI is higher in the geriatric population at all levels of head injury.

There are several factors that contribute to the great danger of falls to older individuals, including:

Some elders take medications that may affect perception and/or balance, therefore increasing the risk of falling. Some may have other medical conditions that make falls likely (i.e., visual limitations, orthopedic problems, fatigue...) External factors associated with falls among the elderly include a history of one or more prior falls, lack of exercise, improper footwear, poor nutrition, and hazards in the home like shoes, magazines or books by the walking areas.

Preventing Falls
Even older people (ages 65 and up) should exercise regularly, as daily physical activity will increase a person’s strength and sense of well-being. There are many exercises that improve balance, and health care providers can guide individuals to the exercise program that is best for them.

Improving lighting in the house can help our elders see better, especially at night when then get up to go to the bathroom.

Photos: (1) Intracerebral hemorrhage. (2) Broken blood vessel causing hematoma. (3) The dark area in the upper left area is the hematoma.

The brain is vulnerable to traumatic damage in two ways. The cerebral cortex can become bruised - contused - when the head strikes a hard object (or a hard objects strikes the head). Or, the deep white matter can suffer diffuse axonal injury when the head is whiplashed without hitting a hard object (or being hit by one).

The well-known phenomenon of the Shaken Baby Syndrome (a very serious form of child abuse. Shaking a baby even for only 2 or 3 seconds can cause brain damage.) is an example. Severe shaking greatly stretches and damages delicate nerve cells, at times causing very significant injury or even death. In adults, severe whiplash can involve severe forces that may shake or rotate the brain enough to cause permanent brain damage.

common type of head injury

Overview of this program

How the brain works: its functions, neurobiology and neurogenesis

Learn more facts about the brain and how can we nurture a better brain

Understanding brain injury and what sort of "stimulation" bolster brain cells and cognitive reserve

Learn more about environmental factors than can cause "neurotoxic effects" or brain injury, (metals, solvents, fuels, pesticides, monoxide, and more...)

Coping with Brain Injury: How "over stimulations" like; emotional tension, competitiveness, anxiety and pressure lessen the ability to maintain independence and better brain rehabilitation

How to improve memory, cognition, impaired executive functions, and motor coordination skills. Learn more about brain food and social support networks for a better health

Coping strategies for care-givers adjusting to brain injury

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Peace be with you!